Contamination of Groundwater by Septic tank Percolation Systems

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1275-1279 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ebers ◽  
W. Bischofsberger
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Silty Sand ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Good Efficiency ◽  
Household Wastewater ◽  
Soil Filtration ◽  
Kjeldahl Nitrogen ◽  
Fine Gravel

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the barely treated wastewater of about 7 million people is percolated into the soil. Groundwater quality has now become a major concern, and investigations into soil filtration as a means of eliminating pollution from household wastewater have been started. Experiments with six laboratory lysimeters (diameter = 0.4 m, height = 1.8 m) are described. Three lysimeters were filled with slightly silty sand, the other three with fine gravel sand. All lysimeters have been in operation for about two years. Initially they were loaded with mechanically treated wastewater from a municipal treatment plant and later with effluent from a septic tank. Hydraulic loading varied from 0.5 to 31 cm/d. Results showed good efficiency for fine gravel sand (aerobic conditions) in removal of BOD 5 (98.0 to 99.2%), COD (88.0 to 92.8%) and Kjeldahl nitrogen (90.0 to 91.3%). Elimination of phosphate ranged from 5.7 to 86.0%. Slightly silty sand (anaerobic conditions) showed the best results in elimination of phosphate (86.0 to 99.3%) and relatively good elimination rates were achieved for BOD5 (65.0 to 98.2%) and COD (about 76%). Elimination of Kjeldahl nitrogen ranged from 39.6 to 68.4%.

Wastewater Treatment by Soil Absorption Systems

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 311-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ebers ◽  
W. Bischofsberger
Keyword(s):  
Silty Sand ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Loading Capacity ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Hydraulic Loading ◽  
Total Phosphate ◽  
Kjeldahl Nitrogen ◽  
Fine Gravel

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the barely treated wastewater of about 7 million people is percolated into the soil. Groundwater quality has now become a major concern, and investigations into soil filtration as a means of eliminating pollution from household wastewater have been started. Experiments with six laboratory lysimeters (diameter = 0.4 m, height = 1.8 m) are described. Three lysimeters were filled with slightly silty sand, the other three with fine gravel sand. All lysimeters have been in operation for about two years. Initially they were loaded with mechanically treated wastewater from a municipal treatment plant and later with effluent from a septic tank. Hydraulic loading varied from 0.5 to 31 cm/d. Results showed good efficiency for fine gravel sand (aerobic conditions) in removal of BOD5 (98.0 to 99.2 %), COD (88.0 to 92.8 %) and Kjeldahl nitrogen (90.0 to 91.3 %). Elimination of phosphate ranged from 5.7 to 86.0 %. Slightly silty sand (anaerobic conditions) showed the best results in elimination of phosphate (86.0 to 99.3 %) and relatively good elimination rates were achieved for BOD5 (65.0 to 98.2 %) and COD (about 76 %). Elimination of Kjeldahl nitrogen ranged from 39.6 to 68.4 %. The results for the two soils can be summarized as follows: Fine gravel sand: high hydraulic loading capacity (aerobic conditions); high elimination rates of BOD5 and COD; high elimination rates of ammonium by nitrification; very low elimination of total phosphate. Slightly silty sand: low hydraulic loading capacity and, despite this, anaerobic conditions; high elimination rates of BOD5 and barely inferior elimination rates of COD in comparison to fine gravel sand; low elimination rates of ammonium; very high elimination rates of total phosphate.

scholarly journals The Efficiency of Nitrogen Compounds Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plant

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Monika Suchowska-Kisielewicz ◽  
Aleksandra Sieciechowicz ◽  
Zofia Sadecka
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Nitrogen Compounds ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Kjeldahl Nitrogen

Abstract In sewage treatment plants for removing nitrogen compounds are used biological processes of nitrification and denitrification. The parameters determining the efficiency of biological processes of nitrogen removal are organic carbon ratio (BOD5) to total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), temperature and pH. The impact of these parameters on the operation of the sewage treatment plant with an RLM of 45,000 based on operational data from the period 2011-2013 has been assessed. The efficiency of removing nitrogen compounds from sewage in the analysed treatment plant depended on the temperature of sewage and the quotient BOD5/TKN. Even at the optimal ranges of BOD5/TKN ratio temperature at 10°C nitrogen concentration in the treated wastewater was about 3 times higher than the limit value, and the removal efficiency of nitrogen varied between about 30 to 60%.

scholarly journals Greywater Sources, Characteristics, Utilization and Management Guidelines: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Treatment Level ◽  
Oil And Grease ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
The Government

