SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER

MATH FORMULAS

General:

1. Mass, Lbs/Day = (Vol, MGD) x ( Conc., mg/l) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal)

(BOD)/(SS), Lbs/Day = (Vol, MGD) x ( SS, mg/l) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal)

2. Dosage, mg/l = ( Feed, lbs/day )

( Vol, MGD ) X ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

3. Rectangular Tank = (Length, ft) x (Width, ft) x (Height, ft)

Volume, cu. ft.

i) Vol, Gals = Multiply the above by the factor 7.48 gals/cu.ft.

4. Right Cylinder = (0.785) x (D 2,ft) x (Height or Depth,ft)

Volume, cu. ft.

i) Vol, Gals = Multiply the above by the factor 7.48 gals/cu.ft.

5. Conical Base = (0.785) x (D 2,ft) x (Height or Depth,ft)

Volume, Cu. ft. ( 3 )

i) Vol, Gals = Multiply the above by the factor 7.48 gals/cu.ft.

6. Removal, Percent = ( In - Out ) x 100

In

7. Decimal Fraction = ( Percent )

100
 8. Population = ( Population ) x BOD or TSS, lbs/day/capita
Equivalent, BOD/TSS
Lbs. Loading

a) Population = (Vol, MGD) x ( Conc., mg/l) x 8.34 lbs/gal)

Equivalent, No. ( BOD or TSS, 0.17 lbs/day/capita )
of People

b) Population = (Population) x (BOD or TSS, lbs/day per capita)

Equivalent - ( Flow, MGD ) x ( 8.34 lbs/day )
BOD, mg/l

9. Daily Hydraulic = ( Population, No. of People ) x ( 100 GPCD )

Loading, GPD

a) Population, = ( Daily Hydraulic Loading, GPD )

No. of People ( 100 GPCD )

10. GPD = ( 2nd Meter Reading - 1st Meter Reading)

( Elapsed Time, Days )

11. Supply, Hrs = ( Storage Volume, Gallons )

(Full or Tank Dry) ( Flow In, GPM - Flow Out, GPM ) x 60 Min/Hr.

12. Percent (%) = ( Larger Amount ) - 1.0 x 100

of Increase ( Smaller Amount )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Rectangular Horizontal-Flow Grit Chambers:

1. Velocity

Q,cfs = ( Area,sq.ft. ) x ( Velocity,fps ), or

2
( GPM ) = ( 0.785 ) x ( D,ft ) x ( Distance, ft )
( 448.8 GPM/cfs ) or . . . ( Base x Height, ft.) ( Time, sec. )

Q = (A) x (V)

A = ( Q )
( V )

V = ( Q )
( A )

IMPORTANT CONVERSIONS: 1.55 CFS/MGD 448.8 gpm / CFS

2. 1.0 FPS = 3.0 sq. ft. of area for

every 3.0 cfs of flow.

3. Velocity = At 1.25 fps, or greater, bottom

scour begins to occur.

4. Flow Conversions:

Flow, GPM = ( Q, cfs ) X ( 448.8 GPM/cfs )

Q, cfs = ( Flow, GPM )

( 448.8 GPM/cfs )

5. Cubic Yards = ( Cubic Feet )

( 27 cubic ft./Cu. Yd )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued
Pumps and Pumping:
1. Hydraulics:
Head, ft. = (2.31 ft/psi) x PSI, or

PSI = (0.433 PSI/Ft) x ( Head, ft. )

2. Pumping: Rates:

Volume, Gals = GPM x Time, minutes

Fill Rate, GPM = ( Tank Volume, Gals )

( Time, minutes )

Fill Time, Minutes = ( Tank Volume, Gals )

( Fill Rate, GPM )
3. Pump Size:

Water Hp. = (GPM) x ( Head,ft)

( 3,960 )

Brake Hp. = ( GPM ) x ( Head,ft )

( 3,960 x ( %, Effic. )

%, Effic. = ( GPM ) x ( Head,ft ) x 100

( 3,960 x ( Brake Hp. )

GPM = ( Brake Hp. ) x (3,960) x ( %, Efffic)

( Head, ft. )

Head, ft. = ( Brake Hp. ) x (3,960 ) x ( %, Efffic)

