Section 2                                                                                                                       TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Collection Systems
Wastewater Collection                                                                                                   A wastewater collection system gathers the
                                                                                                                         used water from homes and businesses and
      Systems                                                                                                            conveys it to a wastewater treatment facility
                                                                                                                        The used water comes from kitchens and
                                                                                                                         bathrooms or different processes of homes,
                                                                                                                         businesses and industries
                                                                                                                        Additional water can also enter the collection
                                                                                                                         system from groundwater, surface water, and
                                                                                                                         stormwater
                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Collection Systems                                                                                          Wastewater Collection Systems
   The system must be kept in good operating                                                                           Proper operation and maintenance of the
    conditions because if it fails…                                                                                      collection system is a way to protect the
       Blockages occur in the lines resulting in                                                                        capital investment the community has made in
        wastewater backups into homes and businesses                                                                     the system so that it performs its intended
       Raw wastewater can bypass the treatment facility                                                                 function and be used efficiently throughout the
        resulting in contamination of surface waters and                                                                 planned life of the system
        public health issues                                                                                            This is achieved by trained collection system
       Streets collapse – leaking sewer mains saturate                                                                  operators who use manual and power
        the ground surrounding the pipe and eventually
                                                                                                                         operated equipment to install, inspect, and
        wash away the bedding materials leaving a void
        that can cause a collapse in the street above
                                                                                                                         repair the system to keep it running
                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Collection Systems
    “The better collection systems
     operators are trained to do
    their jobs, the more effectively
    a wastewater treatment plant                                                                                                       Intro to Wastewater
                                                                                                                                                 Treatment
      can do its intended job.”*
                                                                                                                                     Why do we treat waste?
* Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems – Vol. I, 7 th Edition
                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        18                                                                            Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                           Section 2
Purpose of Wastewater Treatment                                                                 What is Pure Water?
   To protect the environment and public health                                                                         Water is made up of two hydrogen
    by:                                                                                                                   atoms and one oxygen atom
       Removing solids                                                                                                  “Pure” water is manufactured in
       Stabilizing organic matter                                                                                        labs, even rain and distilled water
       Removing pathogenic organisms                                                                   H2O               contain other substances called
                                                                                                                          impurities
                                                                                                                         The majority of wastewater is just
                                                                                                                          water, a much smaller portion are
                                                                                                                          wastes
                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Waste Solids                                                                                    Types of Waste
                                                                                                   Organic waste
 Total solids                                                                                      ◦   Contains carbon                                           Sucrose
 Dissolved solids                                                                                  ◦   Will use up oxygen in water
 Suspended solids                                                                                  ◦   More food = More bugs = More oxygen used
       Settleable                                                                                 Inorganic waste
       Nonsettleable                            Dissolved
                                                  Solids
                                                               500 mg/L                             ◦   Salts    ◦   Gravel
   Floatable solids        Total Solids
                                                                                     720 mg/L
                                                                                                    ◦   Metals   ◦   Sand
   Organic and                                  Colloidal
                                                  Solids
                                                               70 mg/L
                                     Suspended
    inorganic solids                   Solids
                                                 Settleable
                                                                          220 mg/L
                                                                                                   Both may come from domestic or industrial waste
                                                               150 mg/L
                                                                                                    Collection system job is to get all solids to WWTP
                                                  Solids
                                                                                                
                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Organic Waste                                                                                   Importance of Organic Matter
   Domestic wastewater contains a large amount of                                                 Organic material consumes oxygen in water
    organic waste                                                                                      Bacteria will “feed” on organic matter and most
   Industries also contribute some amounts of organic                                                  need oxygen to be able to do this
    wastes                                                                                             We want these bacteria to “feed” on the organic
   Some of these organic industrial wastes come from                                                   matter and use it up in the treatment plant and not
    vegetable and fruit packing, dairy processing, meat                                                 in our receiving water
    packing, tanning and processing of poultry, oil, paper                                       High concentrations of organic material can
    and fiber                                                                                     cause taste and odor problems in recreational
                                                                                                  and drinking water
                                                                                                 Some material may be hazardous
                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                              Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                        19
        Section 2                                                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Oxygen Depletion                                                                       Oxygen Depletion
