UNIT II

PRIMARY TREATMENT
OF
SEWAGE
 UNIT III PRIMARY TREATMENT OF
Objective
•SEWAGE
• Selection of treatment processes
• Unit Operation and Processes
• Onsite sanitation - Septic tank, Grey
water harvesting
• Primary treatment – Principles, functions design
and drawing of
– screen,
– grit chambers
– primary sedimentation tanks
• Operation and Maintenance aspects of
primary treatment
 Objectives of primary treatment
• Primary treatment consists solely separating the
floating materials and also the heavy settable
organic and inorganic solids. It also helps in
removing the oils and grease from the sewage.
• This treatment reduces the BOD of the
wastewater by about 15 to 30%.
• The operations used are
• Screening for removing floating papers,
rages, cloths, etc.,
• Grit chambers or detritus tanksfor removing
grit and sand
• Skimming tanksfor removing oils and
 Objectives of primary treatment
• Primary settling tank is provided for removal
of residual suspended matter.
• The organic solids, which are separated out in
the sedimentation tanks in primary treatment,
are often stabilized by anaerobic
decomposition in digestion tank or
incinerated.
• After digestion the sludge can be used as
manure after drying on sludge drying beds or
by some other means.
 Selection of treatment
processes
• The degree and type of treatment required
can be determined by comparing the influent
wastewater characteristics to the required
effluent characteristics, adhering to the
regulations.
• Number of different treatment alternatives
can be developed to achieve the treated
wastewater quality.
 Selection of treatment
• processes
The choice of treatment methods, depends
upon several factors, including the disposal
facilities available.
• The combinations of treatment units depends
upon the local needs.
• The topography and geology will also
influence the choice of the units to be
adopted.
• The size of the plant will also influence the
type of units to be adopted.
 Unit Operation and
Processes
The individual treatment methods are usually
classified as:

• Physical unit operations

• Chemical unit processes

• Biological unit processes.

 Unit Operation and Processes

• Physical Unit Operations:

Treatment methods in which the
application of physical forces predominates
are known as physical unit operations. Most
of these methods are based on physical
forces, e.g. screening, mixing, flocculation,
sedimentation, flotation, and filtration.
 Unit Operation and Processes
• Chemical Unit Processes:
Treatment methods in which removal or
conversion of contaminant is brought by
addition of chemicals or by other chemical
reaction are known as chemical unit
processes, for example, precipitation, gas
transfer, adsorption, and disinfection.
 Unit Operation and
• Biological Unit Processes: Treatment methods
Processes
which the removal of contaminants is broughtin about
by biological activity are known as biological unit
processes.
• This is primarily used to remove biodegradable organic
substances from the wastewater, either in colloidal or
dissolved form.
• In the unitprocess, organic matter is
biological
converted into gases that can escape to the
atmospher and into bacterialcells, which can
removed
e by settling. be
• Biological treatment is also used for nitrogen removal
and for phosphorous and sulphate removal from the
wastewater.
 Unit Operation and Processes
The main contaminantsin domestic sewage,to
be removed are
• Biodegradable organics
• Suspended Solids (SS)
• pathogens,
with first two having been consideredas the
performance indicators for various treatment units.
In general the objective of the domestic wastewater
treatment is to bring down
• BOD < 30 mg/L and SS < 30 mg/L for disposal into
inland water bodies.
 Unit Operation and
Processes
• The different treatment methods used in
wastewater treatment plant are classified in
three different categories as:
• Primary Treatment : Refers to physical unit
operations.
• Secondary Treatment: Refers to chemical
and
biological unit processes.
• Tertiary Treatment: Refers to combination of all
three i.e., physical unit operations and chemical
or biological unit processes, used after
 TYPE OF
On-site Sanitation
SANITATION
• Collecting sullage and excreta separately and
disposing within the premises
• Using sullage for developing trees and kitchen garden
• Disposing excreta into the dispersion system like soak
pit/leaching pit. Liquid fraction seeps into the subsoil while
solids left in the pit undergo decomposition by the
microorganisms
Off-site Sanitation or the Centralized collection and
disposal system
•Collecting sullage and excreta together,transporting
to sewage treatment plant for treatment and disposal.
• Sewerage System and Sewage Treatment Plant are required
• Final disposal on land or into water bodies
 ON-SITE
Requirements for adoption of On-site sanitation
• Adequate SANITATION
space
• Porous substrata
•Groundwater at depth greater than 1.5m
Advantages
• Simple to construct, operate and maintain
• Less expensive to install and maintain
•Surface water pollution is eliminated
Disadvantages
• Not suitable for substrata with hard rock and
high water table condition
• Possibility of Pathogens leaching into
groundwater and contaminating it
 On-site Sanitation
Technologies
• Septic Tanks
• Grey water
Harvesting
 Onsite sanitation – SEPTIC
• This is basically a sedimentation tank with some degree of
TANK
solid destruction due to sedimentation and subsequent
anaerobic digestion.
• Designed for 24 h liquid retention time at average daily
flow.
• Considering the volume required for sludge and scum
accumulation, the septic tank may be designed for
wastewater retention time of 1 to 2 days.
• The flow and characteristics of the wastewater that can be
considered for design of septic tank is presented in the
Table.
• Septic tanks can be made from concrete, masonry or
fiberglass. Prior two are of rectangular shape and later is
generally of circular shape.
Onsite sanitation – SEPTIC
TANK
 Onsite sanitation – SEPTIC
• The TANK
inlet and outlet are baffled so that the floating
matter and grease will be retained in the tank.
• Heavy solids settle at the bottom of the tank,
where the organic fraction will decompose
following anaerobic pathway. The production of
biogas may interfere with the sedimentation of the
solids.
• Every septic tank should be provided with the
ventilation pipe with the top of the pipe covered
with suitable mosquito proof wire mesh.
• The top of the pipe should extend to at least 2 m
above the highest building height present in the
vicinity of 20 m from the septic tank.
 Septic tank Effluent
Disposal
• Septic tank effluent will be containing
pathogens; Hence should be disposed into
subsoil
SOAK PIT
• 20m away from the water supply source
• 7m away from dwelling to avoid corrosion
• Size: Square or Circular with
horizontal dimension of 1m
• Depth of Pit below invert of pipe: 1m
 Septic tank Effluent
Disposal
DISPERSION TRENCH
• Width; 0.3 to 0.6m
• Depth: 0.5 to 1.0m
• Grade: 0.25%
• Maximum length: 30m
• Spacing of trenches: 2m
• Distribution box: For 3 or 4 trenches
 Design Features of Septic
Tank
The tank should be large enough to
provide space for
• sedimentation of solids
• digestion of settled sludge
• storage of sludge
• scum accumulated between successive
cleaning.
 Design Features of Septic
• Sewage flow: The flow of sewage is considered to be
Tank
proportional to the number of fixture units discharging
simultaneously. One fixture unit is treated as equivalent
to the flow of 10 L/min. This is equivalent to the
discharge generated from one water closet (WC) when
flushed.
• The number of fixtures discharging simultaneously
depends on the population served. For example for the
population of 5 persons, number of fixtures will be one
and probable peak discharge will be 10 L/min.
• Similarly for population of 10, 20, and 30 numbers of
fixtures will be 2, 3, and 4, and probable peak discharge
will be 20 L/min, 30 L/min, and 40 L/min, respectively.
 Design Features of Septic
Tank
• Detention time: The detention time of 12 to 36 h
• Sewage flow:
Q = 40 – 70 litres/capita/day (from WC)
Q = 90 – 150 litres/capita/day (from WC+Sullage)
• Sludge withdrawal: The sludge is withdrawn at a
frequency of 6 months to 3 years in large tank. For
small tank it can be 2 to 3 years.
• Length to Width ratio: L = 2 to 3 W
Width >= 0.9m
Depth: 1.2 to 1.8m
 Design Features of Septic
• FreeTank
Board: 0.3m
• Rate of sludge accumulation– 30
litres/person/year
• Inlet & Outlet Baffles:
Baffle/Tees should extend upto top level of scum
(22cm above top sewage line) & stop below the
bottom of the covering slab (min 7.5cm)
Inlet – 30cm below the top sewage line
Outlet – penetration 40% of depth of
sewage
 Design Features of Septic
TankOther details of Septic Tank