( GPM )
2
4. Vol, GPM = (0.785) x ( Bore,ft ) x ( Stroke, ft. ) x 7.48 x
S/min x %, Effic.
2
Gals = (0.785) x ( Bore,ft ) x ( Stroke, ft. ) x 7.48 gals/cu. ft. x
( Strokes/minute ) x ( %, Effic. ) x ( Pumping Minute )

5. Cost/day = ( Brake Hp.) x (0.746 Kw/Hp.) x Operating Time, Hrs.

x ( ¢ /Kw- Hr. )
100
6. Speed, RPM (N 2) = ( N1 x D1 )
( D2 )

7. Drawdown, ft. = Pumping Level, ft. - Static Level, ft.

Strength of Solutions:
1. Chemical Feed Pumps:

GPD = ( Required Feed, Lbs/Day ) = (MGD) x mg/L x 8.34

( Dry lbs/Gal ) ( Dry lbs/Gal )
2. Chemical Feed Rate:

GPD = ( Feed, ml/minute x 1,440 min/day )

( 1,000 ml/L x 3.785 L/gallon )

ml/min = ( GPD x 1,000 ml/L x 3.785 L/Gallon )

( 1,440 min/day )

ml/min = ( GPM x 3,785 ml/gal )

3. Lbs/gallon = ( % Solution ) x 8.34 lbs/gallon x (Specific Gravity, if needed)

( 100 )

4. Lbs Chemical = Specific Gravity x 8.34 lbs/gallons x Gallons of Solution

5. Specific Gravity = ( 8.34 lbs/gallon + Chemical Wt., Lbs/gallon )

( 8.34 lbs/gallon )

6. Specific Gravity, = ( S.G. x 8.34 lbs/gal ) - ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

Lbs/gallon

7. % Percent of = ( Dry Chemical, Lbs ) x 100

Chemical in ( Dry Wt. Chemical, Lbs ) + ( Water, Lbs )
Solution from Dry Stock

8. Mixture Gals = ( Gals of Dilute Solution x Lower Concentration, % )

for Percentage (%) ( Higher Concentration Solution, % )

9. Two-Normal Equations:
a) C1V1 = C2V2

b) Q1 = Q2
V1 V2

10. Three Normal equations:

a) ( Q1C1 ) + ( Q 2C2 ) = ( Q 3C3 )

b) Q1 = Q2 = Q3
V1 V2 V3
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Sedimentation Tanks and Clarifiers:

Hydraulic Cross- Check Formulas

1. Detention = (Volume, gals) x ( 24 Hrs./day )

Time, Hrs. ( Total 24 Hr. Flow, gals/day )
Design Data: 1 - 2.5 Hours; Average 1.5 hours.

2. Total Flow, GPD = (Volume, gals) x ( 24 Hrs./day )

( Detention Time, Hrs. )

3. Surface Loading = ( Total Flow, GPD )

Rate, GPD/sq ft. ( Surface Area, sq.ft.)
Design Data: 800 - 1,200 GPD/Sq. Ft.

4. Weir Overflow = ( Flow, GPD )

Rate, GPD/Ft ( Weir Length, ft )
Weir Length, ft = Circumference, ft. = B x Diameter, ft
Design Data: 10,000 - 20,000 GPD/LF; Average 15,000 GPD/L.F.

5. Solids Loading = ( Solids into Clarifier, lbs/day )

Rate, lbs/day/sq. ft. ( Surface Area, sq. ft. )
Design Rate: Primary Clarifiers: Not a design consideration.
2nd. Clarifiers: 12 - 30 lbs/day/sq. ft.

6. Sludge Solids, lbs = (Flow, Gals) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal ) x ( Sludge, % )

or GPD 100

7. Raw Sludge = ( Settleable Solids, ml/L ) x ( Plant Flow, GPM )

Pumping, gpm ( 1,000 mls/L )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Ponds and Lagoons:

1. Organic Loading = ( BOD In, lbs/day )

Rate, Lbs/day/acre ( Pond Area, acres )
Design Data: 25 - 50 Lbs/day of BOD

2. Pond Area, Acres = ( BOD In, Lbs/day )

( Organic Loading Rate, lbs/day/acre )
Design Data: 20 - 50 Acres ( Range )

