A STUDY TO EXAMINE THE PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROCESS

OF TREATING RAW WATER AND MUNICIPAL WASTE WATER IN ELDORET

TOWN, UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA.

BY
KORIR KIPROP KELVIN
NS/0079/2011

A REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE, WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
MASENO UNIVERSITY

August 2016

DECLARATION
I, KORIR KIPROP KELVIN, hereby declare that this attachment report is my original work
and it has not been submitted before for any academic award either in this or other institutions of
higher learning for an academic publication or any other purpose.
The references used here from other journals or materials are indicated in the references section.
Signature: .
KORIR KIPROP KELVIN
Date// 2016

BOD

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

COD

Chemical Oxygen Demand

EU

European Union

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization

IPPC

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

MDG

Millennium Development Goals

O&M

Operations and Maintenance

OECD

Organization- for Economic Co-operation and Development

PPP

Public-Private Partnership

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal

SUDS

Sustainable Urban Drainage System

UWWT

Urban Waste Water Treatment

WFD

Water Framework Directive

WHO

World Health Organization

WWTPS

Wastewater treatment plants

Degrees Celsius

Mg/L

Milligram per liter

ACKNOWLEGEMEMT
I thank the Lord Almighty for the opportunity of a memorable and a fruitful period in Eldoret
Water and Sanitation company limited (ELDOWAS), Eldoret.
My gratitude goes to everybody who offered me any assistance and encouragement in one way
or another in my practical training at ELDOWAS. My sincere thanks go to Maseno University
academic staffs that have imparted their vast knowledge, especially Dr. Ben Akalla and Professor
Raphael Kapiyo who assisted me in my Industrial Attachment unit. It is through their valued
support that I was able to get my training. Many heartfelt thanks for their support.
Many thanks also go to the staff of ELDOWAS for their unwavering support and for giving me a
chance to be part of the ELDOWAS family. Worth mentioning is the invaluable support and
guidance that I constantly got throughout my Industrial Attachment. I express my deep gratitude
to Mr. Reuben Kizito despite his many duties agreed to lead my training. His guidance, his
remarks and relevant suggestions have been immense in carrying out this training. My thanks
also go to Mr. Philip Kosgey Kimaiyo and Mrs. Dorothy for their advice and encouragement.
Special thanks also go to the Acting Director of Quality Assurance, Mr. Edwin Mengich.
I owe the successful compilation of this report to all those people who were constantly beside
me, cheering me on and supporting me all the way during my training and life in general.
Finally, I would like to extent my heartfelt gratitude to my family members especially my father
and mother Joseph Koitum and Alice Chebii, my Brothers Daniel Yator, Dickson Kwemoi ;and
Collins Kipchirchir, my sisters Purity Korir, Christabel Chebet and Emmanuela Cheruto and
Maseno University classmates and other friends for their invaluable support (moral, financially
and otherwise) throughout my training. God bless you all

DEDICATION
This attachment report is dedicated to my family

My father, Mr. Joseph Koitum

My Mother, Mrs. Alice Chebii

and

My Siblings Purity, Dan, Dickson, Christabel, Collins and Emmanuela Cheruto

ABSTRACT
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has a general mission to provide the Public
Institutions with efficient organization and human resources to fit the objectives of best public
service delivery at low cost; and to set up a fair working environment, based on international
standards of health and social security, and favorable to jobs creation and labour market
development. Its Head Office is located along Commercial Street in Industrial Area- Nairobi,
Kenya.
Industrial Attachment was introduced to instill the students with practical, technical skills as a
partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelors Degree and to introduce the students into working
life after the period of lectures. My training was a requirement of partial fulfillment for the award
of Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science with Information Technology (IT) organized by
Maseno University through National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
The training allows the student to link the theoretical principles learned in final years in order to
attain an award of a Bachelors Degree. It gives to the students the practical skills and the work
environment philosophy to use their skills and principles learned in lectures to serve the
institutions and the society in general.
Due to the above reasons, Maseno University organized 12 weeks of training in any institution of
choice for the students so that every student gets an opportunity to apply the skills and
knowledge achieved during the course of study and also acquire new skills in managing
relationship and carrying out the jobs assigned. This is the reason why I was attached to
ELDOWAS company limited to be trained in order to get practical skills.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This section starts with clarifying the ELDOWAS organizational structure; followed by statement
of the problem, objectives of the study, justification, its scope and confinements. It then goes
ahead to give a brief presentation on the historical backdrop of Eldoret Water and Sanitation
Company Limited (ELDOWAS). This section likewise covers the organization profile of
ELDOWAS and additionally a brief clarification on their functions. This part closes by giving an
outline of the office the understudy was joined to and his obligations.
ELDOWAS ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited (ELDOWAS) is a corporate entity established
under Cap 486 of the laws of Kenya. The County Government of Uasin Gishu is principal
shareholder. It was established in 1997 by the then Eldoret Municipal council to manage water
services provision on its behalf. However, the company started operations in the year 2000. With
the operationalization of the Water Act 2002 which drastically changed water service provision
landscape in Kenya putting water services provision in the preview of the Water Services Boards,
Eldowas became an agent of the Lake Victoria North Water Services Board (LVNWSB) charged
with the mandate of service provision in Eldoret town and its environs, a function the company
has executed effectively since its formation, thanks to its multiple sources of water and modern
supply system.
ELDOWAS is headed by Managing director Mr. Reuben Tuei. The everyday activities of the
company are carried out by the organizational units tasked with specific functions.