1.Septic tanks are provided with water tight

cover, along with ventilation pipe
extending up to 2.0 m above the highest
building in the 20 m radius.
2.Inlet and outlet pipes are located on
opposite walls with baffle to avoid exit of
floating matter.
 Grey water
Harvesting
• Grey water, also known as sullage, is the
wastewater flow from kitchen and bath room.
• Grey water consists of 99.9% of water and
very small amount of various types of organic
and
inorganic solids, oils greases,
and generally less and
contaminated
toilet wastewater comparing
(excreta). to
 Grey water
• WhereHarvesting
there is a scarcity of water, grey water
could be a potential water source for the non-
consumptive uses like irrigating kitchen
garden, toilet flushing, for which about 40% of
the per capita water supply is being used. By
using grey water for these purposes the
potable water could be saved.
• If used for irrigation, the surfactants may coat
on the surfaces of soil particles and clog the
pores of the soils leading to whittling of leaves
of plants.
 Treatment of Grey
water
• The objective of the treatment of grey water
is to remove the solids and make the water
safe for the reuse.
• The treatment generally consists of screens,
oil and grease separator, sedimentation
tank, carbon filter to remove surfactant and
sand filter to remove fine solids.
PRIMARY TREATMENT – PRINCIPLES,
FUNCTIONS DESIGN AND DRAWING OF
SCREEN CHAMBER
 Screening
Definition:
• Screening is a unit operation that separates
large floating materials such as rags, paper,
plastics, etc., in different sizes from
wastewater and from entering wastewater
treatment facilities and mains.
• The unit involved is called a screen.
 Objective of providing
screens
• Screens are provided to protect:
i. Pumps
ii. Valves
iii.Pipe line and other appurtenances from
damage or clogging by rags and other large
objects
 Bar Screen
• Purpose: to remove large objects (sticks,
cans, etc) which may cause flow
obstructions.
• Depending on the size of the plant, bar
screens are either hand or mechanically
cleaned.
Bar Screen
 Bar screen
• Larger STPs may have two screens: A coarse
bar screen with larger gaps between bars,
followed by a fine bar screen with smaller
gaps between bars.
• In smaller STPs, a single fine bar screen may
be adequate.
• If this unit is left unattended for long periods
of time, it will generate a significant amount
of odour, it will also result in backing of
sewage in the incoming pipelines and
chambers
 Disposal of Screenings
• Screenings is the waste materials collected
from screens. Screenings should be
properly disposed.
• Various methods of screening disposal
were used such as:
-burning,
-burying,
-digestion,
-dumping into large bodies of water,
- and shredding and returning it to
wastewater collection or treatment system.
 Design of screen
• The gaps between the bars may vary between 25 and
50 mm
• The screen chamber must have sufficient cross-
sectional opening area to allow passage of sewage at
peak flow rate (2.5 to 3 times the average hourly flow
rate) at a velocity of 0.8 to 1.0 m/s,
• (The cross-sectional area occupied by the bars of the
screen itself is not to be counted in this calculation.)
• The screen must extend from the floor of the
chamber to a minimum of 0.3 m above the maximum
design level of sewage in the chamber under peak
flow conditions.
 Design of screen
• Bar screen is a set of inclined parallel bars,
fixed at a certain distance apart in a channel.
• These are used for removing larger particles
of floating and suspended matter.
• The wastewater entering the screening
channel should have a minimum self-
clearing velocity 0.375 m/sec.
• Also the velocity should not rise to such
extent as to dislodge the screenings from
the bars.
 Design of screen
• The slope of the hand-cleaned screens should be
between 300 and 450 with the horizontal and that
of mechanically cleaned screens may be between
450 and 800.
• Clear spacing of bars for
hand cleaned bar screens - 25 to 50 mm
mechanically cleaned bars - 15 mm to 75 mm.
• The width of the bars facing the flow may be 8
mm to 15 mm and depth may vary from 25 mm to
75 mm.
Design of Screen Example:
Estimate the screen requirement for a
plant treating a peak flow of 60MLD of
sewage.
Solution:
Peak flow = 60MLD
6 3
60x10 m
=
1000 d

= 60000 = m
3

24x60x60 0.694
s
Assuming that the velocity through the screen(at
peak flow) is not exceed to 0.8 m/s.
= 0.694 = 0.87m2
The net area of screen openings 0.8
• Assuming the clear depth of water as 1m
• Therefore the clear width of opening
0.87
= = 0.87m 1
• Assuming the clear width of opening between
two successive rod as 2.5 cm.
0.87
• The total no. of openings
= = 35
0.025

• Assuming the width of each bar as 10mm.