3. Detention Time, = ( Volume, Acre-ft )

Days ( Flow, Acre-ft/Day )
Design Data: 60 - 180 Days

4. Surface Area, Acres = (Flow, MGD) x (BOD Conc. mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal)
(BOD Loading) ( Loading Rate, Lbs/Acre/Day )

5. Hydraulic Loading = ( Pond Depth, Inches )

Rate, Inches/day ( Detention Time, Days )

6. Pond Depth, Ft. = ( Daily Flow Into The Pond, Cu.ft.

( Total Surface Area of the Pond, Sq.ft. )

7. Volume, = ( Area, acres ) x ( Depth, ft. )

Acre-Ft

8. Flow Rate, = ( Daily Flow into Pond, GPD )

Acre-Ft/Day ( 7.48 Gal/cu.ft.) x ( 43,560 cu.ft/acre-ft.)

Evaporation / Percolation Rates

9. Inches/Day = ( Volume lost, Gallons/Day )

( No. of Acres x 325,828 gals/Ac-ft ) x ( 12"/ft )

10. Vol, Gals = ( Acres, sq.ft. ) x ( Evap. Rate, inches/day ) x 7.48 gals/cf
Lost/Day ( 12" )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Trickling Filters:

1. Organic Loading = ( BOD, Lbs/Day )

Rate, Lbs/Day/1,000 cu.ft. ( Media Volume, 1,000's of cu.ft. )

Same as . . . = ( MGD ) x ( mg/L BOD ) x 8.34 lbs/gal)

( Media Volume, 1,000's of cu.ft. )

2. Hydraulic Loading = ( GPM )

Rate, GPM/sq.ft. ( Surface Area, sq. ft. )

3. Hydraulic Loading = ( GPM x 1,440 min/day )

Rate, GPD/Sq. Ft. ( Surface Area, sq. ft. )

a) Hydraulic Loading = ( GPM )

Rate, GPM/sq.ft. ( Surface Area, sq. ft. )

4. Recirculation = ( Recirculation Flow, Q 1 )

Ratio ( Average Influent Flow, Q 2 )

5. Total Flow = ( Recirculation Flow, Q 1 ) + ( Average Influent Flow, Q 2 )

 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Rotating Biological Contactors:

1. Organic BOD = ( Soluble BOD Applied, lbs BOD/Day )

Loading Rate, ( Media Surface Area/1,000 sq. ft. )
Lbs/Day/1,000 sq.ft.

2. Hydraulic Loading = ( GPM )

Rate, GPM/sq.ft. ( Surface Area, sq. ft. )

3. Hydraulic Loading = (Total Flow, GPD ) Including Recirculation

Rate, GPD/sq.ft. ( Surface Area, sq.ft. )

4. BOD Applied, = ( Flow, MGD ) x (Soluble BOD, mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

Lbs/Day

5. Soluble BOD, mg/l = Total BOD, mg/l - Suspended BOD, mg/l, or

Soluble BOD, mg/l = ( Total BOD, mg/l) - ( K x Suspended Solids, mg/l )

6. Suspended BOD, = K x Suspended Solids, mg/l

mg/l ( K = 0.5 - 0.7 for most domestic wastewaters. )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Oxidation Ditches:

1. F/M = ( BOD, lbs/day )

( MLVSS, lbs )

2. BOD = ( BOD, lbs/day )

Loading Rate, ( Ditch Volume, in 1,000 Cu. ft. )
Lbs/Day/1,000 Cu. Ft.

3. Ditch Detention = ( Ditch Vol, MG ) x 24 Hours/Day )

Time, Hours Flow, MGD

4. Determine Sludge Age:

a) Aeration Solids, = (Vol, MG) x ( MLSS, mg/l ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal)

lbs.

b) Solids Added, = ((Vol, MG) x ( Inf. SS, mg/l ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal)

lbs/day

c) Sludge Age, = ( Solids Under Aeration, lbs )

Days Solids Added, lbs/day

5. Calculate Ditch Volume:

a) Average Width, ft. = ( Bottom, ft. ) + ( Depth, ft )

( Slope )
b) Area Determination

i) Area, sq. ft. = Width, ft x Depth, Ft., or

ii Area, sq. ft. = (B,Width 1, ft. + T,Width 2, ft.)

