WASTEWATER

CHARACTERIZATION
The principal constituents in wastewater, derived from
domestic, municipal and industrial sources, are: human
excreta (i.e., feces and urine), shower/bath water, food
waste, personal and household maintenance products,
along with a wide variety of other inorganic and organic
compounds in trace amounts. Given the wide variety of
constituents that may be found in wastewater, it is
common practice to characterized wastewater in terms of
its physical properties and its chemical and biologic
 WASTEWATER
PROPERTIES AND
CONSTITUENTS
The principal physical properties and the
chemical and biological constituents of
wastewater and their sources are reported in
Table 2-1.
CONSTITUENTS OF CONCERN
IN WASTEWATER
TREATMENT
The important constituents of concern in
wastewater treatment are listed in Table 2-2.
SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL
PROCEDURES
Sampling
- Sampling programs are undertaken for a variety reasons, such
as to obtain (1) routine operating data on overall plant
performance, (2) data that can be used to document the
performance of a given treatment process, (3) data that can be
used to implement proposed new programs and (4) data needed for
reporting regulatory compliance. To meet the goals of the sampling
program, the data collected must be:
1. Representative
2. Reproducible
3. Defensible
4. Useful
 Before a sampling program is undertaken, a detailed
sampling protocol must be developed along with a
quality assurance project plan (QAPP) (known previously
as quality assurance/quality control, QA/QC).

1. Sampling Plan:
- Number of sampling locations, number and types
of samples, time intervals (e.g., real time/or time-delayed
samples)
2. Sample types and size:
- Catch or grab samples, composite samples or
integrated samples, separate samples for different
analyses (e.g., for metals). Sample size (i.e., volume)
required.

3. Sample labeling and chain of custody:

- Sample labels, sample seals, field log book, chain of
custody record, sample analysis request sheets, sample
delivery to the laboratory, receipt and logging of sample,
4. Sampling Methods:
- Specific techniques and equipment to be used
(e.g., manual, automatic or sorbent sampling).

5. Sampling storage and preservation:

- Type of containers (e.g., glass or plastic),
preservation methods, maximum allowable holding
times
6. Sample Constituents:
- A list of the parameters to be measured

7. Analytical methods:
- A list of the field and laboratory test methods and
procedures to be used and the detection limits for the
individual methods.
 METHODS OF ANALYSIS
The analysis used to characterize wastewater vary from
precise quantitative chemical determinations to the more
qualitative biological and physical determinations. The
quantitative methods of analysis are gravimetric,
volumetric, or physicochemical.