• The total width of the screen chamber =
(35 x 0.025)+(34 x 0.01) = 1.22 m
• Assuming the freeboard of 0.5 m.
• Total depth of the screen channel = 1 m
(liquid depth) + 0.5 m (F.B) = 1.5 m
• Assuming the angle of inclination should be 60o .
• The length of the screen channel occupied by the
screen = 1.5/tan 600 = 0.867 m
• Providing a minimum length of 1 m on both the
side of the screen channel.
• Total length of the channel = 0.867 + 2m
= 2.867 m.
• Hence the size of the screen channel = 2.867m x
1.22 m x 1.5 m.
PRIMARY TREATMENT – PRINCIPLES,
FUNCTIONS DESIGN AND DRAWING OF
GRIT CHAMBER
 Grit Chamber
• Grit chamber is the second unit operation used in
primary treatment of wastewater and it is
intended to remove suspended inorganic particles
such as sandy and gritty matter from the
wastewater.
• The grit chamber is used to remove grit, consisting
of sand, gravel, cinder, or other heavy solid
materials (inorganic - that have specific gravity
(2.65) much higher than those of the organic
solids in wastewater) by the process of
sedimentation due to gravitational forces and to
pass forward the lighter organic material.
 Functions of Grit chambers
Grit chambers are provided
To protect moving mechanical equipment
from abrasion and abnormal wear
To avoid grits deposition in pipelines,
channels, and conduits

To reduce frequency of digester cleaning.

