Professional Documents
Culture Documents
W A S T E W A T E R - W A S T E
STANDARD
ATV A 200E
May 1997
ISBN 3-934984-32 0
Marketing:
Gesellschaft zur Förderung der
Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA)
Theodor-Heuß-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef
Postfach 11 65 . 53758 Hennef
ATV A 200E
This ATV Standard has been produced by ATV Working Groups 1.2.7 "Wastewater
Discharge in the Rural Area" and 2.10.2 "Wastewater Treatment in the Rural Area".
Members are:
Working Group 1.2.7
Dipl.-Ing. Riedl, München (Chairman)
Dipl.-Ing. Coppik, Mainz
Dipl.-Ing. Kobrow, Düsseldorf
Dipl.-Ing. Martinko, Stadtlohn
Dipl.-Ing. Otto, Aachen
Dipl.-Ing. Reinhardt, Sondershausen
Dipl.-Ing. Scharenberg, Hövels-Wingertshardt
Dipl.-Ing. Spellier, Salzgitter
Dipl.-Ing. Welter, Aachen
Dipl.-Ing. Dipl.-oec. Prenger, Paderborn (Guest)
Working Group 2.10.2
Dipl.-Ing. Bucksteeg, München (Chairman)
Dipl.-Ing. Grosche, Radebeul
Dipl.-Ing. Kollatsch, Halle
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lützner, Dresden
Dipl.-Ing. Maus, Arnsberg
Dipl.-Ing. Tiedtke, Minden
Dipl.-Ing. Schröder, Aachen
Dipl.-Ing. Schweizer, Rottweil
Dipl.-Ing. Voß, Kiel
Dr.-Ing. Zerres, Stuttgart
Dipl.-Ing. Linder, Stuttgart (Guest)
The Standard presented here has been prepared within the framework of the ATV
committee work, taking into account the ATV Standard A 400 "Principles for the
Preparation of Rules and Standards" in the Rules and Standards Wastewater/Waste,
in the January 1994 version. With regard to the application of the Rules and Standards,
Para. 1 of Point 5 of A 400 includes the following statement: "The Rules and Standards
are freely available to everyone. An obligation to apply them can result for reasons of
legal regulations, contracts or other legal grounds. Whosoever applies them is
responsible for the correct application in specific cases. Through the application of the
Rules and Standards no one avoids responsibility for his own actions. However, for the
user, prima facie evidence shows that he has taken the necessary care".
The Rules and Standards are not the sole but rather an important source of knowledge
for technically correct solutions for the tasks of wastewater and waste engineering in
normal cases. For these the ATV Standards form a yardstick for correct technical
conduct. They cannot, however, deal with all possible special cases, in which extensive
or limited measures are offered. In special cases it is possible to deviate from the
definitions of the Rules and Standards, if the same effectiveness with the same security
can be achieved in a different fashion.
All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Standard may be
reproduced in any form by photocopy, microfilm or any other process or transferred or translated into a language
usable in machines, in particular data processing machines, without the written approval of the publisher.
Contents
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ATV A 200E
1. Area of Application 4
3. Wastewater discharge 7
3.1 Types of wastewater 8
3.1.1 Domestic and industrial wastewater 8
3.1.2 Precipitation water 8
3.1.3 Sewer infiltration water 8
3.2 Planning principles 8
3.3 Drainage systems 9
3.3.1 Modified separate system 9
3.3.2 Modified combined system 9
3.4 Discharge of domestic and industrial wastewater 9
3.4.1 Gravity drainage 10
3.4.2 Pressure drainage 10
3.4.3 Vacuum drainage 11
3.5 Disposal of precipitation water 11
3.5.1 Precipitation water not requiring treatment 11
3.5.2 Precipitation water requiring treatment 13
3.6 Potential for savings 15
4. Wastewater treatment 15
4.1 Selection of the sewage treatment plant 15
4.1.1 Small sewage treatment plants or local sewage treatment plant? 15
4.1.2 Local sewage treatment plants or group sewage treatment plant? 17
4.2 Requirements under Water Law 17
4.3 Special features of small sewage treatment plants and planning principles 18
4.4 Choice of treatment process 18
4.4.1 Wastewater lagoons 19
4.4.2 Technical sewage treatment plants 20
4.4.3 Plants with vegetation beds 23
4.5 Potential for savings 23
4.5.1 General 23
4.5.2 Potential for savings with limited interim solutions 24
3.5.3 Potential for savings with permanent solutions 25
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ATV A 200E
Direction and Objective
This Standard indicates possibilities for the economic realisation of an ordered disposal
of wastewater in rurally structured regions. However, with all the currently discussed
measures for cost reduction, the actual aims, protection of lakes and rivers and safety of
local hygiene may not be placed in jeopardy.
Wastewater treatment plants in rurally structured areas should not be planned, built and
operated in accordance with the same principles and requirements as for urban areas,
as otherwise the specific costs (DM/inhabitant) would be disproportionately high.
The aim of the ATV Standard is not to so reduce standards that, through this, plant
operators are in danger of not being able to maintain legal requirements and thus have to
face the consequences of criminal and taxation law.
Equally the Standard cannot interfere with the following important cost, contribution and
charge relevant factors:
- legal regulations;
- promotion practice of the Federal States;
- formulation of the communal contribution and charge regulations.
