Decoding Sewage: Quality and Characteristics Analysis
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
Decoding Sewage – Quality & Characteristics Analysis
Sewage is anything found in the drains and drains connected to houses, factories, offices, and other establishments. It is made up of both liquid and solid matter that originates from sinks, baths, toilets, and other sources. Sewage is both smelly and dangerous, and needs to be carefully managed. In this article, we discuss the different types of sewage and methods to analyse and measure its quality.
Types of Sewage
Sewage is broadly classified as blackwater and greywater depending on the type of water source and composition of the material contained in it.
- Blackwater – Blackwater contains water from toilets and is highly contaminated (अत्याचीन). It is composed of a combination of urea (यूरिया), faeces (मृत्युंजय रस), and other pathogenic microorganisms (रोगाणि जीवे).
- Greywater – Greywater includes wastewater from washing machines, bathrooms, and kitchen drains. It is composed of soaps and detergents (साबुन आणि डिटर्जेंट), and other organic particles (कृत्रिम पदार्थे).
Characteristics of Sewage
Various elements are responsible for the characteristics (विशेषता) of sewage. These are listed in the table below:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Solids | Solids in sewage can include solid matter, sand particles, and organic particles such as plant matter, etc. |
| PH (Ph Range) |
Ph is a measure of acidity. Sewage usually has a Ph between 6 and 8, and indicates the level of alkalinity. |
| Odour | An unpleasant odour from the sewage is an indicator of the presence of organic matter. |
| Turbidity | Turbidity in sewage is an indication of the presence of suspended solids in the liquid. |
| Suspended Solids | Suspended solids refer to particles that remain suspended in the liquid. |
| Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) | BOD is the amount of oxygen needed by microbial organisms to decompose organic material present in the sewage. |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) | COD is a measure of the concentration of organic compounds present in the sewage. |
| Nitrogen & Phosphorus | The presence of nitrogen compounds and phosphorus in sewage can indicate the presence of nutrients that can lead to algal blooms in rivers, streams, and lakes. |
Analysis of Sewage Quality
The quality of sewage is best assessed by conducting laboratory tests to determine the concentration of certain parameters including pH, BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and total suspended solids.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
The BOD test measures the amount of dissolved oxygen used (वापरले जाते) by natural bacteria to decompose organic matter present in the sewage. The test reveals the amount of organic matter present in the sewage, which helps to assess the treatment method and pollution potential.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
This test measures the total concentration of organic compounds present in the sewage. The result of this test can be used to determine the possible treatment methods needed in order to reduce and remove contaminants in the sewage.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
TSS is a measure of all solids present in the sewage that are suspended in the water column. These solids include sand particles, plant matter, and other organic particles. This parameter helps to determine the amount of organic matter present in the sewage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sewage is a complex mix of water, solid matter, and organic compounds. It is important to analyse and measure the quality of sewage in order to ensure safe recycling and treatment. Analysis of sewage involves laboratory tests that measure parameters such as BOD, COD, and TSS. These tests help to determine the concentration of organic compounds, indicating the treatment options and pollution potential of the sewage.