   When organic wastes are discharged to a                                             Most living creatures, including fish, need
    receiving stream bacteria begin to feed on it,                                       oxygen to survive
    these bacteria need oxygen for this process                                         In water this oxygen is present as dissolved
       As more organic waste is added to the receiving                                  oxygen
        stream, the bacteria reproduce                                                        Most fish can survive with at least 5 mg/L DO
       As the bacteria reproduce, they use up more oxygen,
        faster than it can be replenished by natural diffusion
        from the atmosphere
       This can potentially cause a fish kill and odors
                                                                                                                                                      O2
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Dissolved Oxygen                                                                       Oxygen Depletion
   There are two important factors that
    can influence the amount of dissolved
    oxygen present:
       Water Temperature
           Greater temperature  Less DO
           Lower temperature  More DO
       Organic matter
                                                                                          One of the principal objectives of wastewater
           Organic material requires oxygen to
            decompose                                                                      treatment is to prevent as much of this “oxygen-
           More organic material requires more DO,                                        demanding” organic material as possible from
            and will tend to deplete water of DO                                           entering the receiving water
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Water Pollution                                                                        NPDES Permit
   Any condition caused by
    human activity that
    adversely affects the
    quality of stream, lake,
    ocean, or groundwater
                                                                                          National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
                                                                                              Required by the Federal Water Pollution Act
                                                                                               Amendments of 1972 to help keep the nation’s water
                                                                                               suitable for swimming and for fish and other wildlife
                                                                                              Regulates discharges
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        20                                            Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                      Section 2
Treatment                                                                                   Human Health
                                                                                               Initial efforts for wastewater treatment came
                                                                                                from preventing disease outbreaks
                                                                                                   Most bacteria in wastewater are not harmful to humans
 The treatment plant actually removes the                                                         Humans who have a disease caused by bacteria or
                                                                                                    viruses can discharge some of these pathogens
  organic matter the same way a stream would
                                                                                                   Many serious outbreaks of communicable diseases have
  in nature, but it works more efficiently by                                                       been traced back to contamination of drinking water or
  removing the wastes in secondary treatment                                                        food from domestic wastewater
 The treatment plant is designed and operated                                                 Good personal hygiene is
  to use natural organisms such as bacteria to                                                  your best defense against
  stabilize and remove organic matter                                                           infections and disease
                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                        Cryptosporidium              Cholera                Typical Wastewater
Diseases                                                                                    Characteristics
   Bacteria
       Cholera
       Dysentery                                                     Giardia                  Fresh wastewater is usually a grey/dishwater
       Shigella                                                                                color
       Salmonella                         Dysentary                                               Typically septic wastewater will have a black color
       Typhoid
   Viruses                                                                                    Fresh domestic wastewater has a musty/earthy
       Polio                                                                                   odor
       Hepatitis (Jaundice)                                         Hepatitis
                                                                                                   If the wastewater is allowed to go septic, this will
   Protozoa                              Polio                                                     change significantly to a rotten egg odor associated
       Giardia lamblia                                                                             with the production of hydrogen sulfide gas
       Cryptosporidium parvum                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Treatment Processes                                                              Preliminary Treatment
    Preliminary                   Primary                 Secondary                          The main goal of preliminary treatment is to
    Treatment                    Treatment                Treatment                           remove as many solids as possible from the
   Screening                                                                                 wastewater stream
   Grit Removal
   Preaeration                                                                              This is accomplished by passing the
   Flow Metering and Sampling
                                                                                              wastewater through screens to filter out large
   Tertiary
                                 Disinfection
                                                            Solids                            solids and then slowing the water down to
Treat. (Advanced)                                         Treatment                           settle out smaller solids
                                                                                             Solids are removed and treated as solid waste
                                                                                              and not treated with the dissolved solids in the
                                                                                              wastewater
                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                          Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                       21
            Section 2                                                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    Solids                                                                                Preliminary Treatment
       Cause many problems in                                                                    Solids Screening
        collection and treatment                                                           Variations: bar racks,
        plant systems                                                                       mechanical rotating, rotary
           Fill storage areas, clog                                                        drum screen
            ditches and channels                                                           Must be cleaned regularly to
           Interfere with mechanical                                                       prevent restriction of flow
            systems
                                                                                           Failure to keep a bar screen
           Associated with
            taste/color/clarity                                                             clean can also result in a
            problems in drinking water                                                      shockload
                                                                                           Removes roots, rags, cans…
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    Preliminary Treatment                                                                 Preliminary Treatment
                                                                                           Aerated Grit Chamber
                                                                                           1 ft/sec flow through
                                                                                            grit chamber
                                                           Muffin Monster                  Used to remove grit –
                       Solids Shredding
   Comminuter – device used to reduce the size of the                                      heavy, mainly inorganic
    solid materials in the wastewater by shredding                                          solids (sand, egg shells,
   Smaller solids can be settled out and cause less                                        gravel, seeds, etc.)