Task of this Standard is, in accordance with the given details in ATV Standard A 400
"Principles for the Revision of Rules and Standards" [11] to provide recommendations for
the cost favourable solution of planning, construction and operating problems. It should
show how the dimensioning bandwidths and planning latitude can be used in the rurally
structured regions and, through this , how savings can be made., In particular the
statements in the Standard, do not replace the necessary creative service of the
engineer with conceptual planning and the constructive implementation in accordance
with the requirements of the individual case.
1. Area of Application
The following listed criteria can serve as orientation for the term "rurally structured" within
the sense of this Standard:
- large property areas due to more widely spaced, open building, individual
farmsteads, hamlets, scattered settlements;
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ATV A 200E
- small proportion of hard surfaces, up to some 20 % of the settlement area including
roads and paths;
- few available technical drainage systems, frequently small sewage treatment plants;
sewers often only as stormwater sewers to nearest lake or river, however, frequently
with discharges from small sewage treatment plants;
- frequently small and low performance surface waters, often preloaded by diffuse
inputs;
The immediate surroundings of towns also counts as rurally structured area, insofar as
the above-given criteria apply.
Drainage and wastewater treatment systems form one unit and are always to be so
considered also with regard to the lakes and rivers into which discharges are to take
place.
All characteristics of the disposal area are to be surveyed and investigated separately for
stability and prognosis. They must also be included in the general development planning
of a community and particularly in the construction management planning.
The sewerage system catchment area and the capacity of the sewage treatment plant
are to be determined according to the actual built-up area and existing population as well
as existing population equivalents from commerce. Development forecasts and blanket
statements with high safety reserves are to be examined critically. With the determination
of basic data one should, as far as possible, refer to existing data material (e.g. water
consumption). Falling back on general recommendations must, as far as possible, be
limited in order to be able to achieve the planning aims (no over-dimensioning, no
unnecessary safety factors, cost optimisation).
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ATV A 200E
- definition of the measures, necessary from the point of view of water pollution control,
taking into account the legal data given;
- preparation of possible alternatives and variants with the same depth of planning, in
order to find cost favourable solutions;
- preparation of short and mid-term transitional solutions according to priority and with
cost details for the step-by-step approach to the planning aim. With this, immediate
basic treatment at as many locations as possible is more important than extensive
treatment at a few places.
The measures should be arranged in the WAP approximately according to the following
timings:
The following are to be taken into account with regard to water management interests:
- local discharge into surface waters should be sought rather than long discharge
sewers;
z insofar as particular water management reasons for water pollution control do not
stand in the way;
z if the interests of priority use (e.g. drinking water) do not stand in the way;
- discharges into the sub-soil (e.g. chalk formation) always require separate
consideration in individual cases due to the particular protection requirement of the
groundwater.
Due to the vast extent of the drainage area in rurally structured regions the cost
emphasis lies in the area of sewerage system/precipitation water treatment so that the
greatest savings potential is to be expected here. Planning objective is a solution
optimised with regard to investment and follow-on costs. Solutions which solely transfer
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ATV A 200E
costs from public drainage systems to private drainage facilities do not correspond with
the principle of cost minimisation.
Economic disposal solutions can only be achieved if the elaboration is based on well-
founded conceptional planning and this planning is carried out independently, i.e. free
from delivery and production interests. The greatest savings potential is in the planning
stage (see Fig. 1).
Fehler! Keine gültige Verknüpfung.
Possible saving
of project costs
(DM)
General Project Implementation
planning
development
and
concept
planning
With planning, technical regulations are to be examined and interpreted taking into
account the special features of rurally structured regions. With regard to savings potential
the flexibility in standard specifications and rules and standards are to be applied
consistently. Those responsible for measures, planners of wastewater systems and
responsible authorities must discuss these possibilities and the resultant consequences
together.
The tendering for construction projects is to be directed towards the possible capacity of
the commercial economy, a favourable time for tendering and as wide a possible
competition. Consideration is to be give, already within the scope of planning, as to how
far cost saving organisational structures/mergers can be created for operational tasks
which have to implemented together.
The use of all savings potential presupposes the tasking of an experienced, qualified
planner.
3. Wastewater Discharge
Discharge covers the collection and the transport of water. With this, measures for the
avoidance and reduction of percolation are dealt with in particular.
With the economic considerations to be carried out for connection of a rurally structured
region to a wastewater system, the various possibilities for collection and transport are to
be investigated and compared with the respective possibilities for wastewater treatment.
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ATV A 200E
liquid manures and silo seepage liquor, may not be fed into the communal wastewater
sewer.
Domestic wastewater originates from households and small businesses which serve to
supply the region. Wastewater from restaurants, hotels, barracks is counted with
domestic wastewater
Commercial wastewater (e.g. from food businesses, agriculture (see ATV Advisory
Leaflet M 702) [12] is to be taken into account according to quantity and kind.
The planning concepts must orient themselves to the requirements of the rural area. With
this the following principles are to be assumed:
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ATV A 200E
- priority is to be given to the collection and discharge of wastewater;
- no water is to be fed to a sewage treatment plant whose degree of pollution is lower
than that required for the effluent of the sewage treatment plant;
- precipitation water is to be percolated immediately where it arises, wherever the
subsoil conditions and the degree of pollution of the precipitation water allow;
- if a discharge of precipitation water, which does not require treatment, is necessary it
should take place, as far as possible, via trenches, flumes or depressions;
- sewer infiltration water is to be avoided.
