Quality Parameters of Sewage
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Quality parameters of sewage are the standards of wastewater quality. This standard is required for the safe disposal of wastewater at different sites. Wastewater quality for disposal at different sites has different criteria based on the sewage degradation characteristics and environment. Quality parameters of sewage can be classified into physical, chemical and biological parameters based on its characteristics.
Quality Parameters of Sewage PDF
Quality parameters of sewage also depend on its generation and disposal criteria. For different sources of generation, wastewater has different characteristics. This article contains fundamental notes on the “Quality Parameters of Sewage” topic of the “Environmental Engineering” subject.
Table of content
What are the Quality Parameters of Sewage?
Wastewater parameters are the wastewater quality standards for safe disposal at different sites. Understanding the quality parameters of sewage is necessary to know the quality standards of wastewater. Based on these quality standards, disposal of the sewage is carried out.
Quality parameters of sewage can be classified into physical, chemical and biological quality parameters based on their different characteristics. The quality of sewage is mentioned in the GATE CE syllabus. It may also depend on the source of the generation. For example, industrial sewage contains many chemicals, but domestic sewage mainly contains biological constituents.
Physical Quality Parameters of Sewage
The physical quality parameters of sewage are the standard qualities of wastewater that can be identified physically just by observing sewage. Physical quality parameters consist of the colour of sewage, odour and temperature, etc. Solids present in sewage can be classified as suspended solids and dissolved solids. Usually, dissolved solids are classified under the category of chemical parameters, but suspended solids are categorized as physical parameters. Here few physical quality parameters of sewage are listed below.
- Threshold Odour Number (TON) = (Vs + VD)/Vs
Vs =The volume of the sewage
VD=The volume of distilled water or odorless water.
- Total Solids, Suspended Solids and Settleable Solids
(i) S3 = S1 – S2
(ii) S2 – S4 = S5
Where,
- S3=Dissolved solids plus colloidal or filterable solids in mg/lit
- S2=Non-filterable solids in mg/lit
- S1=The total amount of solids in mg/lit
- S4=Volatile suspended solids, in (mg/lit.)
- S5= Fixed solids
Chemical Quality Parameters of Sewage
The chemical quality parameters of sewage are the standard qualities of wastewater identified with the help of laboratory tests using different chemicals. Chemical quality parameters include acidity, pH, hardness, alkalinity, chloride content, dissolved oxygen, etc. Dissolved oxygen demand can be due to biological activities, chemical reactions, etc. Here few chemical quality parameters of sewage are listed below.
- Chemical Oxygen Demand
It can occur due to biodegradable organic matter or non-biodegradable matter.
K2Cr2O7 and H2SO4 are added to determine the chemical oxygen demand.
- Theoretical Oxygen Demand
Benzene
C6H6+ 7.5O2→ 6CO2 + 6H2O
Glucose
C6H12O6 + 6O2→ 6CO2 + 6H2O
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
BOD = (DOi – DOf) Dilution factor;
Where,
- BOD = Biochemical oxygen demand in ppm or mg/lit.
- DOi= Initial dissolved oxygen in mg/lit.
- DOf= Final dissolved oxygen in mg/lit.
Dilution Factor = Volume of the diluted sample / Volume of the undiluted sewage sample
The rate of depletion of biochemical oxygen demand can be related to the following equation as dLt/dt = -kLt
Where,
k = Rate constant signifying the rate of oxidation of organic matter, which depends upon the nature of organic matter and temperature. Its unit is per day.
Lt= O2 equivalent;of organic matter present after t days.
Lt= L.(10)-KDt
Where,
- KD =Deoxygenation constant.
- L = Organic matter present at t = 0
Biological Quality Parameters of Sewage
The biological Quality parameters of sewage are the biochemical parameters obtained with the help of biological activities. Biological quality parameters of sewage include the virus, bacteria, algae, Most Probable Number(MPN), etc. With the help of proper observation of these parameters, diseases spreading due to poor-quality sewage can be controlled.
The most probable number test is used to determine the biological qualities of the wastewater. With the help of the MPN test, the count of E-coli bacteria is observed. These are not harmful bacteria, but they indicate the presence of other harmful bacteria. 3 samples (ex. 100mL, 10mL, 1mL) are taken for the MPN test.
Decomposition of Bio-degradable Organic Matter
The decomposition of bio-degradable organic matter can be done either by the process of anaerobic decomposition or by aerobic decomposition. Aerobic decomposition is also a significant topic for the GATE exam. It can be carried out with the help of aerobic or facultative bacteria, while anaerobic decomposition can be carried out with the help of anaerobic bacteria or;facultative bacteria. These processes of decomposition are explained below.
- Aerobic Decomposition
(i) Nitrogenous organic matter → NO–3 + NH3↑ + Energy
(ii) Carbonaceous organic matter→ CO2+ H2O+ Energy
(iii) Sulphurous organic matter→ SO2-4+ Energy
- Nitrogen Cycle under Aerobic Decomposition
- Anaerobic Decomposition
(i) Nitrogenous organic matter→ N2↑ + NH3+ Organic Solids + Heat Energy
(ii) Carbonaceous organic matter→ CO2↑ + Heat Energy
(iii) Sulphurous organic matter→ H2S↑ + Heat Energy
(iv) Organic acids→ CH4↑ +CO2↑ Heat Energy
*****
If you are preparing for ESE/ GATE or other PSU Exams (Civil Engineering), then avail Online Classroom Program for ESE and GATE CE:
Online Classroom Program for ESE/GATE CE
You can avail of BYJU’S Exam Prep Test Series, specially designed for all Civil Engineering Exams:
BYJU’S Exam Prep Test Series ESE/GATE CE
Thanks
All the Best
