Running head: WASTEWATER CONSTITUENTS LABORATORY 1

Laboratory 1: Wastewater Constituents

Medine Banton 1307022
Adrian Fagan 1301500
University of Technology, Jamaica
Abstract

The purpose of this experiment investigate the constituents of wastewater, which can be
categorized in three major types: chemical/biochemical, physical and biological characteristics.
The chemical/biochemical characteristics typically includes parameters such as pH, chlorides,
alkalinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, metals and organic compounds. In this experiment for
the chemical/biochemical characteristics the main focus was on the pH parameter and
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) using the DO method. A few of the physical characteristic
includes colour, odour, temperature, solids content, turbidity and conductivity. However for this
experiment only turbidity and , temperature was were investigated. The biological
characteristics comprises of microorganisms found in natural waters, wastewaters and
wastewater treatment plant processes including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, rotifers, algae and
viruses. The number of pathogenic bacteria found in wastewater are relatively few and hard to
isolate, so therefore, the use of an indicator organism such as coliforms was used to indicate the
possibility of contamination and presence of fecal coliforms. The tests for total suspended solids

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(TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were also carried out. A grab sample was collected on the
University of technology Jamaica campus, using the Sigma Max 900 portable sample. For the
three samples: Shellys, Lillians and the composite the turbidity, TS and total faecal coliform is
are out of the range of the standard values while the PpH and BOD were in accordance with
NEPAs standard. The temperature only Shellys and the composite were in range of the standard
values.

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Table of Content

List of figures and tables

Introduction

Experimental details

Discussion

10

Conclusion

14

References

15

Appendix

16

List of figures and Tables

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Parameters mg/L

Sample 1 (Shellys)

Sample 2 (Lillians)

Sample 3

246
6.9
28.6
Initial
8.47

(Composite)
518
6.7
33.6
Initial
Final
8.52
3.76

Turbidity (NTU)
pH
Temperature (oC)
BOD

48.6
7.1
29.4
Initial
8.51

TS
TSS
TDS
Total Coliform

0.2675
0.0781
0.1894
2400 MPN

0.5081
0.1575
0.3506
16000 MPN

0.1730
0.0121
0.1609
16000 MPN

Total Fecal coliform

Index/100 ml
1300 MPN

Index/100ml
16000 MPN

Index/100ml
16000 MPN

Index/100 ml

Index/100 ml

Index/100 ml

Final
6.88

Final
6.05

Table 1. Shows the results obtained for three samples of wastewater and the measured parameters
PARAMETER
EFFLUENT LIMIT
BOD5
20 mg/l
TSS

30 mg/l

Nitrates (as Nitrogen)

30 mg/l

Phosphates

10 mg/l

COD

100 mg/l

6-9

Faecal Coliform

1000 MPN/100ml

Residual Chlorine

1.5 mg/l

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Table 2. Showing NEPAs standards for effluent

Introduction

Wastewater refers to the sewage or liquid waste that is discharged into water bodies either
from direct sources or treatment plants including commercial establishments, household,
institutions, hospitals, and so on. It can also include storm-water and urban runoff, agricultural,
horticultural and aquaculture effluent. In simple terms, wastewater is all the dirty water from
municipal sources (poop, urine and fecal sludge). This includes black water, gray water and
yellow water. Some wastewater contain hazardous dissolved toxins and chemicals, whilst others
contain particle and sediments and suspended matter of all sizes. (Hammer, M. J., 2008)
Some sources of wastewater includes domestic sewage such as household, kitchen sinks
etc., and non-sewage such as urban runoffs, storm-water etc. Wastewater can be harmful if it
enters natural water bodies and gets in contact with humans and animals. Treatment facilities are
being developed to recycle and treat wastewater for human use such as household use.
Throughout the process of treating wastewater a variety of parameters should be measured

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consistently and accurately. Such parameters can be categorized under three major headings:
chemical/biochemical, physical and biological characteristics. The chemical/biochemical group
consist of parameters such as pH, chlorides, alkalinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, metals and
organic compounds (BOD). The physical parameters that can be tested includes but are not
limited to colour, odour, temperature, solids content, turbidity and conductivity. The biological
parameters includes including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, rotifers, algae, fecal coliforms and
viruses. The chemical/biochemical parameters pH and BOD were measured and investigated,
the pH test is done using a pH meter, a probe and deionized water. The probe is then rinsed with
the deionized water and pat dried then after the required volume of wastewater was measured the
probe is then placed in the beaker with measured wastewater and the meter is read for the pH and
temperature, after the value stabilized. The BOD value was obtained using the DO test, which
entailed using a ratio of 1:150 ml of wastewater to deionized or distilled water to fill a
specialized 300 ml BOD bottles designed to allow full filling with no air space, then a DO meter
is used to measure the initial dissolved oxygen concentration and again after a five day period.
BOD is the traditional, most widely used test to establish concentration of organic matter
in wastewater samples (i.e., relative strength). BOD is based on the principle that if sufficient
oxygen is available, aerobic biological decomposition (i.e., stabilization of organic waste) by
microorganisms will continue until all waste is consumed. The BOD test is also known as
"BOD5" since it is based on the accurate measure of DO (dissolved oxygen) at the beginning and
end of a five-day period in which the sample is held in dark, incubated conditions (i.e., 20C or
68F). The change in DO concentration over five days represents the "oxygen demand" for
respiration by the aerobic biological microorganisms in the sample. (Hammer, M. J., 2008)