3.3 Drainage Systems
In general one differentiates between combined and separate systems. With the
combined system the wastewater is collected and discharged in a sewer together with
the precipitation water.
With the separate system wastewater and precipitation water are collected and
discharged separately. In addition to the combined and separate systems there are the
following drainage systems, in particular for the separation of qualitatively differing partial
flows:
Further information can be found in the respective drainage regulations and in ATV
Standards A 102 [4] and A 115 [6].
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ATV A 200E
3.4.1 Gravity Drainage
With a gravity drainage system the depth of the sewer is of considerable economic
significance. The depth is influenced by the topography, the existing supply pipelines
and, possibly, necessary crossover structures (e.g. crossings of lakes and rivers).
However, the connection of cellar gravity drainage systems is not a compelling necessity.
The security against backflow in deep lying cellars is ensured in accordance with the
provisions of DIN 1986.
Further information can be taken from ATV Standards A 110 [5] and A 116 [7] as well as
the Working Report of the ATV Working Group 1.1.2 (1.1.6) (KA 1/87) [13]. In addition,
the dimensioning principles for pressure pipelines apply.
This technique allows the economic connection of large areas with low population density
and the connection of individual houses, farms or small groups of houses with pipe
diameters even smaller than DN 50.
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ATV A 200E
With pressure pipelines smaller than DN 80 pumps with cutter devices (not to be
confused with the banned kitchen waste comminutor) must be employed, whereby, if
required, their effect on the sewage treatment plant is to be taken into account. The
combination of several houses with one pumping station is possible.
Further information can be taken from ATV Standard A 116 [7], prEN 1091 [1] and prEN
1671 [2].
Further information can be taken from ATV Standard A 116 [7] and prEN 1091 [1].
The boundary between precipitation water requiring and not requiring treatment is based
on the principle of feeding no water to a sewage treatment plant whose degree of
pollution is less than is required in the effluent of the sewage treatment plant. As a rule
not requiring treatment are runoffs from roof and courtyard surfaces as well as residential
roads and pathways. Further information can be taken from the Working Report of ATV
WG 1.4.3 (KA 2/94 [14] and KA 8/96 [17]) and the ATV WG 1.4.1 (KA/ 5/95) [16].
Retention
Retention systems can be necessary before discharge into a lake, river or percolation
system, if a discharge acceleration compared with the natural surface run-off over the
ground and/or an overloading of the peculation system or lake or river is to be avoided
with larger, connected hard surface areas.
- terrain depressions;
- chambers, pipes, ditches;
- lagoons, garden ponds;
- cisterns.
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ATV A 200E
Percolation
Priority is to seek percolation via a sufficiently covered, active layer of soil is in order to
exploit its good cleaning capacity.
Surface percolation
Percolation on permeable hard surfaces or on flat side areas of impermeable surfaces.
Percolation basins
Open earth basin covered at least with thin grass with large percolation surface and high
storage volume.
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ATV A 200E
Shaft percolation
Intermediate storage of precipitation water in a shaft /chamber with permeable walls and
delayed percolation into the subsoil.
Discharge
If the subsoil conditions do not allow a decentralised or centralised percolation and there
is a lake or river in the vicinity, the precipitation water should be fed to the lake or river,
where possible via an open ditch, whereby possibilities of retention should be used, e.g.
via the depression - ditch system.
With small lakes and rivers attention is to be paid to the material and hydraulic effects of
an introduction of precipitation water. Information on this can be taken from the report of
the ATV WG 1.4.3 (KA 8/96) [17] and ATV WG 2.1.1 (KA 5/93) [18].
3.5.2 Precipitation Water Requiring Treatment
Insofar as precipitation water requiring treatment cannot be avoided it is, as a rule, to be
discharged and treated via a pipeline system.
The combined system always requires treatment of the stormwater.
Stormwater overflow discharges are necessary upstream of the sewage treatment plant
depending on the type of sewage treatment plant and on local conditions.
Dimensioning and design of stormwater treatment systems are in accordance with ATV
Standard A 128 [9] and/or the Directives of the Federal States.
Stormwater overflow discharges, stormwater tanks with overflow, stormwater
sedimentation tanks and percolation systems via the active soil can be considered for
employment as stormwater discharge or treatment plants.
Combined wastewater overflow discharges could possibly be dispensed with if
wastewater ponds are employed and suitably designed for wastewater treatment (see
Sect. 4.2.1).
For rural areas the following is to be observed with the employment of a combined
system;
- with small catchment areas and the thus small wastewater run-offs, throttling and
discharge of the combined wastewater discharge to the sewage treatment plant can
be problematic;
- stormwater overflow systems in the form of enclosed tanks are to be avoided for
reasons of cost;
- stormwater overflow systems should, as far as possible, be equipped with adjustable
throttle devices in order, on one hand, to reduce the danger of blockages with small
throttle discharges and, on the other hand, to use the storage volume optimally;
- with the employment of a mechanical sewage treatment plant with a capacity below
ca. 500 IPE the parallel treatment of stormwater in the sewage treatment plant is
barely possible as these sewage treatment plants have only a small buffer for the
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ATV A 200E
large pollutant loads and water quantities which run off in rainy weather (see also
Sect. 4.4.2).
