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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Q: What does the abbreviation ETP stand for?
A: ETP stands for Effluent Treatment Plant.
Q: Why is an ETP necessary?
A: Textile industries, particularly the dyeing component, produce wastewater, otherwise known as effluent, as a byproduct of their production. This effluent contains several pollutants, which can be removed with the help of an
ETP. The outputs from an ETP are normally clean water, the extent of cleanliness being dependent on the
components of the ETP and quality of the effluent inputted to the system. Effluents from dye houses need to be
treated to produce an effluent that conforms to Bangladesh environmental standards.
Q: What factors should be considered when establishing an ETP?
A: Any factory needing to install and ETP has to consider several factors. The main factors to be considered are
presented below.

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Q: What are the means of effluent treatment?

A: Effluent can be treated in a number of different ways depending on the composition of the effluent and the level
of treatment required. These levels could be classified into the following types: Preliminary, Primary, Secondary,
and Tertiary. The mechanisms for treatment can be divided into three broad categories: Physical, Chemical, and
Biological. Many of these processes are used together in a single treatment plant.
Q: What does preliminary treatment involve?
A: Preliminary treatment is a set of processes done before the main treatment it usually involves use of very crude
simple processes to remove materials that might adversely affect the real treatment process. Examples include
screening or de-gritting. Screening involves use of simple physical screens to remove rags, sticks, and stones etc.
which might for example block pipe work or damage pumps. De-gritting involves removal of small stones grit (a
few mm.in diameters) which might wash from roads and could damage the ETP. Usually simple sedimentation is
involved. Preliminary treatment is very important in treatment of domestic sewage, it is less important for dyeing
effluents although screening (with simple parallel bar screens) might be needed to remove rags.
Q: What does primary treatment involve?
Primary treatment is the first step in the treatment process rather than simply preparing the effluent for treatment it

actual reduces the pollution potential. In treatment of domestic sewage primary treatment typically involves settling
out of small colloidal particles (faecal matter, paper, food particles), this removes a large portion of BOD/COD and
suspended solids. In treatment of dye house effluents settling is not normally used as a primary treatment process.
pH control is an important aspect of primary treatment of textile wastes as these often have extreme pHs which
need to be adjusted prior to discharge in order to meet effluent standards. pH control is also important to prepare
effluent for biological treatment as extreme pH can kill or inhibit microbes in treatment plants.
Q: What is the difference between secondary and tertiary treatment of effluent?
A: Secondary treatment biologically purifies settled effluent. Mainly bacterial micro organisms digest the effluent
and remove the majority of organic compounds primary and secondary treatment should between then produce an
effluent suitable for discharge. Tertiary treatment describes any additional treatment process designed to achieve
even higher standards of water quality. Tertiary treatment processes can further remove suspended solids,
microorganisms, inorganic minerals (like ammonia, nitrate or phosphate) and possibly colour. Such tertiary
treatments are often used ti create very high effluents from ETPS which discharge it environmentally sensitive
areas.
Q: What components of effluents can an ETP remove?
A: This is very hard to answer as it depends on the constituents of the effluent and the components of the ETP. But
generally it reduces the biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids
(TSS) and colour. It also neutralizes pH.
Some materials like total dissolved solids (TDS) are very difficult to reduce when they comprise of inorganic mineral
salts.
Q: What does BOD means?
A: The term BOD stands for biological (or biochemical) oxygen demand. It is the most common parameter of water
quality measurement and is important since it indicates the likely effect of pollution on the environment. When
biodegradable organic matter is released into a water body, microorganisms feed on the waste, breaking it down to
simpler organic and inorganic substances. In an aerobic environment it produces stable end products (carbondioxide, sulfate, phosphate and nitrate) but in the process reduced the levels of dissolved oxygen content of water
often with fatal consequences for aquatic life. BOD is relatively difficult to measure partly as it must be tested within
a few hours of the sample being taken. It is used to monitor the effectiveness of an ETP and to determine if the
effluent reaches the required standards. However, it takes 5 days to complete and so is not used in the day to day
monitoring of ETP performance.
Q: What does COD means?
A: The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is another indication of the total amount of oxygen required to oxidize the
waste components. It is equal to the number of milligrams of oxygen which a liter of sample will absorb from a hot,
acidic solution of potassium dichromate. COD is a measure of the oxygen equivalent of the organic material
chemically oxidized in the reaction. Generally, more components of the wastewater sample can be chemically
oxidized in this manner than in the standard BOD test. The COD of a sample is more stable and therefore is often
considered of more use than the BOD of a sample. It is quite a rapid method and can be assessed in several
different ways but all of them only between a few minutes and a few hours (usually 2-3 hours). It is therefore much
faster than BOD and so can be used in monitoring and controlling ETP operation.
Q: Is there a fixed relationship between BOD and COD?
A: COD is always higher than BOD, but there is no fixed relationship between these parameters which applies to all
effluents. However for specific effluents it may be possible to develop an approximate relationship which wouls
allow estimation of BOD from COD however this will not be a reliable relationship