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The Multiple-Tube Technique was used to test the total fecal coliform found in the
wastewater samples. In this method the coliform bacteria are detected and quantitated by their
ability to grow and produce gas in lactose-containing liquid medium under specified incubation
conditions. This technique actually consists of three successive steps or tests: Presumptive,
Confirmed, and Completed. For the Presumptive Test, dilutions of the sample are inoculated into
fermentation tubes of lactose or lauryl tryptose broth and incubated at 35C for 48 hr. For the
Confirmed Test, organisms from all positive fermentation tubes (those with growth plus gas) of
the Presumptive Test are transferred to fermentation tubes of brilliant green lactose bile broth and
incubated at 35C for 48 hr. Tubes showing both growth and gas are considered positive
Confirmed tubes. For the Completed Test, organisms from positive Confirmed tubes are isolated
in pure culture on agar plates of differential/selective media and then tested for: (1) growth and
gas production in fermentation tubes of lactose or lauryl tryptose broth incubated at 35C for 48
hr.; and a negative reaction in the Gram stain. For a positive Completed Test, the organisms must
show growth plus gas production in the fermentation tubes and be Gram negative. (Salmanikhas,
N., et. al., 2003).
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measure of the turbidity of the water. Even though we
can observe the TSS directly, because it gives a cloudy shade in the water, in order to determine
it a piece of filter paper is weighed as accurately as possible. Then a one liter sample of
wastewater is filtered through the weighed filter paper. After which the filter paper is allowed to
dry completely in an oven. Then after it has been dried the filter paper is reweighed. The
difference in weight is the weight of the total suspended solids. These experiments were carried
out in the wastewater laboratory.

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Experiment details

The following parameters were tested using various methods:

a) Turbidity, pH, temperature
b) Biochemical Oxygen Demand using the DO Method
c) Multiple-Tube Technique (MPN) for Total and Faecal Coliform Bacteria
d) TS, TSS, TDS
1. Using a Sigma Max 900 portable sample a grab sample of sewage from the University of
Technology Jamaica was collected.
2. To carry out the DO method a ratio of 1:150 ml of wastewater to deionized or distilled
water to fill a specialized 300 ml BOD bottles designed to allow full filling with no air
space was done, then a DO meter was used to measure the initial dissolved oxygen
concentration at that moment and again after a five day period.
3. The pH test was done using a pH meter, a probe and deionized water. The probe was
rinsed with the deionized water and pat dried then after the required volume of
wastewater was measured the probe was placed in the beaker with measured wastewater
and the meter was read for the pH and temperature, after the value stabilized.

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4. The Multiple-Tube Technique method was carried out in three successive tests:
Presumptive, Confirmed, and Completed. For the Presumptive Test, dilutions of the
sample was collected into fermentation tubes containing lactose broth and then incubated
at a temperature of 35o C for 48 hours. After which the Confirmed test was done, which
entailed transferring all the organisms from all positive fermentation tubes to brilliant
green lactose bile broth and incubated it for 48 hours at 35o C. After the period of 48
hours the completed test was carried out, where the organisms from the positive
confirmed tubes was isolated in pure culture on agar plates of differential/selective media
and then tested for: (1) growth and gas production in fermentation tubes of lactose or
lauryl tryptose broth incubated at 35o C for 48 hours; and a negative reaction in the Gram
stain.
5. To carry out the TSS test a piece of filter paper was weighed as accurately as possible.
Then a one liter sample of wastewater was filtered through the weighed filter paper.
After which the filter paper was allowed to dry completely in an oven. Then after it has
been dried the filter paper was reweighed. The difference in weight is the weight of the
total suspended solids.

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Discussion
Wastewater can be categorized in main different constituents these constituents can be
classified as physical, chemical/biochemical or biological. The parameters of interest that was
determined are Turbidity, pH, temperature, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) using the
Dissolve Oxygen Method, Multiple-Tube Technique (MPN) for Total and Faecal Coliform
Bacteria, Total Solids, Total Suspended Solids and the Total Dissolved Solids. The parameters
were assessed on a Class I (NEPA, 2005) water body. Class I means waters in the Cconvention
area that, due to inherent or unique environmental characteristics or fragile biological or
ecological characteristics or human use, are particularly sensitive to the impacts of domestic
water.
The turbidity which is an optical determination of the water clarity showed values 48.6,
246 and 518 units? for Shellys, Lillians, and composite samples respectively. These values
didnt meet (NEPA, 2005). This therefore can impact Jamaicas aquatic life in a negative way as