Due to these problems decisions on a combined system in rural areas are to be
examined critically.
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ATV A 200E
Table 1: Potential for savings with the discharge of wastewater
Measures: Remarks:
- Indication of new construction areas - If required, indicate and take into
primarily where a cost favourable disposal is consideration effects on an existing drainage
possible system
- Critical limitation of the area where disposal - Removal of remote individual properties;
is to be under public arrangements release from connection and usage
obligation
- Sewerage system only for collection and - Decentralised percolation of precipitation
discharge of wastewater water at place of occurrence or discharge
into surface water
- Combined drainage systems within a - e.g. pressure or gravity drainage
disposal area for collection and transport
- Reduction of stormwater runoff - Unsealing of hard surfaces; disconnection of
all surface areas which can be drained by
percolation or direct discharge into a lake or
river
- Reduce precipitation water requiring - Proved measures for the avoidance or
treatment treatment at location of occurrence
- Retention of precipitation water - Use natural retention volumes, if necessary
also create artificial facilities
- Separate surface water from external areas
of the sewerage system
- Consequent reduction of the amount of
sewer infiltration water
- Discharge of precipitation water not requiring
treatment via open ditches
- Laying of sewers in soft surface verges of - Particularly useful for transport sewers; take
public paths into account existing supply pipelines
- Reduction of the pipeline length of collection - Record easements; assure access; avoid
and transport sewers by line selection, also overbuilding
through private property (gardens, meadows
and arable land)
- Reduction of laying depth of collector sewer - As a rule lifting systems necessary
- Use of existing drainage systems - Examine and assess carrying capability and
structural condition with regard to future use
- Undercutting of previously demanded - Examine in individual cases
minimum pipe nominal widths
- Structural reduction of monitoring and pump - Pay attention to the efficiency of inspection
shafts/chambers to the operationally and cleaning equipment
necessary level
- Common pipeline trenches for supply and - Ensure timely agreement
disposal pipelines
- As far as possible backfilling of the open cut - Allow settlement in open ground
with in-situ soil
- Employment of new laying techniques - Examine the economy and applicability of
alternative construction methods and closed
construction in accordance with ATV
Standard A 125, drain ploughs, trench
cutting machines or small excavators with
trench bucket
- Agreement of road construction measures
with sewer construction measures
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ATV A 200E
3.6 Potential for Savings
For wastewater discharge it can be established that the potential for savings in the
conceptual field is greater that that for the constructional design and method of
construction. The preparation and assessment of alternatives with different drainage
solutions (local sewage treatment plant or group sewage treatment plant) and drainage
systems (comp. Sect. 3.3 with 3.5) are essential prerequisites for this.
The measures listed in Table 1 should be examined for applicability both for the
construction of new plants and for rehabilitation projects, whereby, along with investment
costs also the operational costs, as well as the life of the systems must be taken into
account.
4. Wastewater Treatment
The capacity of sewage treatment plants in rural areas lies, as a rule, below 5000 IPE
(so-called small sewage treatment plants) and thus within the area of application for Size
Classes 1 and 2 of Appx. 1 of the Basic Wastewater Administration. Ordnance (Rahmen-
AbwasserVwV) in accordance with §7A of the Water Management Law (WHG). For small
sewage treatment plants in accordance with DIN 4261 - these are plants for a capacity
up to 8 m3/d wastewater inflow - there are no generally valid minimum requirements laid
down.
This section goes into detail for the „small sewage treatment plant“. The statements
made can, to a limited extent, be carried over to plants with larger design capacities.
The valid Standard Specifications and Directives for sewage treatment plants considered
are summarised in Table 2.
Small sewage treatment plants can be erected if a proper wastewater disposal by means
of public sewerage systems incur disproportionately high costs and the proper disposal
within and outside the property as well as the faecal sludge disposal are assured. Small
sewage treatment plants only come into consideration - independent of the treatment
process employed - for scattered buildings, local adjustments, gaps in buildings or similar
or as rehabilitation element for interim solutions.
Each community has, within the scope of its planning jurisdiction and in agreement with
the water authorities, the freedom of choice as to whether it pursues keeping scattered
buildings and the smallest localities as such or whether it defines residential or
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ATV A 200E
commercial areas. If it wishes to have the latter ,there results the necessity for a correct
disposal in the form of a central local connection.
With the search for the correct wastewater engineering solution one must assume
various assessment criteria. The sequence below at the same time reflects the order of
precedence with decision making.
Economy
If a lake or river with acceptance capability, a nearby site for a sewage treatment plant
and a location for the group solution are available, alternatives for local and group
sewage treatment plants are to be investigated. In addition to the cost comparison
calculations in accordance with Federal States Working Team, Water (LAWA) Guide
lines [15] the non-financial assessable factors are to be evaluated in accordance with
Sect. 5.
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ATV A 200E
Advanced requirements can, however, come into consideration if they are, from a water
management aspect, necessary in order to achieve or maintain the planned quality in the
lake or river and if, at the same time, it is also expected that the desired target can be
actually achieved by reduction of the diffuse loads.