The following diagram is the organization chart of ELDOWAS

ELDOWAS

TECHNICAL
DEPARTMENT

Quality
Assurance

COMMERCIAL
DEPARTMENT

FINANCIAL
DEPARTMENT

ADMINISTRATI
ON

Mr. Jimmy Kemboi

Mr. P.S PSiwa

Mr. Reuben
Tuei

Sewerage

Water Treatment and

Distribution

a. Technical department - deals with water sources development, water abstraction,

treatment and distribution
b. Commercial department- Billing, revenue collection and customer relations management
c. Financial-Financial management
d. Administration department-Staff matters and the smooth running of the company

Mission and Vision

Vision:

To be world class water service provider

Mission:
ELDOWAS is committed to providing quality and adequate water service in a cost effective
manner to its stakeholders by a qualified and motivated human resource.
The core values of the company are:

Give customers all due care and attention.

Foster and spirit of team work and respect.

Adhere to timely provision of services.

Uphold good corporate governance

recognition and empowerment

Continuity strives to satisfy our customers.

Collaborate with our partners and stakeholders

Constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve.

Embrace change as an opportunity and strive for excellence

Have a passion for continuous quality and reliability improvement.

ELDOWAS Mandate

LVNWSB has engaged ELDOWAS to be a water service provider in Eldoret and its environs
through service provision agreement (SPA) as required by the water act 2002. ELDOWAS is
therefore required to provide water services efficiently and economically in Eldoret and its
environs in compliance with SPA.

Quality Policy
ELDOWAS provides quality water and safe wastewater disposal service that continually meets
the dynamic customer expectations.
Customer Mandate
All our customers are expected to;

Pay your bill promptly.

Facilitate access to meters for proper readings, maintenances and inspection of supply
line.

Report any leakage/burst of water, sewer blockages and vandalism of company facilities.

Avoid illegal usage of water and sewer facilities.

Customers shall maintain their sewer lines within their premises and any request to
Eldowas to undertake the maintenance shall be at their own cost

Provide all up to date personal information or otherwise request by the company.

Treat company staff with courtesy.

Maintain water facilities after the meter point to avoid loss of water and practice rational
use of water.

Not to compromise Company staff.

Ensure the meter is well secured.

Formalize change of residence and termination of contract.

Statement of the problem

Water quality has become a global issue. Every day, millions of tons of inadequately treated
sewage and industrial and agricultural wastes are poured into the worlds waters. Every year,
lakes, rivers, and deltas take in the equivalent of the weight of the entire human population
nearly 7 billion peoplein the form of pollution. Every year, more people die from the
consequences of unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including warand the greatest
impacts are on children under the age of five. The economic losses due to the lack of water and
sanitation in Africa alone is estimated at $US28.4 billion or about 5% of GDP. Water
contamination weakens or destroys natural ecosystems that support human health, food
production, and biodiversity. Studies have estimated that the value of ecosystem services is
double the gross national product of the global economy, and the role of freshwater ecosystems
in purifying water and assimilating wastes has been valued at more than $US400 billion. Most
polluted freshwater ends up in the oceans, damaging coastal areas and fisheries.
Preventing the pollution of water resources by reducing or eliminating contaminants at the
source is almost always the cheapest, easiest, and most effective way to protect water quality.
Prevention includes reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous substances, pollutants, and
contaminants; modifying equipment and technologies so they generate less waste; reducing leaks
and fugitive releases; and reducing energy and water consumption. Preventing pollution permits
communities to spend less money on waste handling, storage, treatment, remediation, and
regulatory monitoring. As the world takes on the unfinished challenges of improving water

quality, meeting Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation, and tackling climate
change, pollution prevention should be prioritized at every level.

Objective of the study

The general objective of this study was to examine the physical, chemical and biological process
of treating raw water and municipal waste water in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
The specific objectives of the study were:
i)

To determine the contributions of wastewater treatment to the change in quality of

ii)

waste water through the different stages of treatment.

To find out compliance of Eldoret water and sanitation company to National
environmental management authority (NEMA) standards.

Research questions
i.
ii.

How does the company treat its waste water?

What are the functions of various steps in waste water treatment?

