Introduction to Sanitary

Engineering
Engr. Juniffen I. Tacadena
What is Sanitary Engineering?
It is the branch of public health engineering which
deals with the prevention and maintenance of the
health of individual and the community. It consists
of scientific and methodical collection, conveyance,
treatment and disposal of the waste matter.
Sanitary Engineering?
The National Plumbing Code of the Philippines
section 108 and section 410 states that “Each
building shall be provided with sanitary facilities
in accordance with best practice for mobility of
disabled persons as provided in the National
Building Code of the Philippines or by other
government departments having jurisdiction.”
Definition of Terms
Refuse – it indicates what is refused or rejected. It can
be in the form of liquid or solid. It is divided into five
categories (Garbage, Sewage, Storm Water, Sub-soil
Water and Sullage)

Garbage – it includes decayed fruits, grass, leaves,

paper, vegetables, etc.
 Definition of Terms
Sewage – it is used to indicate liquid waste from the community
like industrial wastes. Also called Waste Water.

Sullage – the waste water from the bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Sewer – underground pipes through which the sewage is

conveyed.
 Definition of Terms
Storm water – that portion of the rainfall or other
precipitation which runs of over the earth surface after a
storm .

Surface water – that portion of rainfall or other

precipitation which runs off over the surface of the ground
.
 Definition of Terms
Night soil – it indicates human and animal excreta.
 Collection and Conveyance of
wastewater, sanitary and
storm water
The soil and liquid waste are to be properly collected and
conveyed to a suitable spot for treatment and disposal.
 Method of carrying refuse or
waste water
There are two methods which are employed for the
collection and disposal of refuse of a locality:

1.Conservancy System
2.Water Carriage System
 Conservancy System
In this system, the different types of refuse are collected separately and
then each type is carried and suitably disposed off.

The garbage or dry refuse is collected from roads. It is then conveyed by

trucks or carts. The garbage is then separated into two categories
(flammable and non-flammable). Flammable is burnt into incineration
while those that are not flammable will be buried into low lying areas.
 Conservancy System
The storm water and sullage are collected by closed or
open channel. They are discharge on natural river or
streams.

Night soil are collected separately then buried into the

ground, thus converted into manure.
 Conservancy System
Disadvantages:
1. The maintenance cost is very high.
2. Labor problem – entirely depend on the labors. If the workers goes on
strike, the public health is put into great danger.
3. Land for disposal – especially for night soils.
4. For the open drains, it creates unsanitary condition.
5. Pollution of water – there is a chance that liquid waste may soak in
ground then the underground supply of water will be polluted.
6. If the sewage is not properly disposed, then there is a chance of outbreak.
 Water Carriage System

In this system, the water is used as a medium to

convey the sewage to the point of treatment or final
disposal. It is carried by sewer lines.
 Water Carriage System
Advantages:
1.Compact design – this system permits compact design of
building as lavatories is accomodated at any part of the building.
2.Hygienic – it is hygienic in nature as the sewage is carried out in
closed pipe sewer line.
3.Land for treatment work is smaller.
4.Few labor are required.
 Common System of Sewerage:
1.Separate System
2.Combined System
3.Partially Separate System
 Separate System

In this system, two sets of sewer are laid, one for

carrying sewage and the other for carrying storm
water. The sewage is carried on the treatment plant
while the storm water is carried on river or stream.
 Separate System
Advantages:
1. Load is less
2. Natural water is not polluted
3. The sewer is small
4. Economical

Disadvantages:
1. The cleaning of sewer is difficult
2. Maintenance Cost is high
 Combined System

In this system, one sewer is laid, it is for both sewage and storm
water. It is carried to treatment plant.
 Combined System
Advantages:
1.Easy to clean as the sewer line is large
2.Maintenance Cost is reasonable
3.Economical

Disadvantages:
1.Due to heavy storm, the sewer may overflow.
2.If it is not properly designed, it gets silted.
 Partially Separate System

In this system, the arrangement is made to permit early

washing by rain into sewer carrying sewage but when the
wuantity of storm water exceed a particular limit, it is
collected and conveyed in open tract to the river.
 Partially Separate System
Advantages:
1.The entry of storm water avoid silting in sewer.
2.Disposing of storm water from house is
simple.

Disadvantages:
1.The velocity of flow is low during dry season.
 Wastewater Quantity Estimation
The flow of sanitary sewage alone in the absence of
storms in dry season is known as Dry Weather Flow
(DWF).

Quantity = (Per Capita Sewage contributed per day) x

(Population)
Design Period and Population Forecast
This quantity should be worked out with due provision for
the estimated requirements of the future. The future
period for which a provision is made in the scheme is
known as “design period”. It is suggested that the
construction of sewage treatment plant may be carried
out in phases with an initial design period from 5 to 10
years excluding the construction period.