Professional Documents
Culture Documents
W A S T E W A T E R - W A S T E
ADVISORY LEAFLET
ATV-M 273E
August 1999
ISBN 3-935067-38-0
Obtainable from:
GFA Verlag e.V. the Publishing Company of ATV-DVWK - Wastewater, Waste
and Water Management
Theodor-Heuß-Allee 17, D-53773 Hennef
Telephone: ++49-2242/872-120, Telefax: ++49-2242/872-100
E-mail: lumma@atv.de - Internet: http://www.gfa-verlag.de
ATV-M 273E
Preparation
This Advisory Leaflet has been elaborated by the ATV Working Group 2.3.2 "Waterworks
Sludge" within the ATV Specialist Committee 2.3 " Discharge of Wastewater from
Commercial and Industrial Concerns into a Public Wastewater Facility".
ATV Working Group 2.3.2 "Waterworks Sludge" has the following members:
Dr.-Ing. Dieter Bergmann, Dresden, (Chairman)
Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Dammann, Hamburg
Dipl.-Ing. Bernd-Rüdiger Dries, Forchheim
Dr.-Ing. Predrag Ilic, Frankfurt
Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Ließfeld, Bonn
Dipl.-Chem. Ferdinand Sarfert, Berlin
Dipl.-Ing. Karl Sichler, Erlangen
Dipl.-Ing. Wolfram Such, Siegburg (Vice-Chairman)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Knut Wichmann, Hamburg
The following has collaborated as guest:
Dipl.-Ing. Silke Asmussen, Hennef
All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Advisory Leaflet 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.
GFA -Publishing Company of ATV-DVWK - Wastewater, Waste and Water Management, Hennef 1999
Contents
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Preparation 2
Foreword 4
2. Terms, Definitions 6
2.1 Public water supply facilities 6
2.2 Public wastewater facilities 6
2.3 Residual matter 6
2.4 Wastes 6
2.5 Wastewater 6
2.6 Water containing sludge 7
2.7 Sludges 7
2.8 Dewatered sludge 7
2.9 Clarified water 7
2.10 Feeding into wastewater facilities 7
2.11 Introduction into wastewater facilities 7
4 Composition 8
8 Notes on economy 15
9 Checklists 16
9.1 Details on the waterworks 17
9.2 Checklists for the wastewater facilities operator(s) 20
9.2.1 Sewers, pumping stations, elevators 20
9.2.2 Wastewater treatment facilities 21
10 Summary assessment 23
Literature 24
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The application of this Advisory Leaflet is open to everyone. However, an obligation for
application can arise from legal or administrative regulations, a contract or other legal
reason.
This Advisory Leaflet is an important, however, not the sole source of information for
correct solutions. With its application no one avoids responsibility for his own action or for
the correct application in specific cases; this applies in particular for the correct handling
of the margins described in the Advisory Leaflet.
Foreword
The feeding and introduction of residual matter from water supply facilities into
wastewater systems have, in numerous cases in the past, been well proven. It has been
known for a long time that, with a defined dosing of the waterworks residual matter - into
a sewer or into a wastewater treatment system - operational advantages can result with
the disposal of wastewater. The modified water and waste general legal regulations
nevertheless no longer allow this disposal route to be based essentially on an agreement
between water supplier and wastewater disposer, but demand for this the fulfilment of
numerous criteria.
Insofar as the legal and technical prerequisites are met, the disposal of waterworks
residual matter through the feeding or introduction into wastewater systems can often still
be an economically cost-effective solution. Therefore it is a priority task of the DVGW -
Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V (German Association for Gas and
Water) - and the ATV-DVWK - Vereinigung für Abwasser, Abfall und Gewässerschutz e.
V (German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste), through a common Advisory
Leaflet, so to regulate the feeding and introduction of residual matter from water supply
facilities into wastewater facilities, that ecologically and economically sensible solutions
apply. With this, for the operator of a wastewater facility, above all with the matching and
optimising of existing engineering systems, it can concern possible consequences for the
waterworks operator through the employment of other operating material, or appropriate
processing technology to match the properties of the residual matter to the requirements
of the wastewater disposer.
In this Advisory Leaflet arguments and facts are combined which make it possible for
both the waterworks operator and the operator of the wastewater facility to consider the
advantages and disadvantages from the respective points of view and to find a common
platform for this disposal route. Technical questions with the employment of waterworks
residual matter in wastewater facilities are described and operational effects with the
disposal of wastewater are demonstrated so that appropriate constraints for the
acceptance of waterworks residual matter by those responsible for the disposal of
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wastewater can be laid down, taking into account disposal safety for the water supply
facility and the process-technical operating safety for the wastewater facility.
ATV Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 273 has passed through the public participation procedure
in accordance with ATV Standard ATV-A 400. Due to the existing objections publication
as an ATV Standard has been dropped, with the result that, due to its rather
recommendatory character, it is published as an Advisory Leaflet.
The Advisory Leaflet is published, with the same technical text, under the number W 222
within the DVGW Rules and Standards.
The scope of the advisory leaflet covers the disposal of solid and liquid waterworks
residues. With this, both the immediate utilisation of residual matter in wastewater
facilities and also a joint disposal together with residual matter from wastewater
treatment are included.