Q: What are the waste discharge quality standards for industrial units and projects discharging effluent to
surface water sources in Bangladesh?
A:
Parameter

Unit

Inland
Surface
water

Ammoniacal Nitrogen
mg/l
(N molecule)
Ammonia (free ammonia) mg/l
mg/l
Arsenic
0
mg/l
BOD5 20 C
mg/l
Boron (B)
mg/l
Cadmium (Cd)

50

Public Sewer Irrigated

secondary
Land
treatment
plant
75
75

5
0.2
50

5
0.5
250

15
0.2
100

2
0.05

2
0.5

2
0.5

Chloride (Cl--)
Chromium (total Cr)
COD
Chromium (hexavalent Cr)
Copper (Cu)
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Electrical Conductivity
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Fluoride (F)
Sulfide (S)
Iron (Fe)
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (N)

mg/l

600

600

600

mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
micro mho/cm
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l

0.5
200
0.1
0.5
4.5-8
1200
2100
7
1
2
100

1.0
400
1.0
3.0
4.5-8
1200
2100
15
2
2
100

1.0
400
1.0
3.0
4.5-8
1200
2100
10
2
2
100

Lead (Pb)
Manganese (Mn)
Mercury (Hg)
Nickel (Ni)
Nitrate (N molecule)
Oil & grease
Phenol compounds (C6H5OH)
Dissolved Phosphorus (P)
Radioactive materials:
pH

mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
As determined by

0.1
0.1
0.1
5
5
5
0.01
0.01
0.01
1.0
1.0
1.0
10.0
Undetermined
10.0
10
20
10
1.0
5
1
8
8
10
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission
6-9
6-9
6-9

Selenium (Se)
Zn (Zn)
Temperature

mg/l
mg/l
Centigrade

0.05
5.0

0.05
10.0

0.05
10.0

Summer
Winter
Total Suspended Solid (TSS)
Cyanide (CN)

mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l

40
45
150
0.1

40
45
500
2.0

40
45
200
0.2

Source: Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh (2000), The Environment Conservation Rules 1997,
(unofficial translation), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Dhaka.
Q: What is the typical flow diagram of a Physico-Chemical Treatment Plant in Bangladesh?
A: Typical Physico-Chemical Treatment Plant in Bangladesh

Q: What chemicals are typically used as coagulants and flocculants?

A: Aluminium sulphate or ferrous sulphate plus lime are the commonest coagulants while cationic polyelectrolytes
are used as flocculants.
Q: What is the typical flow diagram of a Biological Treatment Plant in Bangladesh?
A: Typical Physico-Chemical Treatment Plant in Bangladesh

Q: What is the typical flow diagram of a Physico-Chemical & Biological Treatment Plant in Bangladesh?
A: Typical Physico-Chemical Treatment Plant in Bangladesh:

Q: Why is an equalization tank and why is equalization of different flow considered important in
wastewater treatment process?
A: The objective of equalization is to minimize or control fluctuations in wastewater characteristics in
order to provide optimum conditions for subsequent treatment processes. Equalization can be both a
terms of composition and flow rate. The purpose of equalization for industrial treatment facilities are:
To help adequate pH control or to minimize the chemical requirements necessary for neutralization.
To minimize flow surges to physical-chemical treatment systems and permit chemical feed rates compatible with feeding
equipment.
To provide continuous feed to biological systems over periods when the manufacturing plant is not operating.
To prevent high concentrations of toxic materials from entering the biological treatment plant.

Q: How necessary is to use Chlorination at the end of treatment?