Justification of study
Clean, safe, and adequate freshwater is vital to the survival of all living organisms and the
functioning of ecosystems, communities, and economies. But the quality of the worlds water is
increasingly threatened as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand,
and as climate change threatens to alter the global hydrologic cycle. There is an urgent need for
the global communityboth public and private sectorsto join together to take on the challenge
of protecting and improving the quality of water in our rivers, lakes, aquifers, and taps. To do so
we must commit to preventing future water pollution, treating waters that are already
contaminated including purification for human consumption, and restoring the quality and

health of rivers, lakes, aquifers, and aquatic ecosystems. These actions will be felt all the way
from the headwaters of our watersheds to the oceans, fisheries, and marine environments that
together help sustain humanity. This is the reason as to conducting this research at ELDOWAS.
1.1 Purpose, Scope and Limitation
Purpose
The Industrial Attachment program satisfies part of the necessity in pursuing the degree of
Bachelor of Environmental Science with IT in Maseno University. This report serves to outline
the activities, experiences and encounters picked up with Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company
(ELDOWAS), Eldoret.
Scope and Limitations
During the attachment, the understudy was involved in collection of water samples, laboratory
analysis of parameters such as PH, turbidity, temperature, biological oxygen demand (BOD),
chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity, suspended and soluble solids, recorded
influent and effluent flow rates of waste water, energy consumption rates of the plant, cleaning of
trickling filters, water distribution functions and maintenance activities and water treatment
works. This report will only cover parts of the tasks, which were finished by the understudy. The
experience and skills picked up amid the attachment period helped the student satisfy the goals
and objectives of the industrial attachment.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule of the attachment was interrupted by a
weeklong seminar attended by the understudy for KNOD foundation at Brackenhurst, Limuru
town. This resulted in a shortage of time for the activities and experience to be garnered at the

main laboratory at head office. Therefore, this report will be limited to the work covered in
Kipkenyo and Quarry waste water treatment plant, Sosiani water treatment works and water
distribution at ELDOWAS southern area offices. Further works done at these areas are described
fully in this report.

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
It is true nowadays to recognize that pollution associated problems are a major concern of the
society. Environmental laws are given general applicability and their enforcement has been
increasingly stricter. So, in terms of health, environment and economy, the fight against pollution
has become a major issue. Today, although the strategic importance of fresh water is universally
recognized more than ever before, and although issues concerning sustainable water management
can be found almost in every scientific, social, or political agenda all over the world, water
resources seem to face severe quantitative and qualitative threats. The pollution increase,
industrialization and rapid economic development, impose severe risks to availability and quality
of water resources, in many areas worldwide.
This report looks at some of the problems caused by the neglect of wastewater management, but
also at the benefits and opportunities that can be realized through proper attention to this area,
and highlights why it is crucial that wastewater management and water quality stop being the
poor relations and receive attention in their own right. Wastewater can have a number of
definitions. The approach taken in this report is a very broad definition following that outlined in
the UNEP/UNHABITAT document Sick Water.
The World Water Forum meeting in March 2012 echoed the problems and the need to bring
waste-water to the fore in world water politics and described the existing situation: Wastewater
management (or the lack thereof) has a direct impact on the biological diversity of aquatic
ecosystems, disrupting the fundamental integrity of our life support systems, on which a wide
range of sectors, from urban development to food production and industry, depend. It is essential

that wastewater management be considered as part of an integrated, full life cycle, eco-systembased management system that operates across all three dimensions of sustainable development
(social, economic and environmental), geographical borders, and includes both freshwater and
marine waters (Corcoran et al. 2010).
Waste water is a key factor in the rise of de-oxygenated dead zones that have been emerging in
the seas and oceans across the globe. This is becoming increasingly a global problem as urban
populations are projected to nearly double in 40 years, from current 3.4 billion to over six billion
people but already most cities lack adequate wastewater management due to aging, absent or
inadequate sewage infrastructure (World Water Council, 2012). According to the fourth World
Water Development Report, presently only 20% of globally produced wastewater receives proper
treatment (UNESCO, 2012). Treatment capacity typically depends on the income 10 Wastewater
Management - A UN-Water Analytical Brief level of the country, thus treatment capacity is 70%
of the generated wastewater in high-income countries, compared to only 8% in low-income
countries (Sato, 2013).
Environmental conditions arising from inadequate or non-existing wastewater management pose
significant threats to human health, well-being and economic activity. Efforts to secure access to
safe drinking-water and basic sanitation, as guided by the MDG target on drinking-water and
sanitation, have been partly hindered by this. It should therefore be recognized as a challenge in
the progressive realization of the human right to water and sanitation. Furthermore, the damage
done to ecosystems and biodiversity is dire. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005)
reported that 60% of global ecosystem services, on which many social and economic activities
depend, are being degraded or used unsustainably, and highlighted the inextricable links between
ecosystem integrity and human health and wellbeing. Ignoring wastewater management leads to

two principle water quality impacts, namely chemical (and specifically nutrient) contamination
and microbial pollution. This section briefly outlines the problems and impacts caused by those
water quality issues and then looks at the current situation in respect to the different components
making up waste- water (i.e. domestic, industrial and agricultural). It focuses on existing
problems and deficiencies that have to be recognized and overcome before real progress can be
made. Although the different components of wastewater are considered separately, it is important
to note, for example, that industrial and commercial effluents are often mixed with domestic
wastewater.
Composition of typical wastewater
Watercourses receive pollution from many different sources, which vary both in strength and
volume. The composition of wastewater is a reflection of the life styles and technologies
practiced in the producing society (Gray, 1989). It is a complex mixture of natural organic and
inorganic materials as well as man-made compounds. Three quarters of organic carbon in sewage
are present as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, amino acids, and volatile acids. The inorganic
constituents include large concentrations of sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine,
sulphur, phosphate, bicarbonate, ammonium salts and heavy metals (Tebbutt, 1983, Horan,
1990 and Lim et al., 2010).
Different sources of pollutants include Discharge of either raw or treated sewage from towns
and villages; discharge from manufacturing or industrial plants; run-off from agricultural land;
and leachates from solid waste disposal sites these sites of pollution have problems so that a
solution is sought (Horan, 1990). Scarcity of water, the need for energy and food are forcing us
to explore the feasibility of wastewater recycling and resource recovery (De la Noe and De
Pauw, 1988).

