Title: Environmental Health and Public Health Laws.

(PHE 315.)

Topic: Sewage and Refuse Disposal Systems

Presented by:
Dr. Henry Aisagbonhi, ( BMLS, MPH, PhD.PH. )

DATE: NOV., 2024.

ANCHOR UNIVERSITY
Environmental Health and
Health Laws.
(PHE 315)

Sewage and Refuse Disposal

Systems
 Content
• Introduction to Sewage and Refuse • Health Aspects of Sewage
Disposal
• Composition of Sewage
• What is Sewage?.
• Sewage Purification: Objectives
• Health Impacts of Inadequate Sewage
Disposal • Decomposition of Organic Matter in
Sewage
• Composition of Sewage
• Disposal of Sewage Effluent
• Aim of Sewage Purification
• Other Methods of Sewage Disposal
• Decomposition of Organic Matter
• Conclusion
• Modern Sewage Treatment Systems
• References
• Disposal of Effluent and Sludge
• Other Methods of Sewage Disposal
1. Introduction to Sewage and Refuse Disposal

Effective sewage and refuse disposal systems are essential for

maintaining public health and preventing
environmental contamination. Proper management reduces disease
transmission, controls
environmental pollution, and promotes sustainable health in
communities. This lecture will focus on
the components of sewage, its treatment processes, and refuse disposal
techniques.
 2. What is Sewage?

Sewage is wastewater that originates from domestic, industrial, or commercial

sources. It consists of
both solid and liquid excreta from households, street washings, industrial waste,
and sometimes storm
water. The term "sullage” refers to wastewater that doesn't contain human
excreta, such as water from
kitchens and bathrooms.
Sewage refers to wastewater from a community, including solid and liquid
excreta, waste from
households, street washings, and effluents from factories and industries. It
typically has an unpleasant
odour, resembling dirty water. Sewage can be classified into two types:
 Sewage can be classified into two types:
- Sullage: Wastewater that does not contain human excreta, such as water
from kitchens and bathrooms.

- Sewage: Wastewater that contains human excreta.

The flow of sewage in sewer systems varies depending on people's water
usage habits and the time of day, with peak flows usually occurring in the
morning and evening. The term "dry weather flow" refers to the average
sewage flow over 24 hours.

Factors Influencing Sewage Quantity:

1. Habits of the people – Increased water usage leads to more sewage.

2. Time of day – Sewage flow fluctuates throughout the day, with peaks in
the morning and evening.
 3. Health Impacts of Inadequate Sewage
Disposal

• Health Impacts of Inadequate Sewage Disposal

Improper sewage disposal can cause a wide range of environmental
and health problems, including:
- Nuisance and unpleasant odors
- Breeding grounds for mosquitoes and flies
- Soil and water pollution
- Contamination of food
- Increased disease transmission, especially enteric and helminthic
diseases.
 4. Composition of Sewage

• Composition of Sewage
Sewage is composed of:
- 99.9% water
- 0.1% solid matter, which includes both organic and
inorganic materials.
Sewage also contains millions of bacteria and pathogens,
such as E. coli and faecal streptococci that
can pose significant public health risks.
 5. Aim of Sewage Purification
• Aim of Sewage Purification
The primary goal of sewage treatment is to stabilize the organic
content, making it safe for disposal into land, rivers, or the sea. This
prevents the depletion of oxygen in water sources, which could
otherwise lead to the death of aquatic life.

Key Indicator:
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) – It measures the amount of
oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in
sewage.
A high BOD indicates "strong" sewage, while a low BOD indicates
"weak" sewage.
 6. Decomposition of Organic Matter

• Decomposition of Organic Matter

Organic matter in sewage decomposes through two processes:
6.1 Aerobic Decomposition
- Requires oxygen for bacteria to break down organic matter into
simpler compounds (e.g., CO₂, water, ammonia, and nitrates).

6.2 Anaerobic Decomposition

- Occurs in environments lacking oxygen, and results in the
production of methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen
sulphide.
 7. Modern Sewage Treatment Systems
• 7. Modern Sewage Treatment Systems
Sewage treatment involves a two-step process:
Modern sewage treatment systems use biological processes involving anaerobic
and aerobic bacteria.

