CHAPTER 5: SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

Calking Iron- this is used for

caulking oakum and lead for
bed and spigot joints.
Plunger. This is used to clear the
trap at floor drains, or minor
obstructions through a pumping
action. This is also known as
Plumbers friend or Plumbers
helper.

Tin snip. This is used for

cutting G.I. sheets for straps to
anchor pipes.

To protect water resources and the greater environment, all waste from buildings
and industrial processes must be treated to meet certain standards of quality. Domestic
sewage from dwellings and DWV systems in buildings are permitted to be discharged
into the public sewers system, which provides the necessary treatment prior to tits
discharge into nature.
Water Treatment and Disposal
Basic Purposes of sewage treatment

Soldering Copper. This is

used for soldering lead on
flashing of vent pipes on G.I.
Roofing.

Plumb Level. This is used to

establish and guide grades on
horizontal drain pipe runs.

File. This is used to remove

the burrs of cut pipes.

Plumb Bob. This is used for

establishing vertical runs for
pipes.

1. To destroy pathogenic micro organisms. Pathogens are disease-causing

bacteria.
2. To remove most suspended and dissolved biodegradable organic materials.
Raw or untreated sewage is mostly pure water since it comprises about 99.9% water
and only about 0.1% impurities. However, sewage contains biodegradable organic
material, which is very likely to contain pathogenic micro organisms.
The amount of pathogens in the waste water is expected to be proportional to the
concentration of fecal coliform bacterium cal E. coli (Escherichia coli). The E. coli
concentration in raw sanitary sewage is about 1 billion/ liter, but it is not a pathogen. In
fact, our bowels will not function properly without it, but as an indicator organism, the
presence of E. coli indicates that water is contaminated with fecal wastes and
pathogens maybe present. DENR standard is 10,000 MPN/ 100ml.

CHAPTER 8: WATER SUPPLY SOURCES

Providing water in buildings is one of the most critical utility requirements. A building
without water supply is unfit for human habitation.
Generally speaking, potable water is supplied from a local utility through a public water
system.
For buildings without public water system, an alternative source of water must be
considered, such as springs, wells and rain water.

For water to be safe for drinking the E. coli count shall not be more than 1 E. coli
per 100ml (about 0.4 cup) of water.
For water to be considered safe for swimming the E. coli shall be more than 200
E. coli per 100ml of water.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). The measure of the strength of the sewage in
relation to the total amount of organic material it contains. Untreated domestic sanitary
sewage has an average BOD of about 200mg/ liter. DENR standard is 50 mg/ liter.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The measure of the strength of the sewage in relation
to the total amount of suspended solids. Untreated domestic sanitary sewage has an
average TSS of 240 mg/ liter.
Another group of impurities that is of major significance in waste water is the
compounds of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) from plant nutrients. Raw sanitary
sewage contains an average of 35mg/ liter of nitrogen and 10 mg/liter of phosphorous.
THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS

The sewage treatment process may be divided into four major steps:
1. Preliminary treatment. 35% of BOD and 60% of TSS are removed.
2. Primary Treatment, which is subdivided into:
Sedimentation and retention: raw sewage is retained for the preliminary
separation of indigestible solids and the start of aerobic action.
Aeration: introduction of air through natural convection or mechanical
blowers to accelerate the decomposition of organic matters.
Skimming: Removal of scum that floats on top of the partially treated
sewage.
Sludge Removal: disposal of heavy sludge at the bottom of treated
sewage.
In the primary treatment, 85% of BOD and 85% TSS are removed.
3. Secondary Treatment, namely, the removal of colloidal and dissolved organic
material.
4. Tertiary Treatment, that is, the removal of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorous
and disinfection of effluent by the addition of chemicals, such as chlorine (10
mg/liter).

Sewage Treatment Plants

The design of sewage treatment plants for large buildings, building complexes and
municipalities follows precisely the same processes described above. However, modern
treatment plants do require considerable mechanized equipment and controls in order
to be efficient and reliable. Sanitary Engineers or Plumbing Engineers who specialized
in the subject do the design of these treatment plants.
Following are the definitions of some commonly used terms related to the subject of
sewage treatment methods and disposal processes:
1. Digestion- That portion of the sewage treatment process in which biochemical
decomposition of organic matter takes place, resulting in the formation of simple
organic and mineral substances. Also known as aerobic (bacterial) digestion.
2. Influent- Untreated sewage flowing into a treatment system.
3. Effluent- Treated or partially treated sewage flowing out of a treatment system.
4. Sedimentation- Formation of layers of heavy particles in the influent
5. Aerobic (bacterial) digestion- Digestion of the waste through the natural bacteria
digestive action in a tank or chamber.
6. Active Sludge- The sewage sediment, rich in destructive bacteria, which can be
used to break down fresh sewage more quickly.
7. Filtration- a means of filtering out any solid matter from the effluent.
8. Disinfection- A process to disinfect the effluent with chemicals.
9. Percolation- the flow or trickling of a liquid downward through a filtering medium.