Thus the sewage treatment plant size of 5000 IPE also marks a limitation from the
dimensioning and technical process aspect which is reflected in ATV Standards of the
ATV series of Rules and Standards (see Table 2).
The requirements under Water Law for the discharge of treated wastewater must be
agreed between and laid down well in time by those responsible for the measures,
planners and responsible authority.
- the wastewater flow with small catchment areas has larger specific pollutant load
surges and higher hydraulic peaks than with larger drainage networks;
- small machines and technical processing installations are basically more liable to
faults than large units;
- the provision of qualified operating personnel for small sewage treatment plants in
practice often meets with the greatest difficulties: even automation cannot offer any
equivalent alternative.
The following planning principles derive from the special features of small sewage
treatment plants:
- small sewage treatment plants may not be designed as smaller copies of large
plants;
- buffering and balancing of the wastewater inflow are more important than highly
technical treatment stages;
- operational safety and easy serviceability have priority over exaggerated volume and
energy savings;
ATV Standards, Advisory Leaflets and Guides for small sewage treatment plants (see
Table 2) already take account of the above planning principles.
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ATV A 200E
4.4 Selection of Treatment Process
Technical sewage treatment plants and wastewater lagoons as well as combinations of
these two processes are available. In addition new developments are always coming into
discussion. The following come into question as treatment process:
- oxidisation ponds;
- aerated lagoons;
Table 3 contains a summary and assessment of the wastewater treatment processes for
connection sizes up to 5000 IPE. With this a preselection of the treatment process/type
of sewage treatment plant can be made. The most purposeful and economic solution can
then be made from investigations of alternative solutions. With this the main aspects are:
- easy servicing and accessibility in order to be able to carry out the necessary
operations and the laid down self-monitoring measurements;
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ATV A 200E
- sludge clearance only necessary in one or two year intervals.
Wastewater lagoons have a relatively high surface area requirement. Odour emissions
from the first pond of an oxidation pond series are possible. The development of algae
and thus algae drifting can also be disruptive. With permeable subsoil a possible
expensive sealing of the bottom could be come necessary.
Large volume oxidation ponds have the largest buffer capacity against pollution and
hydraulic surges. In particular, with existing or unavoidable new combined sewerage
systems of smaller rural areas, it represents the only viable solution for wastewater
treatment. Due to the large surface area requirement its main employment area is with
connection values below 1000 IPE.
Aerated lagoons are advantageous, due to their smaller specific surface area
requirement, with connection values of more than some 1000 IPE and, above all, with
the connection of seasonal operations, in particular such as those in the food industry.
Combination of lagoons with biological contactors or biological filters can be
shown to be a practical solution for connection sizes below some 3000 I, in particular
with the expansion of existing plants of one or another process and/or for planned staged
expansion.,
4.4.2 Technical Sewage Treatment Plants
Technical sewage treatment plants are available for residential areas, in particular if
separate drainage exists, i.e. stormwater is not jointly treated. However, it must be
ensured that only little sewer infiltration water ensues. The joint treatment of stormwater
in accordance with the principles of ATV Standard A 128 [9] leads, with localities with
connection values of less than 500 IPE, to constructional difficulties and operational
problems due to the necessary throttling down to small inflows, appropriate stormwater
tank emptying times (see also Sect. 3.5.2) as well as the design of the secondary
sedimentation installations. Sludge storage space is necessary for technical sewage
treatment plants with independent sludge disposal.
Activated sludge plants with joint sludge stabilisation are, as a rule, cheaper in
construction and more expensive in operation, at least for energy costs, than biological
contactor and biological filter plants. Due to the longer retention times of the wastewater
in the aeration tanks a larger buffer capacity is ensured. Furthermore, with flat large
aeration tanks, already considerable space for the acceptance of stormwater inflow is
available through small impoundage.
Biological filter plants regenerate themselves after a short period without any
operational intervention should there happen to be damage to the fixed biological film.
Problems with the sludge stirred up in the secondary sedimentation stage seldom occur.
However, the treatment method of the digestible sludge arising in the primary
sedimentation stage must be well thought out in biological filter plants.
Biological contactor plants are assessed as being similar to biological filter plants if
and when the mechanical installations are delivered in a robust design. Biological
contactors are, in any case, to be protected against the effects of weather by an
overhead construction.
Prefabricated compact plants/container sewage treatment plants, according to the
above described methods are, as a rule, cheaper to produce. However, they are more
May 1997 20
ATV A 200E
inflexible in their design for individual requirements and in method of operation. In many
cases they are for wastewater inflow only, i.e. not conceived for the joint treatment of
stormwater.
System sewage treatment plants, varied by component, can be equivalent to
dispersed construction..
New developments with special combination of methods and process variants,
e.g. SBR process, fixed bed technology and special constructions are to be
assessed separately case by case with regard to operational safety, scope of servicing,
treatment performance and sludge treatment in comparison with the normal, proven
operational processes. There are already ATV Working Groups formed for the processes
given above as examples. Suitable solutions for the joint treatment of stormwater and for
sludge treatment are often lacking. ATV Guide H 254 gives important information on the
assessment of such plants.