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the suspended sediments that cause turbidity can block light to aquatic plants, smother aquatic
organisms, and carry contaminants and pathogens, such as lead, mercury, and bacteria. For this
results however cannot conclude that the turbidity of Utechs UTECH, Ja., water fully violate
NEPA standard as the standards are based on an average flow and the samples were taken only
for a short period of time.
Chemical constituents of wastewater can be inorganic or organic and the effects of each
are quite diverse hence pH plays an important role in the waste water treatment process.
NEPAs pH standard for sewage effluent is a pH range of (6-9) pH units. The samples
tested (Shellys, Lillians, and composite) had pH values of 7.1, 6.7, and 6.9 respectively. This
result indicates that all the samples meet NEPA standards. The pH of wastewater has a profound
effect on the rate of microbial growth, pH affects the function of metabolic enzymes. Acidic
conditions or basic conditions alter the structure of the enzyme and stop growth.
Optimum temperatures for bacterial activity are in the ranges from about 25 to 35.
The temperature reading for the sample of Shellys and the composite; 21 and 28.6

respectively are within the range for biological activity

( 25 30 )

but the

temperature reading for the Lillians sample which was 33.6 was outside of this range.
The temperature of water is a very important parameter because of its effect on chemical
reactions and reaction rates, aquatic life, and the suitability of the water for beneficial uses.
Increased temperature, for example, can cause a change in the species of fish that can exist in the
receiving water body.
In the presence of free oxygen, aerobic bacteria use the organic matter found in
wastewater as food. The Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) test is an estimate of the food
available in the sample. The more food present in the waste, the more Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

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was required. The BOD test measures the strength of the wastewater by measuring the amount of
oxygen used by the bacteria as they stabilize the organic matter under controlled conditions of
time and temperature. The standard BOD effluent limit required is 20 mg/l (NEPA, 2005) and all
three samples collected were in accordance to this requirement. For results of the BOD test to be
accurate, much care must be taken in the actual process. For example, additional air cannot be
introduced. Temperature must be 20C, which is the usual temperature of bodies of water in
nature. The BOD test for the sample were taking an extended period of time and as such the data
collected may not me accurate.
TDS is not usually an important primary indicator of nonpoint source pollution of
groundwater, although this parameter can serve as an indicative of general water quality. Because
no probable sources for elevated TDS were noted adjacent to sampling sites, no nonpoint source
impacts could be confirmed.
The total coliform content of the samples Shellys, Lillians, and composite were 1300
MPN Index/100ml, 16000MPN Index/100ml, and 16000 MPN Index/100ml respectively. These
values were not in agreement with (NEPA, 2005) class I sewage standards. Total coliforms are a
group of bacteria that are widespread in nature. The members of the total coliform group can
occur in human feces, but some can be present in animal manure, soil and submerged wood and
in other places outside the human body.
NEPA required faecal coliform effluent is 1000 MPN/100 ml the samples Shellys,
Lillians, and composite were 1300 MPNIndex/100 ml,16000 MPNIndex/100 ml and 16000
MPN Index/100 ml respectively. This was way above NEPA standard.
There are two main types of wastewater sampling: grab sample and composite sample.
Grab sampling is just what it sounds like; all of the test material is collected at one time. As such,

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a grab sample reflects performance only at the point in time that the sample was collected, and
then only if the sample was properly collected. Composite sampling consists of a collection of
numerous individual discrete samples taken at regular intervals over a period of time, usually 24
hours. The material being sampled is collected in a common container over the sampling period.
The analysis of this material, collected over a period of time, will therefore represent the average
performance of a wastewater treatment plant during the collection period. Both sample are
recommended for this lab because grab sampling allows the analysis of specific types of unstable
parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorine residual, nitrites and temperature while
composite sampling would be ideal for the test of the total solids and the biological oxygen
demand.

Diagram 1. Showing process flow diagram of WWTP to be in compliance with NEPAs

regulation.

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Conclusion
The characteristics of wastewater at the University of Technology, Jamaica was not
completely in accordance with class I water body which is governed by NEPAs standard. For
the three samples: Shellys, Lillians and the composite the turbidity, TS and total faecal coliform
is out of the range of the standard values while the PH pH and BOD were in accordance with
NEPAs standard. The temperature only Shellys and the Composite composite were in range of
the standard values.

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References
Hammer, M.J., & Hammer, M J, (2008). Water and wastewater technology. Upper saddle River,
N. J., pearson/prentice hall,c2008m
Salmanikhas, N., & Tizqhadam M., (2003). Treatment of saline municipal waterwater using
hybrid growth system. Journal of Biological Engineering, 101-10.doi:101186/s
(2016). Nepa.gov.jm. Retrieved 2 October 2016, from
http://www.nepa.gov.jm/regulations/NRCA_Regulations_2005.pdf

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Appendix
Sample Calculations
Calculating TS for Shellys :
TS = TSS + TDS
TSS = 0.0781 g
TDS = 0.1894 g
TS = 0.0781 g + 0.1894 g = 0.2675 g
Converting TS into mg/l:
Since 50 ml of samples were used then the calculated TS is the amount in grams in 50 ml.
Therefore:
(0.2675 * 1000) = 267.5m g in 50 ml
267.5mg/50 ml = 5.35 mg/ml
5.35 mg in one ml therefore the amount in 1000 ml can be calculated

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(5.35 * 1000) = 5350 mg/l

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