Microbiological composition of sewage

Wastewater environment is an ideal media for a wide range of microorganisms specially bacteria,
viruses and protozoa. The majority is harmless and can be used in biological sewage treatment,
but sewage also contains pathogenic microorganisms, which are excreted in large numbers by
sick individuals and a symptomic carrier. Bacteria which cause cholera, typhoid and tuberculosis;
viruses which cause infectious hepatitis; protozoa which cause dysentery and the eggs of
parasitic worms are all found in sewage (Glynn Henery, 1989 and Shaaban et al., 2004). The
efficiency of disinfecting sewage is generally estimated by the extent of removal of total
coliform organisms (Sebastian and Nair, 1984). All of these can cause health and environmental
problems and can have economic/financial impacts (e.g. increased treatment costs to make water
usable for certain purposes) when improperly or untreated wastewater is released into the
environment.
The principal objective of wastewater treatment is generally to allow human and industrial
effluents to be disposed of without danger to human health or unacceptable damage to the natural
environment. Some degree of treatment must normally be provided to raw municipal wastewater
before it can be used for agricultural or landscape irrigation or for aquaculture.
The short-term variations in wastewater flows observed at municipal wastewater treatment plants
follow a diurnal pattern. Flow is typically low during the early morning hours, when water
consumption is lowest and when the base flow consists of infiltration-inflow and small quantities
of sanitary wastewater. A first peak of flow generally occurs in the late morning, when
wastewater from the peak morning water use reaches the treatment plant, and a second peak flow
usually occurs in the evening.

Conventional wastewater treatment consists of a combination of physical and biological

processes and operations to remove solids, organic matter and, sometimes, nutrients from
wastewater. General terms used to describe different degrees of treatment, in order of increasing
treatment level, are preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary and/or advanced wastewater
treatment. In some countries, disinfection to remove pathogens sometimes follows the last
treatment step. A generalized wastewater treatment flow in Kipkenyo is as shown in figures
below.

Preliminary treatment
The objective of preliminary treatment is the removal of coarse solids and other large materials
often found in raw wastewater. Removal of these materials is necessary to enhance the operation
and maintenance of subsequent treatment units. Preliminary treatment operations typically
include coarse screening, grit removal and, in some cases, comminution of large objects. In grit
chambers, the velocity of the water through the chamber is maintained sufficiently high, or air is
used, so as to prevent the settling of most organic solids. Grit removal is not included as a
preliminary treatment step in most small wastewater treatment plants. Comminutors are
sometimes adopted to supplement coarse screening and serve to reduce the size of large particles
so that they will be removed in the form of a sludge in subsequent treatment processes. Flow

measurement devices, often standing-wave flumes, are always included at the preliminary
treatment stage.
Primary treatment
The objective of primary treatment is the removal of settleable organic and inorganic solids by
sedimentation, and the removal of materials that will float (scum) by skimming. Approximately
25 to 50% of the incoming biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), 50 to 70% of the total
suspended solids (SS), and 65% of the oil and grease are removed during primary treatment.
(FAO, 2005) Some organic nitrogen, organic phosphorus, and heavy metals associated with
solids are also removed during primary sedimentation but colloidal and dissolved constituents
are not affected. The effluent from primary sedimentation units is referred to as primary effluent.
Secondary treatment
The objective of secondary treatment is the further treatment of the effluent from primary
treatment to remove the residual organics and suspended solids. In most cases, secondary
treatment follows primary treatment and involves the removal of biodegradable dissolved and
colloidal organic matter using aerobic biological treatment processes. Aerobic biological
treatment (see Box) is performed in the presence of oxygen by aerobic microorganisms
(principally bacteria) that metabolize the organic matter in the wastewater, thereby producing
more microorganisms and inorganic end-products (principally CO2, NH3, and H2O). Several
aerobic biological processes are used for secondary treatment differing primarily in the manner
in which oxygen is supplied to the microorganisms and in the rate at which organisms metabolize
the organic matter.