CHAPTER 7: BASIC PLUMBING TOOLS FOR DRAINAGE

PIPES AND FITTINGS
THE COMMON TOOLS USED IN THE DRAINAGE PIPES AND FIITINGS ARE:
1. Hacksaw
2. Closet auger
3. Plunger
4. Rule
5. Blow torch
6. Lead pot
7. Pouring ladle
8. Joint runner
9. Ball peen hammer
10. Cold chisel
11. Caulking irons
12. Soldering copper
13. Tin snip
14. Plumb bob
15. Plumb level
16. File

Rule/ Push-pull tape. This is

used to measure pipes to be
cut and for measuring the run of
the pipes.

Lead Pot. This is used as a

vessel for holding lead to be
melted. This is also known
as Melting Pot.

Blow Torch- this is used as a

source of heat when melting
lead and heating the soldering
copper for calk joint.

Pouring Ladle- this is used for

scooping up melted lead to be
poured into cast iron soil pipes
to make a calk joint.

Hacksaw. This is used for

cutting pipes.

Closet Auger. This is used for

removing clogs in drain pipes,
usually at water closet, urinal
and lavatory stoppage.

Joint runner. This is used to

close the gap between the hub
and the spigot of a cast iron
soil pipe while molten lead is
poured into the joint of a
horizontal pipe run. This is also
known as Pouring rope.

Ball Peen hammer- this is

used for caulking.

Gold chisel- this is used for

cutting cast iron pipes and for
boring holes.

A summary of waste water treatment.

CHAPTER 6: PLUMBING MATERIALS DRAINAGE PIPES AND

FITTINGS
Drainage pipe. This is the pipe that conveys waste from the building to an approved
point of disposal.
Drainage Fittings. This are pipe accessories in the drainage system such as a
coupling, bend, wye, etc; used to join two or more pipes together or to change their
directions.
TYPES OF DRAINAGE PIPES
1.
2.
3.
4.

Waste pipe
Soil pipe
Storm pipe
Vent pipe

1. Waste pipe. The pipe which carries only liquid waste, free of human excrement
or fecal matter.
2. Soil pipe- the pipe which carries the waste from water closets, urinals or fixtures
of similar function to the building drain. This contains human excrements.
3. Storm pipe- the pipe which convey rainwater from the roof gutter and down
spout to the building storm drain.
4. Vent pipe- the pipe connected to the drainage system that conveys air to and
from the system and keep the water from being siphoned from the trap.

Branch- is the drainage pipe that runs horizontally.

Stack- is the vertical drainage pipe.
The selection of piping materials for the drainage system depends on the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Pressure
5. Initial cost
Velocity
6. Installation cost
Temperature
7. Operating problem
Corrosiveness of the medium conveyed within

Common drainage pipes and fittings materials used

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Asbestos Cement Pipe (ACP)

Cast Iron Soil Pipe (CISP)
Concrete pipe
Vitrified Clay Pipe
Plastic Pipe
i.
Polyethylene (PE)
ii.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

TYPES OF PVC PIPES USED FOR DRAINAGE

1. uPVC Sanitary pipes (unplasticized)- (DWV) is designed for above and
underground sanitary piping system. It is ideal for drain, waste and vent
installation.
2. uPVC Sewer Pipe- can be used for main sewer system and other underground
waste piping system which requires big diameter pipes.

iii.
Acrylonitrile- Butadiene- Styrene (ABS)
f. Iron Pipe Size (IPS)- Iron, Steel, Brass
g. Lead
i.
Safe spans is 10.56 kg/m2 and 1.6mm thick
ii.
For flushing or vent terminals- 14.63 kg/ m2 and 1.2 mm thick
iii.
Lead bends and lead trap shall not be less than 3.2mm in wall thickness.
ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE
This type of pipe is made of asbestos fibers combined under pressure with Portland
cement and silica to form a dense and homogeneous material. It is dense cured for
strength.