( 2 )
c) End Lengths, ft. = ( 2 B ) x Radius, ft.

d) Total Length, ft. = Ends Lengths, ft + ( 2 Lengths, ft.)

e) Volume, cu. ft. = ( Length, ft. ) x ( Area, sq. ft. )

 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Activated Sludge:

1. F/M RATIO = ( BOD in Primary Effluent, lbs/day )

(Lbs of Mixed liquor VSS in the Aeration Tanks)

2. Mean Cell = (Aeration Tank TSS, lbs + Clarifier TSS, lbs )

Residence Time, (TSS Wasted, lbs/day + Effluent TSS, lbs/day)
Days, (MCRT)

a) TSS Wasted, = (Aer. Tnk TSS,lbs ) + ( Clar.TSS, lbs) - Effluent TSS, Lbs
( MCRT, Days )

b) MCRT, Days = ( Aeration Tank TSS, lbs ) + ( RAS, Lbs )

( TSS Wasted, lbs + Effluent TSS, lbs )

3. Sludge Volume = (Settled Volume, ml/L ) x ( 1,000 Mg/G )

Index (SVI), ml/g ( MLSS, Mg/L )

MLSS, mg/l = ( 1,000,000 )

SVI

4. Sludge Density = ( 100 )

Index (SDI) SVI

5. Sludge to Waste, = ( Secondary SS, lbs ) - Effluent SS, lbs/day

lbs/day ( MCRT, days )

6. Sludge Age, Days = ( Aeration Tank TSS, lbs ) (Refer to MCRT )

( Primary Clarifer Effluent TSS, lbs/day )

7. Return Sludge = ( Aerator Flow, MGD ) x ( Settable Solids, % ) Rate,

MGD

8. Desired MLSS, = ( Desired MLSS in Aerator, lbs. )

mg/l ( Aerator Vol., MG ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

9. Cu.ft. Air/ = ( Air, Cu.ft. )

Lb. BOD Removed ( Primary Effl., lbs BOD - Secondary Effl., lbs. BOD )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Anaerobic Digesters:

1. Volatile Solids = (Feed Sludge VS, lbs/day )

Loading, ( Digester Volume, cu.ft. )
Lbs VS/Day/Cu.Ft.

2. Detention Time, = ( Digester Volume, Gallons )

Days ( Sludge Feed, GPD )

3. Digester Loading, = ( Lbs of Volatile Matter Added/Day )

Lbs Vol. Matter/ ( Volume of Digester, Cu. Ft. )
Cu. Ft./day

4. Volatile Solids = ( VS In - VS Out ) x 100

Reduced, % ( VS In ) - ( VS, In x VS, Out )

5. Gas Production, = ( Gas Produced, cu.ft./day )

Cu.Ft./lb VS Reduced ( VS Feed, lbs/day ) x ( Reduction/100 )

6. Gas, Lbs = Volatile Solids, lbs x % Reduction of Volatile Matter

7. VA/Alk Ratio = ( Volatile Acids, mg/L )

( Alkalinity, mg/L )

8. Volatile Matter = Sludge Pumped, gals/day x % Solids x

Destroyed, lbs/day/cu.ft. % Volatile x % Reduction x 8.34 lbs/gal
( Digester Volume, cu. ft. )

9. Pumping, = (Flow, MGD) x (Inf. SS, mg/L - Effl, SS, mg/L) x 100%
Minutes ( Pump, GPM ) x ( Sludge Solids, % x (24 Hours/day )

10. V.S. Destroyed, = (VS Added, lbs/day)( VS Reduction, % )

Lbs/day/cu. ft. ( Disgester Volume, Cu. ft. ÷ 100% )

11. Digested Sludge = (VS Added, lbs/day) x (Loading, Lbs Digester Sludge )
in Storage, Lbs. ( Lbs VS / Day )

12. Volatile Solids, Lbs = ( Dry Solids, lbs ) x ( Raw Sludge, % VS )

( 100 % )
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Tertiary Filtration:

1. Filter Flow Rate:

Filtration Rate, = (Filter Area,sq.ft.) x (GPM/sq.ft.)

GPM

2. Filter Backwash:

Backwash, gals = (Filter Area,sq.ft.) x (Backwash Rate, gpm) x (Time, min)

Backwash = ( Backwash Volume, gpm )

Rate, gpm/sq.ft. ( Filter Area, sq.ft. )

Backwash,gals = (Filter Area, sq.ft.) x (Rise/Fall,ft/min)

x (7.48 gals/cu.ft.)
 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Land Application:

1. Required Acres = ( Total Volume of sludge, tons/year )

( Limit, tons per acre )

2. Sludge Application, = (Gal. of Sludge) x (8.34 lbs/gal) x (% Solids in Sludge)

Lbs.