The sedimentation tanks used in secondary treatment, often referred to as secondary clarifiers,
operate in the same basic manner as the primary clarifiers described previously. The biological
solids removed during secondary sedimentation, called secondary or biological sludge, are
normally combined with primary sludge for sludge processing.
i. Activated Sludge
In the activated sludge process, the dispersed-growth reactor is an aeration tank or basin
containing a suspension of the wastewater and microorganisms, the mixed liquor. The contents of
the aeration tank are mixed vigorously by aeration devices which also supply oxygen to the
biological suspension . Aeration devices commonly used include submerged diffusers that
release compressed air and mechanical surface aerators that introduce air by agitating the liquid
surface. Hydraulic retention time in the aeration tanks usually ranges from 3 to 8 hours but can
be higher with high BOD5 wastewaters. Following the aeration step, the microorganisms are
separated from the liquid by sedimentation and the clarified liquid is secondary effluent. A
portion of the biological sludge is recycled to the aeration basin to maintain a high mixed-liquor
suspended solids (MLSS) level. The remainder is removed from the process and sent to sludge
processing to maintain a relatively constant concentration of microorganisms in the system.
Several variations of the basic activated sludge process, such as extended aeration and oxidation
ditches, are in common use, but the principles are similar.
ii. Trickling Filters
A trickling filter or biofilter consists of a basin or tower filled with support media such as stones,
plastic shapes, or wooden slats. Wastewater is applied intermittently, or sometimes continuously,

over the media. Microorganisms become attached to the media and form a biological layer or
fixed film. Organic matter in the wastewater diffuses into the film, where it is metabolized.
Oxygen is normally supplied to the film by the natural flow of air either up or down through the
media, depending on the relative temperatures of the wastewater and ambient air. Forced air can
also be supplied by blowers but this is rarely necessary. The thickness of the biofilm increases as
new organisms grow. Periodically, portions of the film 'slough off the media. The sloughed
material is separated from the liquid in a secondary clarifier and discharged to sludge processing.
Clarified liquid from the secondary clarifier is the secondary effluent and a portion is often
recycled to the biofilter to improve hydraulic distribution of the wastewater over the filter.
Tertiary and/or advanced treatment
Tertiary and/or advanced wastewater treatment is employed when specific wastewater
constituents which cannot be removed by secondary treatment must be removed. As shown in
Figure 3, individual treatment processes are necessary to remove nitrogen, phosphorus,
additional suspended solids, refractory organics, heavy metals and dissolved solids. Because
advanced treatment usually follows high-rate secondary treatment, it is sometimes referred to as
tertiary treatment. However, advanced treatment processes are sometimes combined with
primary or secondary treatment (e.g., chemical addition to primary clarifiers or aeration basins to
remove phosphorus) or used in place of secondary treatment (e.g., overland flow treatment of
primary effluent).

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
1.3. Introduction
During the course of my Industrial Attachment, I was working under Pearson Masemo at
Boundary Sewerage Department in Kipkenyo with Reuben Kizito as his main supervisor in the
Head office (Quality Assurance department). I analyzed data on waste water parameters on a day
to day basis where I used the following methodologies to achieve my objectives.
STUDY AREA
ELDOWAS is one of the many government entities located in Eldoret town, headquarters of
Uasin Gishu County in the former Rift Valley Province, Kenya. Its headquarters is in the
northern part of the Eldoret CBD Kambi- Somali road. ELDOWAS has many branches in
Eldoret town with its head office located opposite Eldoret abattoir; its next to Coca-Cola Rift
Valley bottlers.
Eldoret Water and Sanitation Co. Ltd is responsible for waste-water collection, treatment and
safe disposal in Eldoret Town and its environs. The company operates two sewerage treatment
plants located in Huruma and Kipkenyo in the western part of the town. Final effluent from the
sewage treatment plants are to comply with the requirements of the National Environment
Management Authority (NEMA). The company is also responsible for the provision of the
services associated with all aspects of development including first time service appraisal and
connection to the sewer network and continually investing in the expansion of the sewerage
services to other parts of the town which are yet to receive the service.

STUDY DESIGN
The study involved the collection, collation, mapping and analysis of urban waste water
parameters including waste water treatment facilities and an assessment of future waste water
requirements.
SAMPLING PROCEDURE
The primary purpose of the sampling and analysis is to evaluate a sewage treatment works'
performance and compliance with effluent requirements and this procedure are meant to apply to
all municipal and private sewage treatment works. Wastewater sampling is generally performed
by one of two methods, grab sampling or composite sampling.
Grab sampling is just what it sounds like; all of the test material is collected at one time. As such,
a grab sample reflects performance only at the point in time that the sample was collected, and
then only if the sample was properly collected. Composite sampling consists of a collection of
numerous individual discrete samples taken at regular intervals over a period of time, usually 24
hours. The material being sampled is collected in a common container over the sampling period.
The analysis of this material, collected over a period of time, will therefore represent the average
performance of a wastewater treatment plant during the collection period.

