ASSOCHAM-ACME

SEMINAR ON
INNOVATIONS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT
AND ECONOMIC REUSE

SEWAGE TREATMENT ISSUES:

THE DEVELOPERS PERSPECTIVE

Presented by:
Mr. J. K. Chandra & Team

DLF LIMITED
19 Sep 2006 1

ABOUT DLF

DLF Group is a leading name in India's real estate industry. DLF

developed as many as 25 urban townships in Delhi, housing half
a million residents served by 200 km of road, laying more than
150 km of water mains and 100 km of sewer lines.

The Group's portfolio, spread over 3000 acres in Gurgaon, has

enabled the organization to expand and execute top-notch
projects across its Residential, Commercial, Retail and Land
Development segments. DLF is expanding to the cities of
Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai,
Cochin and Hyderabad.

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 ABOUT DLF
(Contd.)

The landmark commercial structures, high-end and modern

residential and retail complexes, all showcase the best of
standards in architectural plans, design layouts, construction
quality and its concern for environmental protection through
waste minimization and its treatment for recycling and reuse.

DLF is more than just a Developer. DLF understands that space

is more than just buildings; it is the creation of an eco-system
that provides a holistic framework for enhanced lifestyles and
working environments.

19 Sep 2006 3

INTRODUCTION: DEVELOPRERS PERSPECTIVE

Main water requirement for construction projects are:

Cooling water for Air-conditioning & Back-up generators
Domestic (Drinking, Sanitation & kitchen)
Horticulture
Availability of usable water is reducing day by day due to
rapid urbanization, population explosion and over
extraction of both surface and ground water. Besides, at
many a places, groundwater abstraction is restricted.
Therefore, alternate source of water is to be looked into.
Ideally on-site treatment of sewage / industrial effluent
and reuse of treated effluent is the only remedy.

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 WATER REQUIREMENT
IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

During construction the water requirements are:

Domestic (drinking & sanitation for workers)
Dust suppression at construction site
Concreting & curing
Washing equipment & Others
During operation the water requirements are:
Domestic (drinking & sanitation)
Kitchen & food court
Air-conditioning & generator cooling
Horticulture
Fire water make-up & Filter back wash
Swimming pool in some cases

19 Sep 2006 5

BREAKUP OF WATER REQUIREMENT

IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Water Consumption for Various Uses

in our Projects

Others
12%
Domestic
42%

AC/Genset
Cooling
46%

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 SOURCE OF WATER
IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Sources of water during construction:

Through tankers by suppliers
In few cases, groundwater through bore wells, if permitted
Sources of water during operation:
Municipal supply
Groundwater through bore wells wherever permitted
Recycling of treated sewage from STP for:
Air-conditioning
Generator cooling
Horticulture

19 Sep 2006 7

WATER REQUIREMENT AND SUPPLY

IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Water Requirement and Supply

800
700
600
500
kld

400
300
200
100
0
Total Water Water Requirem ent Water Requirem ent Supply from Fresh Supply from
Requirem ent for Dom estic Use for AC/Genset Water Recycled Effluent
Cooling

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 REUSE OF TREATED EFFLUENT
IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

The water requirement for air-conditioning and

cooling of generators are huge compared to domestic
(drinking & sanitation) requirement.
Therefore only part of the AC & cooling requirement
are met through recycling of treated effluent. The rest
is met using fresh water.
No treated effluent is left for reuse for other purposes.
Treated effluent can be utilized for :
Air-conditioning and generator cooling
Horticulture/ Irrigation
Flushing of toilets
Car washing and dust suppression etc.
Filling artificial/ natural lakes/ ponds for recreation
Emphasis is now on Zero Discharge to Public Sewerage
System
19 Sep 2006 9

CONSTRAINTS TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS

Constraint to setting up STP by a Private Agency

Space requirement (Space requirement is a major constraint
to set up STP up to tertiary level and also provide for parking
in basements)
Government should permit the developer to construct such
STPs in parks, green belts or in set back area available .
Reuse of treated effluent fluctuates depending on climatic
conditions. During monsoon & winter surplus water from
STP is to be diverted to other areas or discharged into the
municipal sewer. Due to this electricity and man power go
waste.