May 1997 21
ATV A 200E
included in the planning must take place taking into account other reserves, e.g. in the
area of data assessment and dimensioning. An addition of growth rates and other
reserves and/or safety factors to give an inflated total reserve is to be avoided.
Insofar as a group sewage treatment plant is to be sought in the long-term, necessary
interim local sewage treatment plants are to be so designed and constructed that, if
required, the solution which goes beyond the local area can be developed by stages
from these plants.
- existing earth or concrete tanks, for example, can be refunctioned later for
stormwater treatment/storage.
- mechanical equipment and other plant components can possibly be used further at
other locations.
- activated sludge plants with joint sludge stabilisation can be modified later with
digesters.
The solution which extends beyond the local area must therefore already be planned
early, at least for the main features, in order to take into account the location and the
later function can be taken into account in the planning of local sewage treatment plants.
Locations for sewage treatment plants are to be so selected that they are, as far as
possible, free from construction problems. Unfavourable site conditions, flooding
protection measures, noise and nature conservation conditions as well as measures for
the reduction of odour emissions have considerable influence on the construction and
operating costs.
- with technical sewage treatment plants and lagoons the dimensioning latitude given
by ATV Rules and Standards for the reduction of volume is to be fully utilised;
- the selection of material must, in the long rune, be matched to the interim solution
(e.g. for short term operating duration, railings and gratings in galvanised normal
steel and not in special steel);
- local plants should be so constructed that components can later continue to be used
on site (e.g. for stormwater tanks);
- the technical safety standard is, in agreement with the Municipal Accident Insurers
(GUV) and the professional association, to be limited to the absolutely necessary;
May 1997 22
ATV A 200E
- traffic areas are to be made as simple as possible (e.g. water bound cover);
- with wastewater lagoons one can dispense with an automatic screen and grit
chamber, with technical plants with a grit chamber clearance device;
- with the agricultural utilisation of sewage sludge one can dispense with a stationary
sludge dewatering plant. If a sludge dewatering is necessary, a mobile dewatering, or
better, a dewatering together in a larger neighbourhood sewage treatment plant fitted
with appropriate facilities is to be planned observing the reloading due to sludge
liquor;
- protection against flooding should be matched to the duration of the interim solution
taking into account the effects of flooding;
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ATV A 200E
- Sewage sludge is as far as possible to be utilised in agriculture, whereby direct
acceptance by the farmers is to be sought.
- Sludge lagoons, in which a good dewatering with even return loading of the sewage
treatment plant is achieved with the employment of a suitable conditioning agent, can
be practical with necessary intermediate storage of sewage sludge.
- Delivery of faecal sludge with small sewage treatment plants presumes the holding of
large reserves as well as extensive additional facilities and is therefore to be avoided.
- Plant components can be placed on the ground or erected on shallow foundations,
should local conditions allow.
- In addition to normal construction the employment of prefabricated containers can be
taken into consideration taking account of lifetime.
- Necessary superstructures should be combined and/or so planned, through
appropriate design of the plants, that only small areas have to be overbuilt.
- If seasonal businesses are connected, the sewage treatment plant should be so
designed that, outside the season, components or indeed complete lines can be
taken out of operation.
- Quality standards are to be reduced to the absolutely necessary (material, wall
thickness, equipment).
- Attention should be paid to standardisation (holding of spare parts) with the
organisational combination of several sewage treatment plants.
The procedure in accordance with the Federal States Working Team Water (LAWA) [15]
"Guideline for the Carrying Out of Cost Comparison Calculations" has proved itself for
cost comparison. The aim of this Guideline is the cost associated assessment of water
management measures within the framework of investment decisions. It provides a
statement on the cost associated advantage of an alternative with the comparison of
various possibilities. It does not correspond with a business management cost
comparison. Prognoses on rates and contributions must be put together from the
communal tax laws of the Federal (German) States.
May 1997 24
ATV A 200E
The application of this procedure, however, only makes possible a comparison of the
monetarily appraisable cost associated effects of alternatives with the same level of
planning without useful lives entering the comparison. Thus the application of this
method theoretically assumes the same useful life for the alternatives and , therefore,
can only verify the relative cost advantage capability of the alternatives.
Below are given notes and supplements from previous experiences on the individual
work steps.
Before starting planning, wastewater system planners, those responsible for the
measures, responsible authorities and, possibly, the affected citizens must agree on the
assessment of the non-monetarily calculable planning aspects. This is necessary as the
assessment of these factors is naturally also liable to subjective estimations.
With the implementation of cost comparison calculations contributions from third parties
are not taken into account. The depreciation of properties is not to take place.
The cost determination for alternative solutions must always be comprehensive, i.e.
include all costs which occur at all points of origin, even those on private property.
May 1997 25
ATV A 200E
Establishment of Settlement of Precise determination according to site 0
costs measures measurements and contractual agreements
The following types of cost are to be taken into account in the cost comparison
calculation:
Investment costs
The LAWA Guidelines [15] contain proposals for the determination of these parameters.
As these variables are decisive for the result of the comparison, they are also prescribed
specifically, in part, for a Federal State. The input values for the calculation variables, to
be determined beforehand by those involved, are to be traceably documented. Particular
attention must be given to the following points:
May 1997 26
ATV A 200E
- consideration of residual values;
- consideration of the construction time for the start of the flow of capital and the
repayment period;
- region specific deviations with the determination of the calculation variables;
- unified determination of interest rate and price changes (actual/nominal) for all
alternatives.