    problems with pumps downstream                                                           Aeration also freshens wastewater and
   Can help with clogging problems from rags and wipes                                       helps remove floatables
   Solids are not removed by a comminuter
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    Wastewater Treatment Processes                                                        Primary Clarifier
        Preliminary             Primary                 Secondary                                     Cross section of circular clarifier
        Treatment              Treatment                Treatment
                         Sedimentation and Flotation
       Tertiary                                           Solids
                              Disinfection
    Treat. (Advanced)                                   Treatment
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center
            22                                          Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                   Section 2
                                                    Scum removal
Primary Clarifier                                                                Wastewater Treatment Processes
                                                                                     Preliminary                 Primary                Secondary
                                                                                     Treatment                  Treatment               Treatment
                                                                                                                                      Biological Treatment
                                                                                                   Mechanical                         Sedimentation
     Rectangular clarifier
   Goal of primary treatment is settle out more solids                             Tertiary                                              Solids
                                                                                                             Disinfection
   Velocity drops to < 1 fps                                                    Treat. (Advanced)                                      Treatment
   Separates settleable and floatable solids
   Detention time ~ 1.5-2.0 hrs
   Raw water is gray
                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Secondary Treatment                                                              Biological Constituents
 The main goal of secondary treatment is to                                      Many are human pathogens
  remove organic waste from the wastewater                                        Most occupy a role in the treatment process
  stream                                                                          They are:
 This is accomplished biologically by allowing                                         Bacteria
  the waste to come into contact and be                                                 Archaea
  consumed by a population of microorganisms                                            Fungi/yeast
                                                                                                           Amoeba ingesting alga
 The reduction of waste from the                                                       Protozoa                                      Paramecia conjugating
  microorganisms occurs in some type of                                                 Rotifers
  biological reactor                                                                    Algae
                                                                                        Viruses           Human hepatitis A virus
                                                                                 34
                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Biological Reactors                                                              Biological Reactors
   There are different ways the “bugs” can come                                    There are different ways the “bugs” can come
    into contact with the waste                                                      into contact with the waste
       Fixed film reactors                                                             Fixed film reactors
                                                                                             Rotating Biological
                             Trickling Filter                                                        Contactor
                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                               23
        Section 2                                                                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Biological Reactors                                                                        Biological Reactors
   There are different ways the “bugs” can come                                              Secondary treatment requires a balance of
    into contact with the waste                                                                organic waste and oxygen to maintain a healthy
       Mixed reactors                                                                         bug population for treatment
          Oxidation Ditch                   Sequencing Batch Reactor                             Fine bubble diffusers                  Mechanical aeration
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                          TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Biological Reactors                                                                        Wastewater Treatment Processes
   A secondary clarifier is used settle out solids                                             Preliminary               Primary              Secondary
    from the biological reactor to yield a treated                                              Treatment                Treatment             Treatment
    effluent
                                                                                                 Tertiary                                        Solids
                                                                                                                         Disinfection
                                                                                              Treat. (Advanced)                                Treatment
                                                                                           Chemical Nitrogen and
                                                                                            Phosphorous Removal
                                                                                           Biological Nutrient
                                                                                            Removal
                            Secondary Clarifier                                            Multimedia Filtration
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                          TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Treatment Processes                                                             Disinfection
    Preliminary                Primary                 Secondary                             Purpose is to kill
    Treatment                 Treatment                Treatment
                                                                                              pathogenic organisms still
                                                                                              in wastewater
                                                                                             Typically wastewater must
   Tertiary
                             Disinfection
                                                         Solids                               contain 200 cfu/100mL for
Treat. (Advanced)                                      Treatment                              Fecal coliforms or 126
                           Ultraviolet Irradiation                                           cfu/100mL for E. coli to be
                           Chlorine Gas
                           Sodium Hypochlorite                                               considered “disinfected”
                           Calcium Hypochlorite
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                          TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        24                                              Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
       TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                            Section 2
                     Bleach              Chlorine Contact Chamber
                                                                                        Solids Treatment
                                                                                                 Primary                   Secondary
                                                                                                Treatment                  Treatment
                      Ton Chlorine Cylinders
                                                                                                              Solids
                                                                                                            Treatment
                                        Tablet                                                               Digestion
                              Hypochlorination                                                               Dewatering
                                                                                                             Disposal
                                       System
UV system
                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                 TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                        Effluent Discharge
                                                                                         Most wastewater is discharged to a receiving
                         Anaerobic Digester
                                                                                          stream, river, lake or ocean.