Greywater is defined as a domestic wastewater that is uncontaminated by direct contact with human excreta. Sources of grey water include kitchen sinks, showers, baths, washing machines and dishwashers. Most greywater streams produce effluents high in dissolved contaminants and low in turbidity and suspended solids. As global water resource supplies are worsening and water shortages will affect 2.7 billion people by 2025, resulting in poverty and famine. Reusing greywater is a good way to solve this water shortage problem. As greywater contains fewer pathogens than domestic wastewater (black water), it is safer to handle, easier to treat and reuse onsite for toilet flushing and landscape or for crop irrigation and other non-potable uses. Greywater use in gardens or toilet systems helps to achieve some of the goals of ecologically sustainable development including: (a) reduced freshwater extraction from rivers and aquifers, (b) less impact from septic tank and treatment plant infrastructure, (c) reduced energy use and chemical pollution from treatment plants, (d) groundwater recharge and (e) reclamation of nutrients. However, the biological oxygen demand (BOD), surfactants, oil and grease, detergent residues (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfate, ammonium, sodium, and chloride) must be considered when handling greywater streams. Several countries have developed guidelines for the reuse of treated greywater to flush toilets and irrigation systems for ornamental garden and lawn watering, depending on the type of grey water and treatment level. Many developed and developing countries have established regulations and guidelines for greywater treatment and reuse. However, some countries have strict rules compared to others. Egypt appears to be a world leader in the treatment and reuse of wastewater and has several laws in place for treatment options and selection of crops to be irrigated with treated wastewater. Given the water shortage in Egypt and the growing population, the government of Egypt imparked on several mega projects of 4-level wastewater treatment throughout the country for use in agricultural production.

Effect of Wastewater on the Soil and Irrigation Process: A Laboratory Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athar Hussain ◽  
Manjeeta Priyadarshi ◽  
Saif Said ◽  
Suraj Negi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Surface Water Resources ◽  
Industrial Sewage ◽  
Concentration Levels

Most of the industrial sewage effluents used for irrigation contains heavy metals which cause toxicity to crop plants as the soils are able to accumulate heavy metal for many years. The vegetables grown for the present study were irrigated with treated wastewater brought from a nearby full-scale sewage treatment plant at different compositions along with tap water as a control. The concentration levels of the Cd, Co, Cu, Mn and Zn in the soil were found to below the toxic limits as prescribed in literature. Daily Intake Metals (DIM) values suggest that the consumption of plants grown in treated wastewater and tap water is nearly free of risks, as the dietary intake limits of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. The Enrichment Factor for the treated wastewater irrigated soil was found in order Zn> Ni> Pb> Cr> Cu> Co> Mn> Cd. Thus, treated wastewater can be effectively used for irrigation. This will have twofold significant environmental advantages: (1) helpful to reduce the groundwater usage for irrigation and (2) helpful to reduce the stress on surface water resources.

An improved small sewage treatment plant for biological purification of wastewater

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Voigtländer ◽  
E.-P. Kulle
Keyword(s):  
Energy Supply ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Additional Energy ◽  
Anaerobic Reactor ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Operational Costs ◽  
Aerobic Reactor

The paper presents a small sewage treatment plant (package plant) operating without additional energy. Purification of sewage is achieved in a three-step process: sedimentation tank, anaerobic reactor and wastewater pond or aerobic reactor. The efficiency of the anaerobic reactor - in contrast to the efficiency of a common septic tank - is significantly increased by using fixed biomass systems. Further degradation of sewage compounds by adhering microorganisms occurs in pond or aerobic reactor. The bed for the aerobic biomass is made of a semipermeable plastic film and arranged in order to ensure simultaneous supply of oxygen. The three pilot plants are showing different results. The main aims of research i.e. lowering of operational costs, energy supply, minimizing of maintenance expenditure and cleaning work, reliability of degradation efficiency have been achieved so far for the anaerobic reactor.

UV-disinfection of treated wastewater: possible effects on surface waters

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gschlößl
Keyword(s):  
Uv Irradiation ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Bathing Water Directive ◽  
Flowing Waters

UV-irradiation as an effective method of diminishing germs in the outlet of wastewater treatment plants was studied in a half-scale pilot-project sponsored by the State of Bavaria/BRD for a period of 3 years. Technical, physical and biological parameters capable of influencing this process were examined. The possibility to improve the hygienic and also the ecological structure of receiving waters was put to discussion. Possible effects of formed bypproducts upon the water biocoenosis of rivers were pointed out. The results demonstrated that UV-irradiation can diminish the number of germs in the outlet of a treatment plant to an extent which is sufficient to guarantee the maintenance of the bacteriological and presumably also the virological values set by the EC Bathing Water Directive. Nevertheless the UV-treatment process requires further technological development and research work concerning i.e. the improvement of hydraulic conditions, coat-forming on the quartz sleeves of the lamps, photochemical forming of by-products, after-growth and effects upon the localised benthic flora and fauna of the receiving water. It has to be stressed that a significant improvement of the bacteriological structure of flowing waters is only attainable, if the influx from non-point sources can be reduced simultaneously.