Routine variations in the volume and strength characteristics of incoming wastewater create
fluctuations in the quality of treatment plant effluent. Therefore, an effluent grab sample taken at
one specific time throughout the daily flow pattern will not be representative of system
performance over the entire day. The code of conduct stipulates that treatment plant performance
must be evaluated by tabulating 30-day averages of plant effluent. By definition, a single grab

sample can never be used to evaluate the long-term performance of any wastewater treatment
plant.
Samples were taken daily in the sewerage plant with samples taken by use of a 4 plastic bottles,
sampling cup with handle and fresh samples are take every day at 8:00am and 12 p.m. The
samples are taken from the water intake when waste water are entering the waste water treatment
plant, waste water leaving primary pond, water leaving trickling filters, waste water leaving
coagulation ponds and after the secondary ponds. These samples are analyzed differently and
data recorded for each sample in data logs.
The following were instructions for samples to be taken

Wastewater Samples
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)
1000mL plastic bottle (D)
Store at 0 - 10EC Bottle (D)
48 hour maximum holding time 1000 mL
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
1000mL plastic bottle (D)
24 hour maximum holding time
Faecal coliform bacteria
Fresh samples are required Bottle (C)
250 mL sterile plastic bottle (C) 250 mL
Store at 0 - 10EC
24 hour maximum holding time

General Chemistry
Fresh samples are required
250 mL plastic bottle (B) Bottle (B)
Store at 0 - 10EC 250 mL
24 hour maximum holding time
DATA ANALYSIS
Analyses parameters
The sewage water samples are taken after treatment with the sewage treatment plant and the
following parameters are analyzed:

Thermotolerant coliform bacteria (Faecal coliforms)

Suspended solids

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

pH (acidity)

Chlorine residue

CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.0 Results of the analyses
4.1. Thermotolerant coliforms
-According to NEMA regulations, the geometric mean of the thermotolerant coliform count of
the samples of effluent shall not exceed 250 thermotolerant coliforms/100 ml.
Only three (3) out of 32 samples comply with the test regulations of max. 250 cfu/100 ml.
The other samples exceed the level of bacteria with high concentrations of thermotolerant
coliforms/100 ml and did not come close to the standards. The highest concentration found was
231,000,000 cfu/100ml.
Coliform bacteria, specially the subgroup of thermotolerant or faecal coliforms, are widely used
to evaluate the effect of wastewater disinfection processes. Reduction of thermotolerant
coliforms is correlated with total chlorine residual.
4.2. Suspended solids
The geometric mean of the total suspended solids content of the samples of effluent shall not
exceed 100 mg/ltr.
PARAMETER
SS

INFLUEN

WK 1
2.0

WK 2
2.36

WK3
2.40

WK4
2.11

WK 5
2.42

WK 6
2.56

WK 7
2.32

T
EFLUENT

0.98

0.76

0.88

0.79

1.02

1.22

0.77

3
2.5
2
1.5

SS INFLUENT

SS EFLUENT

0.5
0

Five (5) out of 7 weekly samples showed concentrations of suspended solids within the limits of
the regulations.
Two (22) of the samples even exceed 100 mg/ltr of suspended solids. The highest concentration
found is 1.22 mg/ltr.
4.3. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Biochemical oxygen demand or BOD is a procedure for determining the amount of dissolved
oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic
material present in a given water sample at a certain temperature over a specific time period. It is
not a precise quantitative test, although it is widely used as an indication of the organic quality of
water. It is most commonly expressed in milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre of sample
during 5 days of incubation at 20 C and is often used as a robust surrogate of the degree of
organic pollution of water.
The geometric mean of 5-day Biochemical Oxygen demand of the samples of effluent shall not
exceed 50 mg/ltr.

Paramete

WK 1

WK 2

WK 3

WK 4

WK 5

WK 6

WK 7

r
INFLUEN

89

98

110

77

68

73

69

T
EFLUENT

52

49

42

36

57

53

51

120
100
80
60
40
20

Parameter
INFLUENT
Parameter
EFLUENT

BOD can be used as a gauge of the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants. BOD has
traditionally been used to measure the strength of effluent released from conventional sewage
treatment plants to surface waters or streams. This is because sewage water high in BOD can
deplete oxygen in receiving waters, causing fish kills and ecosystem changes.
Because BOD serves as a food source for microbes, BOD supports the growth of the microbial
biomat. A healthy biomat is desirable because it is capable of removing many of the bacteria and
viruses in the sewage water. The bacteria in a healthy biomat also digest most of the remaining
BOD in the sewage. Too much BOD however, may cause excessive growth of bacteria in the
biomat.
Three (3) out of 7 samples show concentrations of BOD below 50 mg/ltr. Four (4) of the samples
do exceed the limits.
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is the amount of oxygen required to oxidize the organic
carbon completely to CO2 and H2O. Some organic chemicals are not completely oxidized.

A COD value greatly exceeding the BOD value indicates that the sample contains large amounts
of organic compounds that are not easily biodegraded.
The geometric mean of 5-day Chemical Oxygen demand of the samples of effluent shall not
exceed 125 mg/ltr.
PARAMETER
INFLUEN

WK 1
248

WK 2
250

WK 3
240

WK 4
245

WK 5
246

WK 6
251

WK 7
239

T
EFLUENT

122

123

127

129

131

132

123

300
250
200
150

PARAMETER
INFLUENT

100

PARAMETER
EFLUENT

50
0

Two (2) out of 7 samples has a concentration COD within the limits.
Five (5) samples show values over 125 mg/ltr.
pH (acidity)
Generally, wastewater organisms in biological treatment systems function best at pH values
ranging from 6.5 to 8.0. Chlorination is most effective at low pH, and wastewater in sewage
collection systems should be maintained at a value close to 7.0.
PARAMETER
INFLUEN
T

WK 1
7.45

WK 2
7.54

WK 3
7.93

WK 4
7.98

WK 5
7.61

WK 6
7.32

WK 7
7.80

EFLUENT

7.34

7.01

6.69

6.31

6.90

7.20

7.30

9
8
7
6

PARAMETER
INFLUENT

5
4

PARAMETER
EFLUENT

3
2
1
0
WK 1 WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 WK 5 WK 6 WK 7

The pH of the samples of effluent shall be in the range of 6 to 8.5.