A: Sometimes the designers include a chlorination unit as a final stage in ETP. The main objective of chlorination is
to disinfect effluents to remove disease causing micro-organisms (pathogens). If an ETP, designed to treat textile
liquid waste is not used to treat human sewage of the factory also, then it is very unlikely that the factory effluent
will contain any significant numbers of pathogens. In the local context, release of un-chlorinated effluent is unlikely
to represent a significant additional health risk. Moreover, chlorination of effluents such as those from dye houses
may produce poisonous chemicals due to the reaction of chlorine with aromatic chemicals in the effluent these
chlorinated organic chemicals are often known as AOX, and are undesirable. So it is a good practice not to use
chlorination unit in an ETP which is designed only to treat effluent from the dye house.
Q: What kind of source of micro-organisms is appropriate for an effective ASP?
A: At starting up of the ASP a good source of micro-organisms will be required. It is common practice to use cowdung, this is not particularly appropriate. The micro-organisms in cow-dung are mainly adapted to life in the
absence of oxygen and are adapted to degrade grass and straw, etc., not textile-processing effluent. It would be
advantageous to use a source of micro-organisms that are likely to be better adapted to degradation of textile
effluents. Such organisms can be found in an activated sludge from a plant which is currently operating (any
activated sludge will be useful but AS from a plant treating similar wastes will be particularly good), also water and
sediment from a polluted river. While cow manure can be used it should at least be supplemented with these more
appropriate materials.
Q: Presence of what amount of bacteria will be denoted as Sufficient Amount of Bacteria in ASP? What is
the correct amount of activated sludge biomass in an activated sludge plant (ASP)?
A: It is difficult to say. The size of the microbial population the amount of sludge which is required, will vary
depending on many factors including the strength of the effluent (BOD) and the amount of nutrients present. It will
also depend on the flow rates of effluent, the volume of the treatment plant and how it is operated. The Activated
Sludge (AS) is a mixture of live micro-organisms. The microbes in the sludge plant use the nutrients in the effluent.
The microbes in the sludge plant use the nutrients in the effluent for food and increase in numbers. Each millilitre of
a good activated sludge will contain in the region of 109 to 1010 live bacteria (1,000,000,000) or more and may be
10,000 or more protozoa. If the flow and concentration of the effluent stay the same the amount of AS should stay
roughly the same or slowly increase. If the amount of AS markedly decreases it suggests that there may be a
problem in the operation of the ASP (such as bulking) and expert advice should be obtained.
Q: What does effluent from dyeing processes comprise of?
A: The effluent from dye houses will consist of a mixture of all the chemicals used in the dyeing process plus
materials derived from the fabric being dyed. For cotton dyeing small fibres of cotton will be detached from the
fabric during scouring/bleaching, dyeing and washing stages. During the scouring and bleaching process some
components of the cotton fibres such as pectin, waxes and oils will also be dissolved and dirt will be released. So
the effluent will contain among other things, cellulose fibres, dyes, salts, caustic soda and soda ash, surfactants,
acetic acid from neutralisation stages, and any auxiliaries used.
Q: Who do I need to contact regarding the installation of an ETP?
A: You will need to find an ETP designer who will be able to provide you with the design of an ETP which should be
capable of treating your effluent to the desired standard. In designing your ETP the designer should take into
account the current amount of production and effluent flow rate but also should consider planned expansions of
production. Ideally the design will be flexible enough to allow for expansion of the ETP if production is further
increased in the future.
It will be useful to discuss your planned ETP and get additional information from other independent sources. For
example colleagues in the textile industry who already have ETPs or academics. You should approach several

ETP suppliers and in addition to getting financial quotes you should appraise their knowledge and track record. It
would be useful to obtain references.
In addition to the consultations listed above you are required under the Environmental Conservation Act 1995 and
the Environmental Conservation Rules 1997 to submit the design for your ETP to the Department of the
Environment for Bangladesh for approval.
Indeed, factories should have an ETP installed prior to opening of the factory and should have obtained an
Environmental Clearance Certificate from DoE before the factory starts production in practice such advanced
permission is not always sought. Factories build before 1995 will not have needed to install an ETP prior to factory
operation
Q: What possible land area is required to setup an ETP?
A: The area needed for an ETP depends mostly on the quality of wastewater to be treated, flow rate, the type of
biological treatment to be used and the orientation of different treatment units. In general physico-chemical
treatment plants require the least area and biological treatment plants requires the largest area, but good civil
engineering can greatly reduce the land area required and some factories in Bangladesh have had ETPs designed
on several levels to minimise the land area used. This will require a few extra pumps and piping, and stronger tank
walls, so construction costs may be higher for tall structures. However, some more recent biological treatment
processes use much less space than more traditional treatments (examples include submerged fixed film
bioreactors and trickling filter towers with light weight plastic support media)
Example of the Area Requirement of Some ETPs
Physico-chemical
Area required
(for 30 cubic metre/hour flow)

80 sq metre

Biological
170 sq metre

Combined
chemical
and Biological

Physico-

140 sq metre

* The area requirement values given in this table are not absolute and depend on the exact design of the ETP but
they provide a broad comparison of the possible area requirements.
Q: What is the possible cost of installing and running ETP?
A: The installation costs of ETPs can vary greatly depending on such factors as the materials used including the
quality and source of the equipment (e.g. pumps and air blowers) and land area and dimensions for construction,
the quality and quantity of wastewater to be treated, and the quality of the required output. In addition, the operating
costs of ETPs also depend on quality and quantity of inputs such as chemicals and energy, the method of
treatment and the efficiency of ETP management.
The following table gives an idea of the potential costs. These are based on examples of costs provided by
industrialists with ETPs or who are planning to install ETPs in Bangladesh.
Installation and Operational Costs Comparison of ETPs in Bangladesh

Normal Range
Possible Range

Capacity
(m3/month)
20,000
20,000

Installation cost
(Tk)
4,000,000-6,000,000
3,000,000-12,000,000

**Running Cost
(Tk/month)
600,000-800,000
400,000-3,000,000

**Running Cost
(Tk/m3/month)
30-40
20-150

* These figures were provided by designers and industries and may vary considerably from plant to plant.
* Excluding depreciation