July 2010, Volume 1, No.

1
International Journal of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Onsite Greywater Treatment Using Septic Tank

Followed by Intermittent Sand Filter- A Case Study
of Abu Al Farth Village in Jordan
Almoayied K. Assayed*, Sahar S. Dalahmeh, Wael T. Suleiman

Royal Scientific Society-Environmental Research Centre Al-Jubaiha Jordan

* Corresponding Author email: a.assayed@surrey.ac.uk

Abstract
This paper aims at presenting a case study of onsite greywater treatment in small rural community in Jordan using septic
tank followed by intermittent sand filter. A 1 m3 septic tank followed by 6m2 intermittent sand filter of 1m in depth were
used to treat an average flow of 150L/Day of greywater effluent from single household in Abu Al Farth Village in the
Badia of Jordan. The raw greywater has a total BOD5 of about 1149mg/L, total suspended solids TSS of 606mg/L, COD
of 1952mg/L and E.coli of 9400MPN/100mL. The treatment efficiency of BOD5, COD, total suspended solids and E.coli
were 95%, 93%, 95% and 90% respectively. The treated greywater has average BOD5 of 59 mg/L, TSS of 31 mg/L,
COD of 161 mg/L and E.coli of 227 MPN/100mL. The quality of treated greywater complies with the Jordanian
Standards JS (893/2006) for the Reclaimed Wastewater reuse for restricted irrigation.