Gravity Thickener                                               Belt Press               Some is reclaimed or reused on golf courses,
                                                                                          cemeteries, parks, etc.
Trucking Solids                                    Gravity Filter Bed
                                                   TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                 TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                        Gravity
         Small Diameter Gravity Systems (SDGS)
                                                                                        Wastewater
             Pressure (STEP and Grinder Pump)                                        Defined: water supply
                                       Vacuum                                         of a community or
                                                                                      industry after it has
                                                                                      been used
                                                                                     Treatment: “onsite” or
                    Wastewater Collection                                             offsite (“centralized”)
                                Systems                                              Offsite treatment
                                                                                      requires a “collection
                                                                                      and conveyance”
                                                                                      system
                                                  TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                  TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                 Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                     25
     Section 2                                                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Collection and Conveyance                                                         Wastewater Collection and
System                                                                                       Conveyance System
                 Collection System Components                                                    Manholes are installed in lateral, main, trunk, and
                                                                                                  intercepting sewers for the purpose of placing persons,
                              Pumping                                                             equipment, and materials into these sewers for
                               Station
Manhole                                                                                           inspection, maintenance, and the removal of solids from
                                                                      Gravity
                                                                                                  cleaning operations
                                             Force                    Sewer                      Manholes must be installed:
                                             Main                                                    At the ends of any line 8” in diameter or
Gravity
Sewer                                                                                                 larger line
                                                                                                     Changes in grade, size of pipe or alignment
                                                                                                     At intersections
Manholes should be placed                   Constant minimum slope is
                               Minimum                                                               And not greater than 400 ft on a 15”
every 300-500 feet apart to                 required to provide a velocity
provide access for
                               size is 4”
                                            of at least 2 fps to avoid
                                                                                                      diameter and smaller sewers or 500 ft on
inspections and cleaning                    solids depositing
                                                                                                      18-30” sewers
                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Wastewater Collection and                                                                    Wastewater Collection and
Conveyance System                                                                            Conveyance System
                                                                                              Hydrogen sulfide is made in the collection system and
   Horizontal Separation – sewers should be laid
                                                                                               can:
    with at least 10 feet of horizontal clearance from
                                                                                                     Make waste more difficult to treat
    any existing or proposed water line
                                                                                                     Damage concrete structures
   Vertical Separation – when sewers must cross a                                                   Cause odor problems
    water line, they should be laid 18” below the                                                Biological activity in long, flat sewer lines will likely
    bottom of the water line                                                                      cause:
                                                                                                     Hydrogen sulfide production
                                                                                                     Oxygen deficiency in sewers, manholes or wet wells
                                                                                                     Metal and concrete corrosion
                                                                                                 Chlorine can be used in the collection system or at
                                                                                                  the plant headworks to oxidize hydrogen sulfide
                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Oil and Grease                                                                               What are the Wastewater Flows?
   Generally listed under one heading called FOG (fats, oils                               Sanitary Sewer:
    and greases) as it is often not important to know the                                       Domestic and
    exact make-up of this group of components.                                                   industrial waste
                                                                                            Storm water:
                                                                                                Snow melt, street
                                                                                                 wash, etc.