Waterways Discharge:

1. Diluted = ( Stream Conc. 1 x Stream, Q 1 ) + ( Waste Conc. 2 x Waste, Q 2 )

Concentration, ( Stream Q 1 + Waste Q2 )
mg/l or µg/l

2. Lbs O2/Day = ( Flow, MGD ) x ( Conc. O 2, mg/l ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued
Effluent Disinfection
Gas Chlorine Feed, Lbs/day

1. Lbs/Day = (Vol, MGD) x ( Conc., mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

Dosage, mg/l = ( Lbs/day )

( MGD ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

65% HTH Feed, Lbs/day - Calcium Hypochlorite

2. HTH, lbs/Day = (Vol, MGD) x ( Conc., mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

0.65

Dosage, mg/l = ( Lbs/day x 0.65 )

( MGD ) x ( 8.34 lbs/gal )

HTH, Lbs = ( Gals, H 2O x 8.34 lbs/gal x % Solution )

( 0.65 )
5-1/4% Liquid Chlorine - Sodium Hypochlorite

3. Lbs/Gal = ( Solution Percentage ) x 8.34 lbs/gal

100

GPD = (Vol, MGD) x ( Conc., mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal)

( Lbs/gal )
Dosage/Demand/Residual

4. Dosage, mg/l = ( Demand, mg/l ) + ( Residual, mg/l )

5. Demand, mg/l = ( Dosage, mg/l ) - ( Residual, mg/l )

6. Residual, mg/l = ( Dosage, mg/l ) - ( Demand, mg/l )

7. Sulphur Dioxide:

Lbs/day = (MGD) x (Cl 2 Residual, mg/l) x (8.34 lbs/gal) x 0.90

0.9 mg/l of SO 2 is required to dechlorinate 1.0 mg/l of chlorine.

 SUMMARY OF KEY WASTEWATER
MATH FORMULAS - Continued

Laboratory:

1. BOD, mg/l = ( Initial DO, mg/l - Final DO, mg/l ) x 300 ml

Sample, ml
Volume

BOD, mg/l = ( Initial DO, mg/l - Final DO, mg/l ) x Dilution

Factor

mg/l = ( ml x 1,000,000 )
( ml of Sample )

mg/l = ml x 1,000 ml/L

2. TSS (mg/l) = Paper Wt. and Dried Solids(g) - Paper Wt.(g) x 1,000,000
( Milliliters [ml] of Sample )

3. BOD (mg/l) = ( Initial D.O. - Final (D.O. ) x 300

(Unseeded) ( Milliliters [ml] of Sample )

4. mg/l Total Solids = ( Residue, mg ) x 1,000

( ml sample )

5. %, Solids = ( MLSS )
( 10,000 mg/L per 1% )
1/n
6. Geometric Mean = ( X 1 ! X2 ! X3 ! . . . X n )

7. Temperature:

F° = ( C° x 1.8 ) + 32°

C° = ( F° - 32° )
( 1.8 )

ABBREVIATIONS
Ac-ft Acre feet M Meter

AFC Actual fluoride content M Mile

C° Celsius mg/l Milligram per Liter

CCF Hundred Cubic Feet MGD Million Gals/Day

Cf Cubic feet (ft 3) ml Milliliter

CFS Cubic Feet Per Second msl Mean Sea Level

F° Fahrenheit ppm Parts per Million

Gal Gallon(s) Q Flow, cu. ft/sec.

GPM Gallons Per Minute B Pi (3.141)

GPD Gallons Per Day Sq. ft. Square feet (ft 2)

3
GPH Gallons Per Hour Sq. Yd Square Yards (ft )

GPCD Gallons per capita per day SWD Side Wall Depth

H Height µ g/L Microgram/Liter

Hp Horsepower V Velocity

BHp Brake Horsepower V Volume

Whp Water Horse power

KW-Hrs Kilowatt hours

Lbs Pounds

Lbs/Day Pounds per day

L Liter
END

Updated: December, 2002