Basically the annual costs for wastewater disposal and thus the wastewater charges (see
Fig. 3) are made up from the cost groups
The expenses for depreciation are, along with the investment costs, essentially
determined by the depreciation period, i.e. higher investment costs for high value types
of design can, due to the longer depreciation period, be more favourable in annual costs
than lower investment costs with reduced standards. Investment and operating costs are
often equally opposed.
W astewater
charges Personnel costs
Interest
Other operating
costs
Expenses for
depreciation
May 1997 27
ATV A 200E
5.4 Overall Assessment
The overall assessment is a summary of all previous examinations and calculations as
well as those of the input parameters upon which the comparison is based. It serves as
the final work step which presents the solution which is to be implemented and the
decision steps, as well as the considerations, transparently. It must, in addition to the
results of the cost comparison, indicate the evaluation of the non-monetarily considered
aspects. A summary in the form of a decision matrix has proved successful.
May 1997 28
ATV A 200E
[14] KA 2/94 Umgang mit Regenwasser - derzeitiger Stand der
Regenwasserbehandlung im Trennsystem; Arbeitsbericht der ATV
Arbeitsgruppe 1.4.3
[Dealing with Stormwater - Current Status of Stormwater Treatment in
the Separate System; Report of ATV Working Group 1.4.3.
[15] LAWA Leitlinien zur Durchführung von Kostenvergleichsrechnungen
Ausarbeitung
Guidelines des LAWA Arbeits - kreises Nutzen-Kosten-Untersuchungen in der
Wasserwirtschaft 1993
[Guidelines for the Carrying out of Cost Comparison Calculations;
Elaboration of the LAWA Working Group Usage-Costs Investigations
in the
Water Industry 1993
[16] KA 5/95 Hinweise zur Versickerung von Niederschlagsabflüssen;
Arbeitsbericht der ATV-Arbeitsgruppe 1.4.1
[Notes on Percolation of Precipitation Runoffs;
Report of the ATV Working Group 1.4.1]
[17] KA 8/96 Handlungsempfelungen zum Umgang mit Regenwasser; 2.
Arbeitsbericht der ATV-Arbeitsgruppe 1.4.3
[Recommendations for the Handling of Stormwater; 2nd Report of the
ATV Working Group 1.4.3]
[18] KA 5/93 Weitergehende Anforderungen an Mischwasserentlastungen; 1.
Arbeitsbericht der ATV-Arbeitsgruppe 2.1.1
[Extensive Demands on Combined Wastewater Overflows; 1st Report
of the ATV Working Group 2.1.1]
[19] ATV-A105 Hinweise für die Wahl des Entwässerungssystems - 4/97
(Draft) [Information on the Selection of the Drainage System]
Further ATV Standards and Standard Specifications are listed in Table 2 "Summary of
the Valid Standard Specifications and Standards for Small Sewage Treatment Plants".
May 1997 29
Table 2: Summary of valid Standard Specifications and Standards for small sewage treatment plants as at April 1997
Range of 4 IPE to 50 IPE Range of 50 IPE to 500 IPE Range from 500 IPE to 5000 IPE
DIN 4261 Part 1 of February 1991 DIN 4261 Part 3 of September ATV Standard A 109 of January 1983
Small Sewage Treatment Plants 1990 Standards for the Connection of Motorway Services to Sewage Treatment
Plants
Plants without Wastewater Small Sewage Treatment
Aeration Plants
Application, Dimensioning and Plants without Wastewater
Design Aeration
Operation and Servicing
DIN drawing approval through DIN CERTCO ATV Standard A 129 of May 1979
Wastewater Disposal from Recreational and Tourist Facilities
DIN 4261 Part 2 of June 1984 DIN 426 1 Part 4 ATV Standard A 122 of June 1991 ATV Standard A 126 of December 1993
Small Sewage Treatment Plants Small Sewage Treatment Plants Standards for the Dimensioning, Construction and Principles for the Treatment of Wastewater in Sewage Treatment
Plants with Wastewater Aeration Plants with Wastewater Aeration Operation of Small Sewage Treatment Plants with Plants According to the Activated Sludge Process with Joint
Application, Dimensioning, Design Aerobic Biological Treatment Stage for Connection Sludge Stabilisation with Connection Values between 500 and
Values between 50 and 500 Inhabitants and Total 5,000 Total Number of Inhabitants and Population Equivalents
Population Equivalents
General engineering supervision approvals by the German Institute
for Civil Engineering
ATV Standard A 135 of March 1989
Principals for the Dimensioning of Biological Filters and
Biological
Contactors with Connection values over 500 Population
Equivalents
Table 3: Assessment of wastewater treatment processes for connection sizes up to approx. 5000 IPE
Process A B C D E F G
Plant beds Nonaerated Aerated wastewater Lagoon plant with Mechanical-biological Mechanical-biological Sewage treatment plant
Assessment criteria wastewater lagoon lagoon technical sewage treatment sewage treatment plant with additional or new
intermediate stage plant (compact construction) technology
(biological (open construction) (compact construction)
filter/contactor)
1 Treatment Known in part; Well known Well known Well known Well known Well known Always open questions
processes however, various with new developments
mechanisms in the
bodies of soil and still
unclear on the
influence of plants
2 Dimensioning Provisional Established (ATV A Established (ATV A Established (ATV A Established (ATV A Established (ATV A Deviations from normal
determinations (ATV M 201) 201) 257) 122, ATV A 126, ATV 122, ATV A 126, ATV dimensioning values
262 - Draft) A 135) A 135) often at the expense of
process stability and/or
operational safety (ATV
H 254)
3 M and E None to very little None to very little Medium Medium Variably high Mostly high to very Very high
equipment high
4 Constructional Pre-treatment None Mutual matching of Mutual matching of Proven solutions System type unit System type unit