                                                                                            Combined sewer:
                                                                                                Sanitary plus storm
                                                                                                Example: Nashville
                                                                                            Infiltration/Inflow
                                                                                                 54
                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                              TDEC - Fleming Training Center
     26                                                Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
             TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                        Section 2
    I/I                                                                                       I/I
   Inflow – Water discharged into a sewer system and
    service connections from such sources as, but not
    limited to, roof leaders, cellars, yard and area drains,
    foundation drains, cooling water discharges, drains
    from springs and swampy areas, around manhole
    covers or through holes in the covers, cross
    connections from storm and combined sewer
    systems, catch basins, storm waters, surface runoff,
    street wash waters or drainage.
       Inflow differs from infiltration in that it is a direct discharge
        into a sewer rather than a leak in the sewer itself.
        55                                                                                        56
                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    I/I                                                                                       Infiltration Locations
 Infiltration – the seepage of groundwater
    into a sewer system, including service
    connections.
       Seepage frequently occurs through defective or cracked
        pipes, pipe joints, connections or manhole walls.
       Due to age and condition of system and portion of
        system submerged in groundwater
 Exfiltration – liquid wastes and liquid-carried
    wastes that unintentionally leak out of a
    sewer pipe system and into the environment
        57                                                                                        58
                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    Wastewater flow rates                                                                     Wastewater flows: Why do we care?
        Rule of thumb:                                                                           Collection and conveyance system design
            US domestic is about 70-100 gpd/person                                                   Are they getting shorter or longer as the years go on?
            Developing countries: 5 to 50 gpd/capita                                                 Getting longer and further away from the treatment
            Other: depends on facility (industry, commercial, etc.)                                   plant means the water spends more time in the
            I/I can be significant                                                                    system, which also means water easily becomes septic
        Units:                                                                                   Treatment system design
            3.7854 liters per gallon                                                                 Hydraulic criteria: must be able to pass peak flows
            In U.S., gallons most frequent                                                           Treatment criteria: meeting treatment standards often
             unit of volume                                                                            depends on “hydraulic residence time”
            MGD = million gallons per day                                                                e.g. MG / MGD = days = residence time
            Concentration: mg/L or lbs/MG                                                            Growth projections (population, development)
        59                                                                                        60
                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                           Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                            27
        Section 2                                                                                                                                          TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                                              “Diurnal variations” in domestic
Factors Effecting Flow Rates                                                                                  wastewater flows
 Geographical location & socioeconomic
  conditions
 Type of development
 Season (I/I)
 Climate (I/I)
 Time of Day
61                                                                                                              62
                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
O&M of Collection Systems                                                                                     Building Service Lateral
 The facilities should be kept in good operating
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Connects internal
  condition                                                                                                            2-Way Cleanout      Property Line               House
                                                                                                                                                                                                            plumbing to street
 What happens when collection systems fail                                                                                                                                                                 sewer
  due to lack of or improper operation and                                                                        Curb               Sidewalk                                                              Usually homeowner
                                                                                                                                                                                                            is responsible
  maintenance?                                                                                               Main Sewer Line                                                                               Cleanout minimum
       SSO – Sanitary Sewer Overflow                                                                                                                      Sewer Lateral    Standard Cleanouts
                                                                                                                                                                                                            3 ft from
       Blockages occurring in the sewer line that result in                                                                 City               Property Owner                                              foundation
        backups into homes, businesses and other customer                                                            Lower Lateral                  Upper Lateral                                          Typically 4 inch
        facilities                                                                                                                                                                                          diameter
                                                                                                            Typical dwelling served by a main sewer in the street
       Bypassing raw wastewater                                                                                                                                                                           Slope ¼ inch per
       Street collapse                                                                                                                                                                                     foot minimum, 2%
                                                                                                                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Conventional Gravity Sewer                                                                                    Conventional Gravity Sewer
 Uses natural slope of land to flow by gravity                                                                Scouring velocity- 2 ft/sec
 Manholes every 400-500 ft                                                                                           Flow < 2 ft/sec may lead to settling out of solids,
       State requirement: manhole at distance  400 ft for sewers                                                     stoppages, production of odors including toxic
        15 inches or less and 500 ft for sewers 18 to 30 inches                                                        hydrogen sulfide, corrosive conditions
   Pump or lift station                                                                                         Sewer not less than 2 ½ ft deep
    Water Surface                       Force Main                                                                Water Surface                                          Force Main
                                     (Under Pressure)                                                                                                                 (Under Pressure)
                       Manholes                                                                                                             Manholes
                                                                          Sewer Line                                                                                                                          Sewer Line
             Flow                                                        (Gravity Flow)                                      Flow                                                                            (Gravity Flow)
                                          Pumping                                                                                                                            Pumping