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 CONSTRAINTS TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS
(Contd.)
Therefore, it would be ideal if the Govt. plans centralized
STP (up to secondary stage) with private participation and
treated effluent can be supplied to each building with
proper metering and can be charged accordingly.
The end user can use the treated effluent after tertiary
treatment to suit his requirement.
Thereby the space requirement of end user reduces and
overall power demand as well as operation cost
minimizes.
Moreover sludge is being generated at one point and it
will be easier to handle.
If treated wastewater is to be used for toilet flushing,
separate system of distribution is required.

19 Sep 2006 11

SOME SUGGESTIONS

Govt. should enact law to minimize the use of potable

water for use other than drinking.
Further all building should provide dual piping system i.e.
For flushing of toilets and
For domestic consumption like bathing, cooking, etc.
To minimize the water usage, use of flush valves and high
flow faucets to be discouraged.
In Public buildings delay action or sensor operated taps to
be insisted.

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 TYPE OF SECONDARY TREATMENT

Most common treatment method is Aerobic treatment due

to convenience and quality of effluent generated
Common types of Aerobic Treatment:
Activated Sludge Process
Extended Aeration method
Fluidized Bioreactor (FBR) or Fluidized Media Reactor (FMR)
Submerged Aerobic Fixed Film Process (SAFF)
Membrane Bio-reactor: (MBR)
Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC)
Trickling Filters
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB)
Oxidation Pond/ Ditch

19 Sep 2006 13

TERTIARY TREATMENT

Polishing of treated effluent:

Treated effluent received from STP can be further polished to
suit the requirement.
Irrigation:
Treated effluent can be directly use to irrigation after sand
filtration & chlorination.
Flushing of toilets and washing:
Treated effluent can be polished to the required level by sand
filter, activated carbon filter and chlorination.
Air-conditioning:
Treated effluent can be further treated with chlorination, sand
filtration, activated carbon filtration, softening.

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 ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS

Process:
It is mainly used by Municipal Corporation and
Government agencies where land is available. Fixed or
floating surface aerators are used. Diffused fine bubble
aeration is also commonly used.
Merits:
Most commonly used for treating large quantity of
wastewater.
Demerits:
In this method, where the liquid depth to be kept
minimum, needs more space. This plant should be
preferably totally above ground.

19 Sep 2006 15

EXTENDED AERATION METHOD

Process:
Air will be induced to the aeration tank through surface
aerators or submerged diffusers fixed at the bottom of
aeration tank for longer duration.
Merits:
In this method space requirement is less due to higher
liquid depth. Quality of treated effluent generated is
comparatively better than activated sludge process. It
can be either above ground or below ground.

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 FLUIDIZED BIOREACTOR (FBR) OR
FLUIDIZED MEDIA REACTOR (FMR)

Process:
It is also a form of extended aeration but floating media
is issued in the reactor (aeration tank) to increase the
surface area.
Merits:
Space requirement is almost 60% of extended aeration.
Air will be pumped through diffused aerators. It can be
above or below ground.
Demerits:
FBR do not tolerate oil and grease for which
pretreatment for oil & grease is necessary and stringent
monitoring is also required.

19 Sep 2006 17

SUBMERGED AEROBIC FIXED FILM PROCESS

(SAFF)

Process:
It is almost like FAB, but in this case media is in the
form of fixed corrugated blocks of PVC / HDPE / LDPE
material. Air will be pumped through aerators.
Merits:
Space requirement is almost similar to FAB. It can be
above or below ground.
Demerits:
This technology is also not tolerant to oil and grease.

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 MEMBRANE BIO-REACTOR (MBR)

Process:
It is a new technology with less space requirement. It is
designed to generate high quality of treated effluent. It
is almost like ultra-filtration.
Merits:
The space requirement is almost 1/3 of extended
aeration method. It can be above or below ground.
Demerits:
Main constraint is the capital cost and cost of spare
membrane. Overall cost will be almost 2-3 times the
cost of any other type of treatment plant.

19 Sep 2006 19

ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR (RBC)

Process:
It is also a type of aeration method but the oxygen will
be absorbed from the atmosphere by the rotating drum,
which is partially submerged in the effluent.
Merits:
It can be above or below ground. Ideally it should be
above ground.
Demerits:
Ideally it should be above ground.

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 SETTLING TANK

19 Sep 2006 21

TERTIARY TREATMENT

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 TERTIARY TREATMENT

19 Sep 2006 23

PUMPING ARRANGEMENTS

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 PUMPING ARRANGEMENTS

19 Sep 2006 25

CONTROL PANEL

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