1. Introduction agricultural use of freshwater and increased food security

Greywater is commonly defined as wastewater
without input from toilets and kitchen. Separation of
domestic wastewater at source is wide spread practice in
many of the rural communities in Jordan; blackwater from
toilets discharged to cesspools and septic tanks, while
greywater is directly discharged to the environment or
used for irrigation without treatment [1]. This indigenous
practice of source separation provides a potential for
development of sustainable greywater management
systems [2] based on the principle of ecological sanitation
or what so called "Ecosan" [3].
Greywater can be considered an alternative that
provides non-potable water for household usage, and thus
reduces the per capita water use by 50% [4]. For this
reason it provides an attractive and sustainable low cost
water source especially in the arid and semiarid areas due
to the water scarcity and fluctuation in the rainfall patterns
[5].
The issue of greywater management is gaining
importance especially in low and middle income countries
where inadequate wastewater management has
detrimental impacts on public health and environment. In
the recent years, greywater has been linked not only to
environmental degradation and serious health risks, but
has also been increasingly identified as a valuable source
of water that if properly used for irrigation can reduce the
as well as improves public health [6].
In 1997 reclaimed wastewater was officially
approved in the national strategy of Jordan as a non
conventional water source that shall be managed and
treated to a standard level that allows its use for non
domestic use [7].
Greywater management is a critical issue that not
only depends on the technical feasibility of the treatment
system, but also depends on human issues such as public
perceptions and health [8]. According to Nolde (1999)
and (2005), greywater reuse after treatment shall satisfy
four criteria: Hygienic safety, aesthetics, environmental
tolerance and technical and economical feasibility [9, 10].
Treatment technologies for making greywater safe for
indoor use or for irrigation are many and diverse and they
vary from simple systems in single household to advanced
systems for large scale reuse. Course filtration with
disinfection represents the most common technology used
for greywater treatment in many places in the world [8].
Septic tank followed by sand filter is an alternative for
greywater treatment [11]. Septic tank, acts as a settling
basin for the wastewater in which heavy materials settle
down to the bottom of the tank whereas water and other
materials are found above the sludge, while soap and
grease form a floating scum layer [12]. Intermittent sand
filters provide unsaturated downward flow of wastewater
 Onsite Greywater Treatment Using Septic Tank Followed by Intermittent Sand Filter-
through mineral sand, so as to provide biodegradation or
decomposition of wastewater constituents by bringing the
wastewater into close contact with a well developed
aerobic biological community attached to the surfaces of
the filter media [12].
Intermittent sand filters are proposed as an efficient
and economic treatment technology for domestic-strength
wastewater, and can produce an effluent with low organic
and pathogenic content [13].
1.1 Study area
Integrated wastewater management policies and
technologies in the marginal communities on Jordan,
2003-2007" is a development research project focuses on
greywater management in the rural communities in the
North-eastern Badia of Jordan. Two pilot scale treatment
units were constructed in two villages in the North-eastern
Badia of Jordan. Selection of villages where the treatment
plants were constructed based on a selection criteria took
into consideration: 1. current wastewater management
practices (existing greywater separation and household
agriculture), 2. social acceptance & favourability for
treatment, operation and maintenance of the treatment
system and 3. potential for replication in other similar
communities in terms of environmental conditions,
practices, and building/housing style [11].
Abu Al Farth village is one of the two villages that
met community selection criteria where septic tank
followed by intermittent sand filter pilot unit was
constructed to serve single household in the village. The
household is inhibited by 9 people with the monthly
income ranges from US$ 185 to US$420. The blackwater
of the household is diverted to cesspool while the
greywater is used to irrigate the olive trees. The average
consumptive use of water of this family is about
40L/Capita.day [1].
2. Materials and Method
2.1Quality and Quantity Measurements
Greywater quality and quantity was monitored for
seven months before the construction of the septic tank-
Intermittent sand filter system, from March 2005 to
September 2005. 14 greywater samples were collected
and analyzed from three sampling points in the
household; kitchen sink, washing machine & bath tub and
hand washing basin & moping basin. Composite
greywater samples were collected over 24 hrs using
barrels that were previously graduated over the height for
the purpose of flow measurement. Contents of the barrels
were mixed thoroughly before sampling. Collected
samples were transferred to Royal Scientific Society RSS
labs and analyzed for pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC),
Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),
Total Phosphorus (T-P), Ammonia (NH4), Fat, Oil and
Grease (FOG), total and faecal coliform and E.coli. All
chemical analyses were carried out according to the
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Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater [14].
2.2Design Calculations
a. Septic tank
Vliq = Q× HRT
Q × CTSS × RTSS × 365
Vsl =
Csl .
Vscum = Hscum × AST
VST = (Vliq + Vsl. + Vscum) + 0.2 × (Vliq + Vsl. + Vscum)
Where: Vliq is the volume needed for the liquid (m3);
Q is the flow rate (m3/d); HRT is the hydraulic retention
time (d); Vsl is the volume needed for the sludge (m3);
CTSS is the concentration of TSS (kg/m3); RTSS is the
percentage removal of the TSS; Csl. is the concentration of
the sludge (kg/m3); Vscum is the volume needed for the
scum (m3); Hscum is the height of the scum layer (m); AST
is the surface area of the septic tank (m2); VST is the
volume of the septic tank (m3); OLR is the organic
loading rate [15].
Intermittent sand filter
Area (A) = Flow (Q) / Organic Application rate
Q × BOD5
A=
0.024kgBOD5 / m 2 .d
Table (1) shows the design criteria of the sand filter.
Filter Media
Sieve analysis of the filter media was done to find the
effective size and uniformity coefficient. The sieve
analysis was done According to ASTM procedures C136,
2006 and C117 2004.
2.3 Layout and Effluent Distribution System
The sand filter was laid out based on the area, length
and width of the sand filter. Number of lateral pipes was
decided taking into consideration the spacing
requirements based on design criteria in Table (1).
Spacing between orifices was designed based on design
criteria in Table (1).
Flow /dose = Daily Flow/ Dosing Frequency
Flow /Lateral /Dose = (Flow /Dose) / Number of Laterals
Number of Orifices = (Flow/Lateral/Dose) / Flow in
Orifices
Flow in Orifice = 2.45 C (D2) (2ghn) 1/2 (Metcalf, 1991)
Where 2.45 is a conversion factor, C is an orifice
discharge coefficient, D is diameter of orifice (m), g is
gravitation acceleration (m/s2), and hn is the head loss in
orifice (m).
2.4 Head Loss in Laterals
Hlfp = 10.5 L (Q/C) 1.85 D –4.87 (Metcalf, 1991)
Where Hlfp is the head loss in pipe through orifice (m), Q
 Onsite Greywater Treatment Using Septic Tank Followed by Intermittent Sand Filter-