                     Sewer Line            Station                                                                                       Sewer Line                           Station
                    (Gravity Flow)      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                                                                        (Gravity Flow)                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        28                                                                Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
     TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                                                      Section 2
Gravity Collection Sewer                                                                           Gravity Collection Sewer
                                                                                                      Building sewer – a gravity-flow pipeline connecting a
                                                                                                       building wastewater collection system to a lateral or
                                                                                                       branch sewer
                                                                                                          The building sewer may begin at the outside of the building’s
                                                                                                           foundation wall or some distance (2-10 ft) from the wall,
                                                                                                           depending on local sewer ordinances
                                                                                                          Also called house connection or service connection
                                                                                                      Lateral sewer – a sewer that discharges into a branch
      Treatment
                                          Lateral Sewer                                                or other sewer and has no other common sewer
        Plant
                                          Branch Sewer                                                 tributary to it
                                           Main Sewer                                                     Sometimes called a “street sewer” because it collects
                                           Trunk Sewer                                                     wastewater from individual homes
                                           Intercepting Sewer
                                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Gravity Collection Sewer                                                                           Sewer Manhole
   Branch sewer – a sewer that receives wastewater from a                                            Place people, equipment                                            Manhole frame
    relatively small area and discharges into a main sewer                                             and materials into sewer                                             and cover
    serving more than one branch sewer area                                                            for inspection,                                                     Brick course for
   Main sewer – a sewer line that receives wastewater from                                            maintenance and cleaning                                            adjusting frame and
                                                                                                                                                                           cover to final grade
    many tributary branches and sewer lines and serves as an
    outlet for a large tributary or is used to feed an                                                May not have steps since
                                                                                                                                                                            Steps
    intercepting sewer                                                                                 hazardous if corroded
   Trunk sewer – a sewer that receives wastewater from                                               Minimum barrel diameter                                             Sewer
    many tributary branches or sewers and serves a large                                               48 inches
    territory and contributing population                                                             Inspected annually
   Intercepting sewer – a sewer that receives a flow from a                                          Reinforced concrete, brick,
    number of other large sewers or outlets and conducts                                               fiberglass
    the waters to a point for treatment or disposal
                                                                                                                                                  Side section              Front section
                                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center   TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                                                                                                              (partial)
Inverted Siphon                                                                                    Air Jumper
   Sewer lines installed lower than the normal gradient                                              Air jumpers are sometimes constructed as part of an inverted siphon
    of the sewer line to pass under obstructions such as                                              Since the siphon is completely filled with wastewater, a blockage in the
                                                                                                       flow of air in the sewer line occurs without an air jumper
    watercourses and depressed roadways
                                                                                                      This blockage may cause a continuous release of toxic, odorous and
   Wastewater is pushed through the siphon by the                                                     corrosive hydrogen sulfide at the upstream siphon manhole
    pressure resulting from the upstream sewer being                                                  Installation of jumpers prevents this from happening by providing the
    higher than the downstream sewer                                                                   downstream flow of air that usually occurs above the wastewater in a
                                                                                                       partially filled sewer line
    Existing Ground
                                Drainage channel,                                                                                      Drainage channel,
        Inlet                   highway or other                                                                                       highway or other
                                obstruction                                                                 Inlet
       Manhole                                                          Outlet                                                         obstruction                            Outlet
                                                                                                           Manhole
                                                                       Manhole                                                                                               Manhole
        Flow                                                                                                Flow
                                                                         Flow                                                                                                   Flow
                                 Air jumper                                                                                             Air jumper
                                Ductile iron pipe(s)                                                                                   Ductile iron pipe(s)
                               TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                                             29
         Section 2                                                                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    Small Diameter Gravity Sewer (SDGS)                                                               Small Diameter Gravity Sewer (SDGS)
   Alternative wastewater collection system installed in
    areas where deep excavation is a concern, and in
    areas that are hilly or flat
   SDGS uses a smaller diameter pipe than
    conventional gravity sewers due to less solids
   Follows the surface contour of the land, reducing the
    amount of excavation and construction costs
   Septic tanks onsite discharge to small diameter
    gravity main
   Discharges effluent by gravity, pump or siphon
   Minimum velocity 0.5 ft/sec                                                                                     Minimum velocity 0.5 ft/sec
                                                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                               TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                                      STEP – Septic Tank Effluent Pump
    Interceptor Tank                                                                                  Lift Station
                                                                                                         Simple reinforced
       Septic tank                                                                                       concrete or fiberglass
                                                                                                          wet well after septic
       Removes floating and
                                                                                                          tank
        settleable solids
                                                                                                         Submersible pump
       Levels out flows              Precast concrete, fiberglass,                                       operated by mercury
       Sludge solids decompose      HDPE or coated steel common.