All (7) out of 7 samples meet the standards.
Seven (7) of the samples have a pH < 8.5 but remain > 6.
The change in PH between week 3 and week 5 was due to low rainfall hence the amount of
acidity increased due to little storm water entering the drainage pipes.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

TDS of effluent sample shall not exceed 1200mg/L.
PARAMETER
INFLUEN

WK 1
760

WK 2
870

WK 3
1200

WK 4
960

WK 5
1100

WK 6
1300

WK 7
1400

T
EFLUENT

26

42

67

27

47

69

57

1600
1400
1200
1000

PARAMETER
INFLUENT

800

PARAMETER
EFLUENT

600
400
200
0
WK 1 WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 WK 5 WK 6 WK 7

Turbidity
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles (suspended
solids) that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of
turbidity is a key test of water quality. Fluids can contain suspended solid matter consisting of
particles of many different sizes. While some suspended material will be large enough and heavy
enough to settle rapidly to the bottom of the container if a liquid sample is left to stand (the
settable solids), very small particles will settle only very slowly or not at all if the sample is
regularly agitated or the particles are colloidal. These small solid particles cause the liquid to
appear turbid. Turbidity is commonly treated using either a settling or filtration process.
Not to exceed 300NTU
PARAMETER
INFLUEN

WK 1
9.38

WK 2
9.34

WK 3
9.30

WK 4
9.26

WK 5
9.29

WK 6
9.19

WK 7
9.25

T
EFLUENT

8.90

8.88

8.70

8.90

8.78

8.80

8.98

9.6
9.4
9.2
9

PARAMETER
INFLUENT

8.8

PARAMETER
EFLUENT

8.6
8.4
8.2

All samples are within the limits even the influent samples falling below the standard by far.
Conductivity
PARAMETER
INFLUEN

WK 1
9.38

WK 2
9.47

WK 3
9.63

WK 4
9.50

WK 5
9.40

WK 6
9.30

WK 7
9.50

T
EFLUENT

8.96

8.30

8.73

8.27

7.35

7.89

8.11

12
10
8
6

PARAMETER
INFLUENT

PARAMETER
EFLUENT

2
0
WK 1 WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 WK 5 WK 6 WK 7

Not to exceed 10 S/cm.

The samples taken from effluent discharge show values below 10 S/cm.

Temperature
PARAMETER
INFLUEN

WK 1
23.0

WK 2
24.6

WK 3
23.5

WK 4
24.0

WK 5
26.0

WK 6
25.6

WK 7
23.0

T
EFLUENT 22.1
23.0
23.1
22.9
23.7
22.7
24.0
The temperature of the water samples is within the required temperature to carry out the
laboratory tests except for BOD which needs an incubator that maintains a temperature less than
20 degrees Celsius.
27
26
25
24
23
22

PARAMETER
INFLUENT
PARAMETER
EFLUENT

21
20
WK 1 WK 2 WK 3 WK 4 WK 5 WK 6 WK 7

DISCUSSION
The results show the concentrations of five parameters for wastewater treated by
conventional waste water treatment plant at Kipkenyo, Eldoret. It is clear that the use of
conventional system is best for the treatment of all parameters. There is a remarkable reduction
in pH, B.O.D, C.O.D by this treatment and the treated water has become fit enough to be let out
directly into a receiving water body as the concentrations are below allowable limits. Thus the
conventional treatment can be used independently or as an addition to other treatment
methods so as to make the final output fit enough for discharge into a natural water body. A

sudden change in values of TSS and BOD from week 1 to week 7are noted. This is due the fact
those two weeks shows water uses combined with some amount of rainfall that increased from
May to Aug due to heavy rainfall.
REPORT ON WATER TREATMENT
Introduction
I was attached at Sosiani Water treatment works located near Kenmosa Village from week 7 to
week 12. The project obtains water from Two Rivers dam which is six kilometers away and is
situated in a place higher than the actual site to allow water to flow by gravity hence reduce the
pumping costs. It is also advantageous for them to obtain water from the Dam because the dam
helps in minimizing siltation hence no blockage of the pipe and also there is enough aeration of
the water in the dam. Eldowas has laid down two supply pipes of 400mm and 600mm diameters
to supply water for the use by populations in Eldoret town.
Water treatment process
Water from the Two- rivers Dam is passed through bar screens to help in removing large debris
such as logs and larger leaves then the velocity is reduced to allow the smaller particles to settle.
Screening is also performed to allow for very fine particles to settle. Solids are removed by
sedimentation (settling) followed by filtration. Small particles are not removed efficiently by
sedimentation because they settle too slowly; they may also pass through filters. They would be
easier to remove if they clumped together (coagulated) to form larger particles, but they don't
because they have a negative charge and repel each other (like two north poles of a magnet).
a) Coagulation and flocculation
In coagulation, we add a chemical such as alum which produces positive charges to
neutralize the negative charges on the particles. Then the particles can stick together,