is the pipe discharge (m3/s), C is Hazen Williams and 797 mg/L respectively. These concentrations are very
discharge coefficient (150 for plastic pipes) and D is the high, and attributed to the low consumptive use of water
diameter of the pipe (m). in the household (<40L/ca.day) as well as to hygienic
behaviours of household inhabitants, types of detergent
2.5 Efficiency & Performance of the Treatment System used by households (locally manufactured), amount of
Efficiency of treatment system was measured by detergent used, food style and meals patterns.
analyzing greywater samples from three locations: Average BOD5/COD ratio was 0.48 and BOD5 Filtered
1. Collection tank: Gives the quality of untreated /BOD5 ratio was about 0.3 which means that most of the
greywater, suspended solid in the greywater was organic. Thus, pre-
2. Outlet of septic tank: Gives the quality of treatment using septic tank is necessary and will
greywater treated in septic tank considerably enhance the quality of the greywater.
3. Outlet of Sand Filter: Gives the quality of In addition, high pathogenic counts at 2.85× 104
greywater treated in the sand filter. MPN/100 ml were found for greywater samples. Faecal
19 samples from the each of the above mentioned three input from hand washing after defecation and babies
sampling points were collected over 14 months from washing in hand washing basin were the key factors for
March 2006 to May 2007. The samples were analyzed for this high numbers of E.coli. Table (2) shows greywater
the physical, chemical and microbiological parameters quality parameters of the household in which septic tank
mentioned earlier according to the Standard Methods for and sand filter treatment unit was constructed.
the Examination of Water and Wastewater [14].
3.2 Size of Septic Tank and Sand Filter
Table 1 Design criteria of sand filter 1 m3 septic tank with retention time of 5 days was
designed and constructed. A sand filter with overall
Treatment Parameters Value/criteria Ref. surface area of 6 m2 (2x3) and 1m depth was designed and
components constructed. The filter media consisted of 3 layers; top
Intermittent BOD loading rate 24 g/m2.d [16]
sand filter Hydraulic loading 44 L/m2.d.
layer of 10 cm of (11 mm) gravel, intermediate layer of
rate 10 cm of (5mm) fine gravel and filtering sand of 60 cm of
BOD removal 90% effective size of (0.32 mm). The sand layer was under laid
efficiency by 10 cm fine gravel and another 10 cm of under drain.
COD removal 80% Greywater was distributed over the sand filter using 5
efficiency
Dosing rate 12 times/day laterals each of 12 orifices. Fig. 1 shows schematic
Media Filter medium Washed durable [12]
diagram of the septic tank and sand filter units.
Specifications Material granular material
Effective size 0.25-0.75 mm Table .2 Greywater Quality Parameters of greywater
Uniformity <0.4 effluent from household subject of the study
coefficient
Depth 450-900 mm
Application Rate 80-200 L/m2/day Hand
Pipe size 25- 50 mm Washing washing weighted
weighted
Distribution Orifice size 3-6 mm [12] machine basin & Kitchen average
Parameter average
& Bath Moping sink (3) (1), (2) &
system Head on orifice 1-2 m Tub (1) basin
(1) & (2)
(3)
Lateral spacing 0.3- 1.2 m (2)
Orifice spacing 0.3- 1.2 m
Dosing Frequency 12- 48 times/day [12] PH 7.30 8.30 5.60 7.41 8.29
EC 1286 2812 1357 1456 1756
Volume/orifice 0.6- 1 TSS 810 698 410 798 797
L/orifice/dose TDS 793 1271 918
TSS 1603 1969 1328 1517
3. Results and discussion TS (g/d.ca) 14.3 2.2 8.8 25.29
BOD5 657 650 1092 656 1030
BOD5Filtered 298 168 551 284 391
3.1Greywater Characteristics
COD 1466 1906 2039 1515 2138
Greywater generation in the targeted household
BOD/COD 0.45 0.34 0.53 0.43 0.48
fluctuates from day to day according to the indoor NO3 2.20 2.10 2.70 2.19 2.97
activities. Hence, it varied from 52L/day to 345L/day, NH3 76 152 82 84 103
with average flow of 150L/day; Average of 60L/day was MBAS 53.0 43.0 36.0 51.9 56.4
generated in the kitchen basin, 80L/day was from washing E.coli 2.30E+04 4.70E+04 1.90E+04 2.57E+04 2.85E+04
machine and bath tub and 10L/day was from hand
washing basin.
The average values of BOD5, COD and TSS of the
total generated greywater were 1149 mg/L, 1952 mg/L,

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 Onsite Greywater Treatment Using Septic Tank Followed by Intermittent Sand Filter-

MBAS and E.coli were 95%, 93%, 95%, 95%, 53%, 98%,
5% and 90% respectively with concentration of 59mg/L,
161mg/L, 31 mg/L, 8mg/L, 12 mg/L, 1mg/L, 50 mg/L
and 227MPN/100 ml in the same order.
The septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter
has achieved a level of treatment that exceeded the
requirement of Jordanian standards JS (893/2006) for the
reclaimed wastewater reuse for fodder, industrial crops
and vegetable eaten cooked.
The septic tank-sand filter overall removal
efficiencies of BOD5, COD, TSS, FOG, NO3, NH4,
a. Top view MBAS and E.coli were 95%, 93%, 95%, 95%, 53%, 98%,
5% and 90% respectively with concentration of 59mg/L,
161mg/L, 31 mg/L, 8mg/L, 12 mg/L, 1mg/L, 50 mg/L
Fig 1 (a&b). Schematic diagram of septic tank and sand filter
treatment unit and 227MPN/100 ml in the same order.
The septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter
has achieved a level of treatment that exceeded the
requirement of Jordanian standards JS (893/2006) for the
reclaimed wastewater reuse for fodder, industrial crops
and vegetable eaten cooked.