 Classification of Grit Chambers
• Grit chambers are classified into two,
based on the mechanism of removal of
grit.
They are:
• Horizontal flow Rectangular grit chambers
• Aerated grit chambers
Horizontal flow Rectangular grit
chambers
⚫ A long narrow channel is used in this type of grit
chamber. The wastewater moves through this
channel in more or less plug flow condition with
minimal mixing to support settling of the particles.
⚫ Higher length to width ratio of the channel is used
to minimize mixing. For this purpose a minimum
allowance of approximately twice the maximum
depth or 20 to 50% of the theoretical length of the
channel should be given for inlet and outlet zones.
 Horizontal flow Rectangular grit
chambers
• It is a narrow open channel of about 10-18 meters
long and with a depth of 0.9 to 1.2 m.
• The width of this channel is kept between 1 and
1.5 m. A free board of minimum 0.3 m and grit
space of about 0.25 m is provided.
• For large sewage treatment plant, two or more
number of grit chambers are generally provided in
parallel. The detention time of 30 to 60 seconds is
recommended for the grit chamber.
Horizontal flow Rectangular grit
chambers
• The grit chambers are designed to remove the
smallest particle of size 0.2 mm with specific
gravity around 2.65.
• The velocity in the grit chamber is maintained
in such a way that the velocity will carry most
organic particles through the chamber and will
tend to re-suspend any that settle, but will
permit the settling of heavier grit particles.
• So it is usually designed to maintain a velocity
of 0.3 m/s.
Horizontal flow Rectangular grit
chambers
• To maintain a fairly constant velocity of flow, a
control section is used. These control sections
are classified as following:
• Proportional flow weirs
• Parshall flumes
Control of Velocity Through the Grit
Chamber
• With variation in sewage flow received at
treatment plant, it is important that velocity of
the wastewater in the grit chamber should be
maintained nearly constant.
• Otherwise when flow is lower, deposition of not
only inorganic solids but also organic solids will
occur in grit chamber due to lowering of
velocity.
• With flow higher than average, when the
velocity will exceed the critical velocity, scouring
of already deposited grit particles will occur
leading to failure of performance.
 Control of Velocity Through the Grit Chamber
• Hence for proper functioning, the velocity should
not be allowed to change in spite of change in
flow in the grit chamber.
• This can be achieved by provision of proportional
weir or Parshall flume at the outlet end of grit
chamber.
• The shape of the opening between the plates of a
proportional weir is made in such a way that the
discharge is directly proportional to liquid depth
in grit chamber. As a result the velocity of water
in the chamber will remain constant for all flow
conditions.
Proportional Parshall flume
Weir (venturiflume)
 Disposal of Grits
• Considerable quantities of grit will be collected at the
sewage treatment plant, about 0.004 to 0.2 m3/ML.
Quantity of grit will be more particularly for combined
system. Necessary arrangement should be made at the
treatment plant for collection, storage and disposal of
this grit matter.
The grit collected can be disposed in the following manner:
• In large treatment plant, grit is incinerated with sludge
• In the past, grits along with screening was dumped into
sea.
• Generally, grit should be washed before
disposal to remove organic matter.
• Land disposal after washing is most common.
 Design of Grit Chamber
Design a grit chamber for population50000
with water consumption of 135 LPCD.
Solution
Average quantity of sewage,considering
sewage generation 80% of water supply, is
= 135 x 50000 x 0.8 = 5400 m3/day = 0.0625 m3/sec
Maximum flow = 2.5 x average flow
= 0.0625 x 2.5 = 0.156 m3/sec
Keeping the horizontal velocity as 0.2 m/sec (<0.3
m/sec) and detention time period as 1 minute.
 Design of Grit Chamber
Length of the grit chamber
= velocity x detention time = 0.2 x 60 = 12.0 m
Volume of the grit chamber
= Discharge x detention time
= 0.156 x 60 = 9.36 m3
Cross section area of flow
= Volume / Length = 9.36/12 = 0.777 m2
Provide width of the chamber = 1.0 m,
hence depth = 0.777 m
Provide 25% additional length to accommodate
inlet and outlet zones.
 Design of Grit Chamber
The length of the grit chamber
= 12 x 1.25 = 15.0 m
Provide 0.3 m free board and 0.25 m grit
accumulation zone depth, hence total
depth
= 0.777 + 0.3 + 0.25 = 1.33 m
and width = 1.0 m
Size of the Grit Chamber
15m x 1m x (1.03m+0.3m)
Freeboard
PRIMARY TREATMENT – PRINCIPLES,
FUNCTIONS DESIGN AND DRAWING OF
PRIMARY CLARIFIER
 Principle of sedimentation
tanks
• Based on the process of sedimentation in which
the suspended organic solid matter present in
sewage which is too light to be removed.
• In still sewage these particles will tend to settle
down by gravity whereas in flowing sewage they
are kept in suspension because of turbulence in
water. Hence as soon as turbulence is retarded
by offering storage to sewage these impurities
tend to settle down at the bottom of the tank
offering such storage.(Type 1 settling)
 Principle of sedimentation
tanksof Flocculated particles(Type II settling)
Settling
Flocculated particles are those which change
their size, shape and weight and thus lose their
identity.
Due to involvement of many unknown
parameters under settling of light weight,
sticky, and non regular shaped particles, the
classical laws of sedimentation as applicable in
grit removal are not valid and this settling is
called as flocculant settling.
 Functions of primary sedimentation
tanks
The purpose and function of the primary clarifier:
• Allow settling of light organic suspended solids
coming out of the Grit chamber to the bottom of
the clarifier
• To thicken the solids, in order to produce a thick
underflow
• To produce clear supernatant water, in the
overflow from the clarifier
• All the above actions occur due to
gravity.
 Design of primary sedimentation
The primary sedimentation tank generally
•tanks
removes 30 to 40% of the total BOD and 50 to 70%
of suspended solids from the raw sewage.
• The flow through velocity of 1 cm/sec at average
flow is used for design with detention period in
the range of 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
• This horizontal velocity will be generally effective
for removal of organic suspended solids of size
above 0.1 mm.
• Effluent weirs are provided at the effluent end of
the rectangular tanks, and around the periphery in
the circular tanks.
Design of primary sedimentation
tanks
• The sludge collection hopper is provided near
the centre in circular tank and near the influent
end in rectangular tanks.
• A baffle is provided ahead of the effluent weir
for removal of floating matter. This scum formed
on the surface is periodically removed from the
tank mechanically or manually.
 Design of primary sedimentation
Primary sedimentation tanks can be circular
•tanks or
rectangular tanks designed using average dry
weather flow and checked for peak flow condition.
• The numbers of tanks are determined by
limitation of tank size. Two tanks in parallel are
normally used to facilitate maintenance of any
tank.
• The diameter of circular tank may range from 3 to
60 m (up to 45 m typical) and it is governed by
structural requirements of the trusses which
supports scrapper in case of mechanically cleaned
tank.
 Design of primary sedimentation
• Rectangular
tanks tank with length 90 m are in use, but
usually length more than 40 m is not preferred.
• Width of the tank is governed by the size of the
scrappers available for mechanically cleaned tank.
• The depth of mechanically cleaned tank should be
as shallow as possible, with minimum 2.15 m.
• The average depth of the tank used in practice is
about 3.5 m. In addition, 0.25 m for sludge zone
and 0.3 to 0.5 m free board is provided.
• The floor of the tank is provided with slope 6 to 16
% (8 to 12 % typical)for circular tank and 2 to 8% for
rectangular tanks.
Design of primary sedimentation
• The scrappers are attached to rotating arms in case
tanks
of circular tanks and to endless chain in case of
rectangular tanks.
• These scrappers collect the solids in a central sump
and the solids are withdrawn regularly in circular
tanks.
• In rectangular tanks, the solids are collected in the
sludge hoppers at the influent end, and are
withdrawn at fixed time intervals.
• The scrapper velocity of 0.6 to 1.2 m/min (0.9
m/min typical) is used in rectangular tank and flight
speed of 0.02 to 0.05 rpm (0.03 typical) is used in
circular tank.
 Design of primary sedimentation
Inlets for both rectangular and circular tanks are
•tanks
to be designed to distribute the flow equally
across the cross section.
• Scum removal arrangement is provided ahead of
the effluent weir in all the PST.
• The surface overflow rate(SOR) of 40 m3/m2.d (in
the range 35 to 50 m3/m2.d) is used for design at
average flow.
• At peak flow the surface overflow rate of 80 to
120 m3/m2.d could be used when this PST is
followed by secondary treatment.
 Design of primary sedimentation
The weir loading rate(WLR) less than 185 m3/m.d is
•tanks
used for designing effluent weir length (in the range
125 to 500 m3/m.d).
• Weir loading rate up to 300 m3/m.d is acceptable
under peak flow condition.
• Higher weir loading can be acceptable when primary
treatment is followed by secondary treatment.
• As such the weir loading rate(WLR) has very less
impact on the overall performance of sewage
treatment plant when secondary treatment is
provided after primary
treatment.
Drawing of rectangular sedimentation
tank
Drawing of circular sedimentation
tank
Design of primary sedimentation
tank
Design the primary sedimentation tank to treat
wastewater with average flow rate of 10 MLD and
peak flow of 22.5 MLD.
Solution:
10x10 6 3
Avg. flow rate 1000x24 = 416.67 mh
=