Experimental procedures characterizing transformations of wastewater organic matter in the Emscher river, Germany

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Løkkegaard Bjerre ◽  
T. Hvitved-Jacobsen ◽  
B. Teichgräber ◽  
D. te Heesen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Batch Reactors ◽  
River Rhine ◽  
Quality Changes ◽  
Ruhr District ◽  
Wastewater Quality

The Emscher river in the Ruhr district, Germany, is at present acting as a large wastewater collector receiving untreated and mechanically treated wastewater. Before the Emscher flows into the river Rhine, treatment takes place in a biological wastewater treatment plant. The transformations of the organic matter in the Emscher affect the river catchment, the subsequent treatment and the river quality. This paper focuses on evaluation of methods for quantification of the microbial transformations of wastewater in the Emscher with emphasis on characterization of wastewater quality changes in terms of biodegradability of organic matter and viable biomass. The characterization is based on methods taken from the activated sludge process in wastewater treatment. Methods were evaluated on the basis of laboratory investigations of water samples from the Emscher. Incubation in batch reactors under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions were made and a case study was performed. The methods described will be used in an intensive study of wastewater transformations in the Emscher river. This study will be a basis for future investigations of wastewater quality changes in the Emscher.

Solids Concentrations in a Treatment Plant Effluent

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9-11) ◽  
pp. 2543-2546
Author(s):  
M. Defrain ◽  
F. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Federal Republic ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Analysis Procedure ◽  
Process Water ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Output Variable ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Sewerage Network

In the calculations customarily used to dimension nitrification and denitrification plants in the Federal Republic of Germany, solids in the influent of the biological stage represent a significant output variable. Numerous modified methods based on nationally and internationally standardized analysis procedures are available to determine solids concentrations in waste-water. Tests showed that different values are measured depending on the method of analysis employed. Harmonization of the analysis procedure is advisable to ensure comparable conditions for the calculation of activated sludge tank volumes. The solids reaching a treatment plant originate from two main sources. Filterable materials are passed to the treatment plant via the preceding sewerage network with its industrial and commercial users, but are also carried by process water from sludge treatment. The influence of process water on wastewater composition is illustrated by reference to the Wuppertal-Buchenhofen treatment plant.

Wastewater services for small communities

2003 ◽  
Vol 47 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 65-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gray ◽  
N. Booker
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cost ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Treated Effluent ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Effective Removal ◽  
Regional Treatment

Connection to centralised regional sewage systems has been too expensive for small-dispersed communities, and these townships have traditionally been serviced by on-site septic tank systems. The conventional on-site system in Australia has consisted of an anaerobic holding tank followed by adsorption trenches. This technique relies heavily on the uptake of nutrients by plants for effective removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from the effluent, and is very seasonal in its efficiency. Hence, as these small communities have grown in size, the environmental effects of the septic tank discharges have become a problem. In locations throughout Australia, such as rural Victoria and along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, septic tanks are being replaced with the transport of sewage to regional treatment plants. For some isolated communities, this can mean spending $20,000-$40,000/household, as opposed to more common connection prices of $7,000/household. This paper explores some alternative options that might be suitable for these small communities, and attempts to identify solutions that provide acceptable environmental outcomes at lower cost. The types of alternative systems that are assessed in the paper include local treatment systems, separate blackwater and greywater collection and treatment systems both with and without non-potable water recycling, a small township scale treatment plant compared to either existing septic tank systems or pumping to a remote regional treatment facility.The work demonstrated the benefits of a scenario analysis approach for the assessment of a range of alternative systems. It demonstrated that some of the alternatives systems can achieve better than 90% reductions in the discharge of nutrients to the environment at significantly lower cost than removing the wastewater to a remote regional treatment plant. These concepts allow wastewater to be retained within a community allowing for local reuse of treated effluent.

Possible impact of treated wastewater discharge on incidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in river water

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Iwane ◽  
T. Urase ◽  
K. Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
River Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Wastewater Discharge ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Process ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant

Escherichia coli and coliform group bacteria resistant to seven antibiotics were investigated in the Tama River, a typical urbanized river in Tokyo, Japan, and at a wastewater treatment plant located on the river. The percentages of antibiotic resistance in the wastewater effluent were, in most cases, higher than the percentages in the river water, which were observed increasing downstream. Since the possible increase in the percentages in the river was associated with treated wastewater discharges, it was concluded that the river, which is contaminated by treated wastewater with many kinds of pollutants, is also contaminated with antibiotic resistant coliform group bacteria and E.coli. The percentages of resistant bacteria in the wastewater treatment plant were mostly observed decreasing during the treatment process. It was also demonstrated that the percentages of resistance in raw sewage are significantly higher than those in the river water and that the wastewater treatment process investigated in this study works against most of resistant bacteria in sewage.

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