Treatment typically occurs in two stages:

A. Primary Treatment
- Solids are separated by screening and sedimentation, followed by anaerobic
digestion. This involves the physical separation of solids from sewage through:
- Screening – Removes large objects like rags, wood, and garbage.
- Grit Chamber – Removes heavy solids such as sand and gravel.
- Primary Sedimentation – Allows suspended solids to settle, separating sludge
from the liquid effluent.
 7. Modern Sewage Treatment Systems

• B. Secondary Treatment
This involves aerobic oxidation of organic matter.
Two main processes include:
- Trickling Filter Method – Effluent passes through a bed of stones
where bacteria and microorganisms oxidize the organic matter.
- Activated Sludge Process – A more efficient process where the
effluent is aerated in a tank
containing activated sludge (a culture of aerobic bacteria). This
process requires mechanical aeration
and is suitable for large cities due to its efficiency.
 8. Disposal of Effluent and Sludge
• Disposal of Effluent and Sludge
Effluent and sludge are by-products of sewage treatment, requiring
careful disposal:
8.1 Effluent Disposal
- Disposal by dilution – The effluent is released into rivers or seas
where natural processes dilute and break down pollutants.
- Disposal on land – Effluent can be used for irrigation if the land is
suitable.
8.2 Sludge Digestion
- Anaerobic digestion – Sludge undergoes anaerobic decomposition in
sludge digestion tanks, reducing its volume and odour. The by-
products, such as methane, can be used for heating or energy
generation.
 9. Other Methods of Sewage Disposal
Other Methods of Sewage Disposal
9.1 Sea Outfall
Sewage is discharged into the sea where it undergoes natural dilution.
However, there is a risk of offensive solids being washed ashore.
9.2 River Outfall
The flow of sewage in sewer systems varies depending on people's water
usage habits and the time of day, with peak flows usually occurring in
the morning and evening. The term "dry weather flow" refers to the
average sewage flow over 24 hours.
9.3 Land Treatment (Sewage Farming)
Involves the application of sewage to farmland where crops are grown.
This method is effective but must be managed properly to avoid
"sewage sickness."
 10. Health Aspects of Sewage

Improper sewage disposal can lead to several environmental and health

issues, including:
- Nuisance and unpleasant odors
- Breeding of disease vectors like flies and mosquitoes
- Pollution of soil and water supplies
- Contamination of food
- Increased incidence of enteric and helminthic diseases
 Composition of Sewage

• Sewage is composed of 99.9% water, with the remaining 0.1% being

solid matter, which includes both organic and inorganic substances.
The offensive nature of sewage comes from its organic matter, which
decomposes and emits foul odors. Additionally, sewage contains
microorganisms from feces, including bacteria like Escherichia coli
and Clostridium perfringens.
 11. Sewage Purification: Objectives
• The goal of sewage purification is to stabilize organic matter to
prevent water pollution and create an effluent suitable for disposal
into land, rivers, or the sea. Two key indicators of sewage quality are:

- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): Measures the amount of

oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter.
Untreated domestic sewage typically has a BOD of 300 mg/L or more.

- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): Measures the oxygen equivalent

of organic matter in sewage that can be oxidized by chemical agents.
 12. Decomposition of Organic Matter in Sewage

The breakdown of organic matter in sewage occurs via:

1. Aerobic Process: Requires oxygen and is efficient in reducing
organic matter into simpler compounds like carbon dioxide and water.

2. Anaerobic Process: Effective for sewage with high solid content,

leading to the production of methane, ammonia, and hydrogen.
 13. Disposal of Sewage Effluent
There are two main methods for sewage effluent disposal:

1. Disposal by Dilution: Effluent is discharged into water bodies,

where it is diluted and oxidized. Care must be taken to ensure that the
receiving water body can handle the effluent load without causing
pollution.

2. Disposal on Land: Effluent is used for irrigation, with careful

selection of crops that will not be contaminated by sewage.
 Other Methods of Sewage Disposal

• Other Methods of Sewage Disposal

- Sea Outfall: Sewage is discharged into the sea, where it is diluted
and oxidized.

- River Outfall: Sewage is treated before being discharged into rivers.

- Land Treatment (Sewage Farming): Sewage is applied to land,
where it is used for irrigation and crops are grown on ridges.
Sewage should be purified before being discharged into rivers.
The degree of purification depends on the river's dilution capacity.
 Conclusion
Effective sewage treatment and disposal are critical to preventing
environmental pollution and protecting public health.
The use of biological processes and modern sewage treatment plants
ensures the safe disposal of sewage, while minimizing the risk of
waterborne diseases and environmental contamination.
Sewage and refuse disposal systems play a critical role in protecting
public health and the environment.
Effective management involves understanding the composition of
sewage, its decomposition processes, and implementing modern
treatment techniques. Proper disposal methods ensure the
sustainability of ecosystems and prevent the spread of diseases.
 References

Park, K. (2021). Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social

Medicine (25th ed.). Banarsidas Bhanot.
 ASSIGNMENT 3. Part of CA.
• Based on the lecture notes, here are 5 Questions:
1. What is sewage, and how is it classified in the context of
environmental health?
2. Explain the potential health impacts of inadequate sewage disposal
on communities.
3. Describe the primary and secondary stages of modern sewage
treatment, including their methods and purposes.
4. What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic
decomposition in sewage treatment?
5. Discuss the methods of disposal for sewage effluent and sludge,
highlighting their environmental considerations.
 •PLEASE READ.
•DO YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBMIT
TO YOUR CLASS REPRESENTATIVE
BEFORE FRIDAY- 22nd NOVEMBER,
2024 @ 4PM.

THANKS