10x10 6 3
= = 0.116 m
1000x24x60 x60 s
Assume surface overflow rate = 40
m3/m2.d Therefore, the surface area of the
6
tank 10x10 2
= = 250m
40x103
Check for peak flow
condition: The SOR at peak
flow
3
22.5x10
=
= 90 250
2
< recommende d value at peak
m 3.d flow.
m
 Design of primary sedimentation
tank width = 6.0 m
Assume
Therefore theoretical length = 250/6 = 41.66 > 40
m Hence, provide two tanks in parallel
Total length of each tank = 41.66/2 + 2 (inlet)
+ 2 (outlet) = 24.83 say 24.85 m

Flow rate x detention time = depth x surface area =

volume of tank
 Provide detention time of 1.5 h
Volume of the tank = Flow rate x detention
time 3
= 416.67 mx1.5h
h
= 625 m3

Volume of the tank

Liquid depth required = Surface area
3
625m
=
250m2
= 2.5m
Design of primary sedimentation
tank
Provide total depth
= 2.5 + 0.5 (free board) + 0.25
(space for sludge)
= 3.25 m
Hence provide 2 tank of each 24.85m x 6m x
3.25m
 Operation And Maintenance
Considerations of Primary
Treatment
• Maintenance of each equipment is done as the
recommendations of manufacturer.
• A History card is maintained for each equipment
so that record is maintained for equipment
performance and maintenance.
• Good housekeeping is an important aspect of

plant operation.
 Operation And Maintenance
Considerations of Primary
Treatment
Screen Chamber
• Check and clean the bar screen at frequent
intervals
• Do no allow solids to overflow/ escape from
the screen
• Ensure no large gaps are formed due to
corrosion of the screen
• Replace corroded/ unserviceable bar
screen immediately
Operation And Maintenance Considerations of Primary
Treatment
Equalization
Tank:
• Keep air mixing on at all times
• Ensure that the air flow/ mixing is uniform over
the entire floor of the tank. Adjust the placement
of diffusers and the air-flow rate as needed.
• Keep the equalization tank nearly empty before
the expected peak load hours (otherwise it will
overflow)
• Check and clean clogged diffusers at regular
intervals
• Manually evacuate settled muck/ sediments at
least once in a year
 Operation And Maintenance Considerations
of Primary Treatment
Clarifier/ Settling Tank
• If properly designed, engineered and constructed,
clarifiers call for very little attention in terms of
operation and maintenance.
• Indeed, the unmechanized (hopper-bottom)
settling tanks may be said to be zero- maintenance
units.
• Some parts of the mechanical rake (such as the
motor, gearbox etc.) call for only routine
maintenance.