Table.3 Performance of Septic tank/sand filter

treatment unit
Parameter A B C D E F
BOD5 mg/l 1182 438 59 63 87 95
COD mg/l 2248 951 161 58 83 93
b. Sectional view TSS mg/l 609 206 31 66 85 95
FOG mg/l 159 17 8 89 53 95
3.3Performance of Septic Tank and Sand Filter MBAS mg/l 27 39 12 ** 68 53
The performance data of BOD5, COD, TSS, Fat-Oil- NO3-N mg/l 47 2 1 95 58 98
Grease (FOG), NO3, NH4, T-P and E.coli for both septic NH3-N mg/l 53 100 50 ** 50 5
E.coli 5.86
tank and sand filter are shown in Table (3). MPN/100ml 2172 E+05 227
** 90 90
The septic tank allowed solids to separate from
A: Raw greywater
liquid, while encouraged oils and fats to float at the
B: Effluent from septic tank
surface of liquid. The accumulated solids have undergone
C: Effluent from sand filter
into biological degradation that resulted in reducing the
D: Efficiency of septic tank %
BOD5, COD and TSS by 63%, 58% and 66% E: Efficiency of sand filter %
respectively. FOG was reduced 89% by floating on the F: Overall efficiency %
surface of water in septic tank. The anaerobic condition in
the septic tank has resulted in de-nitrification of 95%
Greywater is generated by the use of soap products
NO3-N into (NH4-N); as a result, higher concentrations of
and detergent, and it contains organic materials,
NH4-N were measured at the outlet of the septic tank than suspended solids and pathogens. Organic content of the
in raw greywater. Storage of greywater and presence of raw generated greywater from the household is higher
organic materials in the septic tank has resulted in the
than raw greywater quality mentioned in literature. The
reproduction of E.coli in the septic tank by 2.4 logs.
type of local manufactured detergent used by households,
The partially clarified greywater in septic tank was
amount of detergent used, food style and meals patterns as
vertically distributed into the sand filter on intermittent
well as the low consumptive of water are the key factors
bases. 87% of the BOD5, 83% of the COD and 85% of that lead to the high organic loadings which all reflected
TSS were removed by both physical and biological on the performance of the treatment system used [17]
processes within the filter media. 50% of NH4 entering
Clogging of sand is still a problem in the sand
the sand filter was removed by being assimilated into cell
filtration processes. A risk of clogging was expected and
tissues of the biomass in the top layer of the sand filters.
happened once after one year of operation. The clogging
68% of synthetic detergents (MBAS) were removed by
depth of the sand layer was about 50 cm whereas the sand
biodegradation. 3.4 log reduction in E.coli was estimated
layer depth is 60 cm. Therefore, depth of sand layer of
in the sand filter which was accomplished by physical
less than 60 cm will lead to more frequent clogging
filtration in the sand bed.
events.
The septic tank-sand filter overall removal
efficiencies of BOD5, COD, TSS, FOG, NO3, NH4,

70
 Onsite Greywater Treatment Using Septic Tank Followed by Intermittent Sand Filter-
The high concentration of TSS in greywater entering
the sand filter is the main factor of clogging. Colonization
and growth of bacteria within the sand grains enhances
the removal of SS but at the same time it may increase the
risk of sand’s pores clogging.
4. Conclusion
1. The low consumption rate of water in the
household has resulted in high pollution loads of
the generated greywater, and this pollution
requires the greywater to be treated before use to
conserve environment and to protect health.
2. The composition and characteristics of greywater
significantly vary and very dependant on the
practices of household's inhabitants.
3. Septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter
was found very effective treatment system for
the highly polluted greywater with overall
efficiency of more than 90%.
4. The quality of the treated greywater is in
compliance with Jordanian standards for the
reclaimed wastewater reuse in restricted
irrigation.
5. Failure of sand filter due to clogging is the main
concern in the long term operation of the
treatment system.
Acknowledgment
Authors would like to express their deep thanks for the
International Development Research Centre IDRC/
Canada, Ottawa for their financial support for the project
"Integrated wastewater management policies and
technologies of the marginal communities in Jordan",
under which this research has been done by
Environmental Research Centre of Royal Scientific
Society.
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