NATURAL METHODS OF SEWAGE

DISPOSAL
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்
நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.
-குறள் 391
Let a man learn thoroughly whatever he may learn, and let his conduct be worthy
of his learning.
Natural methods of sewage disposal
• These methods are broadly divided into two
categories:
• Disposal by dilution
• Disposal by land treatment.
STANDARDS OF DILUTION
Dilution Standards of purification
factor
Above 500 No treatment is necessary. The raw sewage can directly be
discharged into the volume of dilution water.
300 to 500 The preliminary treatment should be given to the sewage and
the content of suspended solids should not exceed 150 p.p.m.
150 to 300 The preliminary treatment including the chemical precipitation
should be given to the sewage and the content of suspended
solids should not exceed 60 p.p.m.
8 to 150 The sewage should be treated extensively. The content of
suspended solids should not be more than 30 p.p.m. and 5-day
B.O.D. should not exceed 20 p.p.m.
Less than 8 The sewage should be completely treated before it is thrown
into water for dilution.
Types of natural waters available for Disposal
• Creeks
• Estuaries
• Ground waters
• Lakes
• Ocean or sea
• Perennial rivers and streams
Comparison of Sewage Dilution
No. Item Dilution by sea Dilution by river or stream

I Condition of sewage after Usually anaerobic condition Mostly remains aerobic

discharge leading to formation of sludge
banks and giving foul odour
2 Dissolved oxygen About 20% less than river or More
stream
3 Maximum sewage load No limit Will depend on the quantity of
water in river or stream
4 Penetration of sun's rays Less due to turbid water More due to clear water

5 Solids in suspension More Less

6 Specific gravity More Less

7 Suitability Suitable for towns and cities Suitable for towns and cities on
having sea shores banks of big rivers or streams.
 Self-purification of natural waters
Degradation zone
Active decomposition zone
Recovery zone
Clear water zone
Degradation zone
• This zone is situated just near the point of entering sewage into the
stream.
• The water is turbid with, dark colour.
• The decomposition of solid matters takes place in this zone and the
anaerobic decomposition prevail.
• Organic solids are deposited along the course of stream called sludge,
banks.
• Green algae slowly disappear and blue algae are found in their place.
• Dissolved oxygen level falls from 100% saturated level to 40%. Game
fish disappear in this zone
Active decomposition zone
• The water is greyish and darker than the previous zone.
• The objectionable odours prevail and scum may also be seen on the surface
in this zone.
• Dissolved oxygen level falls to zero
• Algae disappear and fungi and scavenging fish appear.
• But in the later half of this zone, the rate of re-aeration dominates the rate
of deoxygenation.
• Dissolved oxygen level rises from zero to 40% of saturated value again.
• Water colour becomes lighter, turbidity diminishes and odorous gases
subside.
• Algae reappear and fungi disappear now.
Recovery zone
• In this zone, the stabilization of organic matters takes place and the
B.O.D. of water is reduced.
• The contents of dissolved oxygen start rising up above 40% of the
saturation value.
• The bacterial load decreases as the food supply of bacteria
diminishes. Sewage is oxidized and stabilized.
• Water becomes clear, rate of deoxygenation becomes negligible
compared to rate of re-aeration.
• Aerobic conditions are reestablished after peak anaerobiosis
Clear water zone
• In this zone, the stream attains normal conditions as were prevailing
before sewage was discharged into it.
• Water becomes clear, colourless, odourless and free from turbidity.
• Game fish and green algae again reappear.
• The stream may regain a dissolved oxygen level of 100% saturation
value.
Sources of O2
• Rain
• Tides/waves
• Surface air

Actions involved in self-purification

• Dilution
• Oxidation
• Reduction
• Sedimentation
• Sunlight
Streeter-Phelps Equation
Disposal using Land
• Actions involved
• Biological action
• Chemical action
• Physical action
Biological action
• When sewage is applied on land, the soil bacteria attack on it and
convert the contents of sewage into plant food
• This food is utilised by roots of crops.
• The decomposition of organic matter of sewage may occur under
aerobic conditions or under anaerobic conditions.
• It is preferable to provide aerobic conditions for the disposal of
sewage by land treatment.
• This interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide may take place in
different ways such as wind movements, differences in temperature
and pressure, drainage of soil, etc.
• Chemical action: When sewage is applied on land, its organic matter
is oxidised by the soil bacteria by the chemical process of oxidation
• Physical action: The physical action involved is the process of
filtration. The physical action mainly depends on the nature of soil.
The porous loamy or sandy soil is the most suitable for satisfactory
filtration. The heavy soils like clay and nearby land are less suitable
for filtration and the rocky soils are quite unsuitable for filtration.
• Methods of applying sewage
• Sprinkler or spray irrigation
• Sub-surface irrigation
• Surface irrigation.
Sprinkler & Sub-surface irrigation
Surface irrigation
• Basin method
• Flooding method
• Furrow method
• Managed turf method
• Zigzag method.