                                                                                                          float switches
        anaerobically
                                                                                                         Also on gravity mains
       Regular inspection to measure liquid level, depth                                                 to allow gravity flow at
        of sludge & thickness of scum                                                                     shallow depth
       NO tank additive works
                                                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                               TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    STEP System                                                                                       STEP System
                 S – Septic
                 T – Tank
                 E – Effluent
                 P – Pump
                                                                                                         Septic tank effluent pump with filter
                                                                                                         Float activated mercury switch controls pump
                                                                                                         Keep OUT: eggshells, plastic, bones, grease
                                    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
         30                                                          Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
         TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                                                     Section 2
Vent & Air Release Valve                                                                                   Pressure Sewers
   Vent maintains flow in
    SDGS main
   Air release valve-vents
    air at high points in
    main that would
    restrict flow
   Gases vented from
                                                                                                              Reasons:
    main often quite
    odorous- use activated                                                                                        Topography: Flat terrain or high slope
    carbon filter, soil bed                                                                                       Rocky soil
    masking agent                                                                                                 High groundwater table
                                     TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Pressure Sewers - Components                                                                               Grinder Pump System
    4” gravity building                                                                                  Submersible centrifugal pump with comminuting blade
     sewer at 2% slope                                                                                     cuts and shreds solids in wastewater
    Holding tank                                                                                         Pump unit acts to pressurize WW to move it through
    Grinder pump &                                                                                        sewer
     controls                                                                                             WW flows from pump
    Valves to isolate                                                                                     vault to pressurized
     system                                                                                                main via a pressurized
    Pressure main                                                                                         service line
                                                                                                          Grinder pump serving
                                                                                                           a home is usually
                                                                                                           1-2 hp
                                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                        TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Progressive Cavity Grinder Pump                                                                            Progressive Cavity Grinder Pump
     Creates pressure that                                                                                   Check & gate valve on
      moves WW through                                                                                         discharge prevent backflow
      sewer                                                                                                   Excavation not deep: 5-8 ft
     Reduces size of solids                                                                                  Uses small diameter
     Pump, motor, grinder,                                                                                    pressure lines
      pipes, valves, controls                                                                                 Odors associated with
                                                                                                               improper venting
     Pressure sensor
      measures liquid level                                                                                   Maintenance: solids lodged
                                                                                                               in cutting blade
                                                                                                              Disadvantage: FOG is
                                                                                                               transported
    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
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                                                                      Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                                           31
        Section 2                                                                                                           TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Pressure Sewer vs. Gravity Sewer                                                           Automatic Air Release Assembly
 Higher energy costs for pumping                                                             Located in high point of pressure sewer
 Greater costs for pumping facilities                                                        Release air pockets that would reduce flow capacity
 Deep trenches not necessary
 Inverted siphons not needed to cross roads
  and rivers
 Smaller pipes often needed
 Fewer stoppages (system pressurized)
 No I&I – no extra capacity needed
       No root intrusion, air tight system
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Pressure Sewer Cleaning                                                                    Pigging Port
   Must have access for                                                                      Installed to insert pig to clean inside sewer
    maintenance                                                                               The poly pig is forced through the pipe under pressure
   Manholes or access boxes                                                                  Replaces manhole needed in gravity sewer
    must have valves and pipe                                                                 Radio beacon device allows operator to track pig location
    spools that can be removed
    for cleaning the pipe
   Polyurethane pigs and swabs
    are slightly larger or the same
    size as the main to be cleaned
   Pigging typically done during