forming larger particles which are more easily removed. The coagulation process
involves the addition of the chemical (e.g. alum) and then a rapid mixing to dissolve the
chemical and distribute it evenly throughout the water. In ELDOWAS they make use of
poly aluminum chloride which has the following advantages over other coagulants i.e. it
is easy to dose in the water and it does not react with water hence cannot change the PH
of the water. The neutral clay particles then stick together forming large particles called
flocs.
b) Sedimentation
Sedimentation process takes place in the sedimentation tanks. The water flows into this
tanks with a V shaped bottom where gravity causes the flocs to settle at the bottom.
Larger particles settle at a more faster pace than smaller particles. It takes a very long
time for this particles to settle hence there were very large and deep sedimentation ponds.
As the flocs settle, the top water is clarified by use of metallic channels on the upper
water level that are cleaned everyday to remove these flocs from settling on its walls. The
water then flows to the next process which is filtration where finer particles would be
removed.
c) Filtration
The filtration apparatus is a concrete box that contains sand which does the filtering. At
its bottom it contains gravel which keeps the sand from getting out with the filtered water
and an under drain which the filtered water exits. When the filter is operated for a while,
the sand gets clogged with dirt and must be backwashed. To do this the flow of water
lighter than the sand so they rise up and are flushed from the system. When backwashing
is complete, the sand settles down onto the gravel, flow is reversed and the process
begins again.
d) Disinfection

After all the particles have been removed, the water is disinfected so that no pathogens
remain. The water is disinfected with chlorine which removes bacteria, protozoa and
viruses. Enough chlorine is added so that some remains to go out in the water distribution
system protecting the water once it left the plant.
e) Storage and distribution
After the water has been treated it is stored in underground tanks ready for distribution. The
water is not pumbed as it flows by gravity to the southern and the CBD of Eldoret town due
to the higher elevation than these adjacent areas. This in essence reduces costs that would be
accrued in the use of electrical power.

Chapter five
Conclusions
The internship is a bridge between the theoretical knowledge and the practical or the reality work
at the field of construction or civil engineering work. Since I took my internship session in
Eldoret water and sanitation company (ELDOWAS) for the government of the Republic of
Kenya, Uasin Gishu County, Eldoret I got an opportunity to work in the different parts of
municipal water treatment and distribution works which helped me to gain more knowledge by
seeing what they work in their own office and what is their main responsibilities to the client and
also each other.
This program played an important role to break the conventional thought that field works can be
only implemented by students who hold a degree or people who have an experience in chemical
and chemical engineering. We were able to acquire a high level of confidence to deal with
problems that arise in a water treatment, distribution and waste water treatment.
However, this internship program was not free from challenges. The most challenge was the
amount of money allocated to the project was insufficient to handle all the expense of the
students during the internship experience and shortage of resource for student like computer,
class rooms for student only and any other problem exist. But they come up with the challenges
and teach us how we must gown to be in the field after the graduation.
Overall the internship program laid sound foundation for me to start my career. I am proud to be
able to contribute towards nation building during the country's extremely critical period of the
history. It will be definitely sensible to scale this practice up and to replicate in other disciplines
as well.

Recommendations
Recommendation to the ELDOWAS company
Most works in the company need careful attention and successive supervision of works but the in
some case the site works goes improperly due to different causes. This kind of carelessness is not
good for ether the consultant or the contractor. Therefore I suggest supervisors and site engineers
to take a care full look after the work executed on the site and the work that will be executed.
In the site there are works which is performed in the way that not to be performed. Such works
lids to safety problem, loose of human power if its degree is high and economy if it is ordered to
demolish it.
Accident administration
After involving the above stated methods of prevention of accident, there could arise different
disastrous calamities within the project, which necessitate the application of most serious and
acute acting administration.
First Aid: - A dresser, who has relevant professional background will be assigned on site for any
possible first aid.
Secondary Treatment: Some accidents may require secondary treatment as a result of infliction
serious injury.
Recommendation to Maseno University
Before and after we go to the companies the school must fulfill the following:
Evaluating and supervising student as they are in the site by sending mentors on time.

 Giving courses that are appropriate for the site work before the internship class is
commenced like report writing, quantity survey etc.
Working with the companies closely to address more knowledge to the student.
Sending the student on time to their hosting company.
Organizing students those reside in the same place to create a team playing skill and
provide group working environment in order to share ideas.
Budget for the internship is not enough to student and it is not updated and not parallel
with the price right now.
Mostly those listed problem challenges the student at site and if the school can erase those
challenges the intern student can do every work without being stressed and worries.

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Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. 2003. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse. 4th Edition.
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