HDPE SPIRAL PIPE

TYPES OF ASBESTOS CEMENT PIPE

Properties
*Diameter- 100mm (4) to 900mm (36)
*Color- black
*Joint- Screw-type couplings
*Brand- Atlanta

1. Pressure A.C. Pipe- is used for sewer mains, industrial effluent and process
piping, working pressure ranges at 100, 150, and 200 psi.
2. Non-pressure A.C. Pipe- is used for sewer casings for electric cables and as
storm drains.
Properties:
Diameter: 75mm (3) to 900 mm (13)
Length: 3.00m (10) or 4.00m (13)
For 75, 100, 150mm.
4.00m (13) for 200mm. (80
Through 900 mm. (36)
Grades: 1500, 2400, 3000, 4000 and 5000
Lbs/ft.
Joints: rubber gasket joint and cement joint

HIDE PIPE FITTINGS

2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)- is a thermoplastic type which is composed of

molecules of polymers. Each molecule is a long chain made of carbon, hydrogen
and other atoms which are melted down and molded.

Note:

VITRIFIED CLAY PIPE FITTINGS

Asbestos cement pipe (ACP) is remarkably suited for embedment in concrete

structure since both materials have the same properties.
COMMON TYPES OF PIPE FITTINGS
1. Bends (elbows)- are used to complete change of direction in soil, waste and
drain lines in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions.
2. Y (wye) branches- are used for change of direction (diagonal) and branch
connections of soil, waste and drain pipes.
3. T (tee) branches- are used to join 3 or 4 pipes at perpendicular directions.
CAST IRON SOIL PIPE
Cast iron soil pipe (CISP) is made from an alloy of iron, carbon and silicon, with the
controlled amounts of manganese, sulfur and phosphorous. This is primarily used for
sanitary drain, waste and storm systems.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF CAST IRON SOIL PIPE
1. Class A- extra heavy (xh)- is often used for underground applications.
2. Class B- Service weight (SV)- is used for general building installations.
TYPES OF CAST IRON SOIL PIPE
1. Single hub- is equipped with one hub and one spigot end and used in the
installation of plumbing in its full length.

PLASTIC PIPES
Plastic pipe is available in compositions designed for various applications including
drain, waste and vent. (DWV)
BASIC TYPES OF PLASTIC PIPE
1. Thermosel Plastic- has the property of being permanently rigid. Epoxy and fiber
glass are example of this.
2. Thermo Plastic- is a material having the property of softening when heated and
hardening when cooled.
TYPES OF PLASTIC PIPES FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM
1. Polyethylene (PE)- the high density P.E. spiral pipe (HDPE) is used as drainage
and sewer pipe for housing complex, playground, golf course, industrial farm and
stock farm.
It is sufficiently flexible to follow ground contours of snake
around obstacles.

CONCRETE PIPE
Concrete pipe is cast in metal molds and compacted by tamping or spinning the molds
(centrifugal casting).

2. Double hub- is constructed with a hub on each end so it may be cut into two
pieces when a short piece of pipe is needed.
3. Hubless (no hub)- there is no hub on either ends of the pipe, it is used in lieu of
the single hub calking of the pipe is difficult.

TYPES OF CONCRETE PIPE

1. Non-reinforced concrete pipe- is used for drainage, sewer lines and for gravityflow water supply lines if the joints are carefully made. Diameters available range
from 100mm. (4) to 900mm (36).
2. Reinforced concrete pipe (RCP)- is made by the addition of steel wire or steel
bars and is primarily used for sewage and storm drainage. Diameters available
range from 300mm (12) to 3600mm (144)

PROPERTIES

Available diameter (Nom. I.D.)

2, 3 , 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15
Hydrostatic Test:
50 psi for service weight
100 psi for extra heavy

Length: 5 and 10

VITRIFIED CLAY PIPE

Vitrified clay pipe is extruded from a suitable grade of shale or clay and fired in kilns
producing an extremely hard and dense corrosion resistant material. It is generally used
for underground public sewers, house sewers, drainage (sanitary and storm) systems
and for industrial wastes such as acids.
Vitrified clay pipe is suitable for most gravity-flow systems and is not intended for
pressure service. It is brittle and cracks when laid on unstable ground or base.
PROPERTIES
*Diameter- 100mm (4) to 1050 mm (42)
*Grades- standard
- extra strength
- perforated
*Joints - cement joint
- pre-fabricated compression seals

TYPES OF JOINTS FOR CAST IRON SOIL PIPE

1. Lead and Oakum (calk joint)
2. Neoprene Compression gasket
3. Stainless Steel Couplings (for Hubless pipe)
*Oakum- a hemp treated with pitch to make it moisture proof and resistant to the
elements contained in the waste.
*Calking- plugging an opening with oakum and lead that are pounded into place.

*HUB- that portion of the pipe which, for a short distance, is sufficiently enlarged to
receive the end of another pipe of the same diameter for the purpose of making a joint.
It is also known as Bell.
*SPIGOT- the end of the pipe that fits into a bell or spigot.

FITTINGS FOR CAST IRON SOIL PIPE