    low flow periods                            Pipe with sludge before cleaning
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center       TDEC - Fleming Training Center
                                                                                           Vacuum Sewer
Vacuum Sewer Layout                                                                        Components
   Applications: flat or rolling terrain, unstable soil, high
    water table, rocky terrain, urban development in rural
    areas
   3 Components:
       On-site valve pit
       Vacuum collection
        piping                                                                            Gravity building sewer to vacuum interface unit
       Central vacuum
                                                                                          Vacuum interface unit seals vacuum service
        station
                                                                                              Once 3 gal WW accumulate, valve opens to allow atmospheric
                                                                                               air to force WW into vacuum branch
                                                                                          Vacuum main sends WW to treatment facility
                                                                                          Minimum slope vacuum main is 0.2 ft/sec
                                                      TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                             TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        32                                          Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview
        TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                                                                           Section 2
Typical Fiberglass Valve Pit
With External Breather                                                                  Vacuum Sewer – How Does It Work?
     WW flows by gravity (1) into 30 gal
      holding tank
     As WW level rises, air is compressed
      in sensor tube connected to valve            2             4
      controller (2)
     Sensor signals valve to open until tank
      contents are evacuated (3)
     The spring-loaded interface valve (4) is
      controlled pneumatically and needs no
      electricity
                                               1
     External breather is a 1 ¼ inch
      polyurethane pipe anchored in ground              3
      by concrete
     Breather pipe must be watertight and
      has domed cover to keep insects out
                                                       TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                            TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Isolation Valve                                                                         Typical Vacuum Station
     Plug or gate valves                                                                  Steel or fiberglass
                               Stem Seal                                                    collection tank (1) acts like
      isolate portions of                                                   Bonnet          wet well.Vacuum switches
      vacuum sewer for                                                                      on reservoir tank (2)
      repairs and maintenance                                                  Body
                                                                                            regulate vacuum pumps (3).
                                                                                            Level control probes in
     Typical interval is 1500                                                              collection tank regulate                               3                      2
      to 2000 ft                                                                            the WW pumps (4).
     Also located at both                                                                 Daily operating tasks:
      sides of a bridge                                                                        Visual check of gages and
                                                                                                charts
      crossing and at both                                Plug                                 Record pump run times
                                                                                                                                                                      1
      sides of an area of                                                                      Check oil & block                                            4
      unstable soil                                                                             temperature
                                                       TDEC - Fleming Training Center                                                                            TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Typical Vacuum Station                                                                  Vacuum Sewer Advantages
                                                                                           Small pipe sizes, typically 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10 in
     1 station serves                                                                     Easy to avoid underground obstacles
      200-300 customers                                                                    Shallow installation (2 to 4 ft) eliminates need for wide
                                                                                            deep trenches reducing excavation costs and
                                                                                            environmental impact
     Vacuum pumps                                                                         High scouring velocity reduces blockages and keeps
      operate 3-5 hrs/day                                                                   wastewater aerated and mixed
                                                                                           No infiltration - leaks easily noted
                                                                                               Reduced infiltration leads to reduced size and cost of
     Pumps are typically                                                                       treatment plant
      20 hp                                                                                No manholes
                                                                                           Only power source at vacuum station
                                                                                                                            TDEC - Fleming Training Center
    TDEC - Fleming Training Center
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                                                   Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview                                                                                   33
        Section 2                                                                                  TDEC - Fleming Training Center
Vacuum Sewer O & M
   No odor problems
       System is sealed; large air input with flow
   No corrosion problems
       Corrosion resistant PVC, ABS, rubber, stainless steel
   Malfunctions:
       Break in vacuum line
       Valve malfunction
       Closed isolation valve
   O&M of vacuum systems are more difficult than a low
    pressure system because it is harder to maintain a
    vacuum due to the number of inlets and valves to the
    system
                                                         TDEC - Fleming Training Center
        34                                              Wastewater & Collection Systems Overview