characteristics necessary, lagoons, aeration and lagoons and technical available for all construction; construction;
continuously even stirring installations necessary details occasionally occasionally
wastewater feed and unacceptable space unacceptable space
bed throughflow interconnection interconnection
5 Reaction Bodies of soil difficult Bodies of water Bodies of water Process stages Process stages In part difficult access In part difficult access
volumes to control; enrichment controllable at all controllable at all times controllable individually controllable individually and control possibilities and control possibilities
of substances, times; in some cases of individual spaces of individual spaces
tendency to blockages algae mass
development
6 Buffer capacity Large Exceptionally large Very large Very large to large Large to medium; Often small; long-term Often very small
for pollutant long-term activation activation more
surges more favourable, favourable, biological
biological filter/contactor less so
filter/contactor less so
7 Storage capacity Slight; with additional Very large Very large Very large to large Small to very small Very small; stormwater Usually very small
with regard to bed impoundment stormwater tanks tanks necessary, with stormwater tanks
combined medium necessary, with small small design capacities necessary, with small
wastewater inflow design capacities difficulty with design capacities
difficulty with stormwater tank difficulty with
stormwater tank drainage stormwater tank
drainage drainage
8 Treatment Varying long-term Tested over the long- Tested over the long- Tested over the long- Tested over the long- According to the No long-term
performance experiences term term term term system more or less experience, at least not
- General long-term tested with full load
- Organic Minimum MR maintainable MR maintainable MR maintainable MR maintainable MR maintainable No details possible
substances Requirements (MR)
maintainable
- Nutrients Very variable Moderate Moderate Moderate Slight Slight No details possible
Table 3: Assessment of wastewater treatment processes for connection sizes up to approx. 5000 IPE - continued -
Process A B C D E F G
Plant beds Nonaerated Aerated wastewater Lagoon plant with Mechanical-biological Mechanical-biological Sewage treatment plant
wastewater lagoon lagoon technical sewage treatment sewage treatment plant with additional or new
Assessment criteria intermediate stage plant (compact construction) technology
(biological (open construction) (compact construction)
filter/contactor)
9 Introductory Several weeks None None Intermediate stage a A few weeks A few weeks A few weeks
phase few weeks
10 Operational With inflow facilities Very slight Slight Slight Necessary daily Necessary daily; tasks Necessary daily; tasks
controls, and in the single flow often more difficult due often more difficult due
servicing area increased; to networking; to networking; specialist
plant care necessary specialist required with required with
operational defects operational defects
11 Operational Danger of blockage; Very high Very high to high Very high to high Different dependent on Very different for the Very different for the
safety risks with winter location and design various systems various systems
operation
12 Residues Sludge clearance more Sludge clearance in Sludge clearance in Sludge clearance in Frequency of sludge Sludge clearance more Sludge clearance more
or less frequent one to several year one to several year one to several year removal according to or less frequent or less frequent
depending on the cycles according to cycles according to cycles according to intermediate storage according to system; according to system;
system design design design possibility frequency of sludge sludge removal and
removal according to disposal often not
intermediate storage sufficiently thought out
possibility
13 Operating costs Slight Very slight Considerable electricity Considerable electricity High High No details possible
costs; costs;
overall moderate overall moderate
14 Construction Moderate Moderate Moderate to high Moderate to high High Moderate to high No details possible
costs
15 Area requirement Very large Very large Large Large to moderate Slight Very slight Very slight
16 Environmental Landscaping very Landscaping very Landscaping still very Landscaping still very Measures for Some system dictated Noise and odour
concerns easy; development of easy; development of possible; noise possible landscaping and noise buildings urgently problems usually solved
odours with operating odours with operating protection necessary protection necessary require skilled by complete cover;
problems problems according to aeration concealment super-structure requires
system skilled concealment
17 Area of Alternative to normal Preferably for rural For rural sites > 1000 I; For small sites < 3000 Adaptable to special Particular care required Only after careful
application biological processes sites < 1000 I; particularly suitable for I; in particular with local conditions with selection from the answering of questions
with connection values particularly suitable for locations with limited space or for the numerous on which advantages
< 1000 I; suitable as small locations with wastewater inflows rehabilitation of smaller manufacturer specific the new process brings
down-stream stage for combined wastewater from seasonal overloaded lagoon systems with regard to with departure from
wastewater treatment systems operations plants or of biological advantages, tried systems and with
filter or contactor disadvantages and acceptance of
plants with combined costs additional risks
wastewater problems