Through the feeding or introduction of residual matter, the water quality and the
possibilities for the disposal of sewage sludge are not to be jeopardised illegally. Based
on this principle, the essential technical prerequisites, which are available or which must
be created, are described in this advisory leaflet, so that this requirement can be met.
The advisory leaflet contains details on the type, source and composition of the
waterworks residual matter. The technical possibilities for the feeding and introduction of
residual matter as well as the possible effects on the operation of the wastewater
facilities are also described. For costs determination there is information which enables a
cost-based assessment of this disposal route to be made. With the help of checklists the
necessary details and parameters for a possible feeding/introduction of waterworks
residual matter into wastewater facilities can be ascertained and thus the suitability of the
disposal possibility can be checked and the disposal route can be traceably documented.
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With regard to the legal prerequisites for the disposal of waterworks residual matter into
wastewater facilities, attention is drawn to the ATV Report "Disposal of Waterworks
Residual Matter in Municipal Wastewater Facilities - Prerequisites for Admissibility under
Water and Waste Law" [16] and DVGW Standard W 221-1 [3].
The application of the available advisory leaflet does not replace examination of the
individual case. This examination is to take place in close collaboration between the
operators of water supply systems and wastewater facilities; if required the responsible
authorities are to be involved. With this, the examination can lead to a pre-treatment of
the waterworks residual matter becoming practical or necessary. For this attention is
drawn to DVGW Standard W 221-2 [3]. If the examination shows that disposal in the
wastewater facility is not possible or not practical, other disposal routes are to be
selected for the waterworks residual matter. Attention is drawn to DVGW Standard
W 221-3 for this.
2 Terms, Definitions
2.1 Public Water Supply Facility
Within the meaning of this advisory leaflet as part of the public water supply facility is any
system provided for the extraction, processing, storage and distribution of water for the
supply of the general public.
Considered as a public water supply facility is any system provided to the general public
for the collection, discharge, treatment or disposal of wastewater as well as for the
treatment of sewage sludge in connection with wastewater disposal.
Residual matter from water supply facilities are those unavoidable resultant substances
with water processing and distribution which cannot be returned into the preparation
process or be marketed as a by-product [3]. They must, therefore, be disposed of.
2.4 Wastes
In accordance with the legal waste regulations, all residual matter even if it can be
utilised is designated as waste, insofar as is not wastewater.
2.5 Wastewater
Liquid residual matter is wastewater within the meaning of water law as soon as it is
discharged into a wastewater facility.
Designated as water containing sludge is water produced during water processing which
contains solid matter. For example water from the flushing of filters.
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2.7 Sludges
Within the meaning of this Advisory Leaflet, sludges are the still free-flowing solid/water
mixtures in which the undissolved substances are enriched following sedimentation,
flotation or thickening of water containing solid matter.
Dewatered sludge is sludge from which water is removed, using natural or mechanical
processes, such that, in general, it is no longer free-flowing.
Designated as clarified water is water which is extensively free of solid material resulting
from water containing sludge and sludge with water being separated in settling tanks,
thickeners or flotation plants,
Feeding into wastewater facilities is the delivery of water containing sludge and sludge
Introduction into wastewater facilities is the delivery of dewatered sludges and solid
residual matter
With the processing of drinking water there are content substances to be removed which,
from a hygienic aspect, are undesirable or can cause technical problems such as
depositing, colouring or corrosion in the distribution network. The processing of process
water for commercial, industrial, agricultural or similar purposes serves for the removal of
substances from the raw water to fit its characteristics to the respective utilisation
purposes and to certain requirements.
Here, only the specific residual matter from water processing and distribution systems
are gone into in detail. The type and properties of the other residual matter from other
water supply facilities such as laboratories, workshops, test centres, recreational facilities
for operational and administrative personnel etc. do not vary from those from other
branches. They are not dealt with in this advisory leaflet.
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The main types of residue from water supply facilities are listed below:
4 Composition
Water containing sludge is mainly yielded as residual matter from the various treatment
stages with the processing of groundwater and surface water.
The properties of the residual matter to be disposed of are influenced by the substances
removed from the treated water, the processing method employed and the chemicals
used with this.
The material composition of the substances, which varies according to the origin of the
water to be processed and according to the processing method applied, influences to a
considerable extent the physical and, inter alia, also the mechanical characteristics of the
residual matter.
The main components of the important residual matter from water processing are listed
as an example in Table 1.
In addition, undesired ancillary components such as, for example, halogenised organic
compounds, measured as AOX, heavy metals or others (e.g. arsenic) can be contained,
which, with feeding/introduction into the wastewater facility, can acquire significance. In
the case of application an analysis of the relevant content substances should be
presented by the waterworks for closer assessment (comp. checklist in Chap. 9.1).
With assessment with regard to an agricultural utilisation of sewage sludge the guidance
values of ATV Standard ATV-A 202 " Procedures for the Elimination of Phosphorus from
Wastewater", Table 2 are to be observed [18].
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1) Example of a typical combination of residual matter from the softening decarbonisation of groundwater in Northern Germany.
Residual matter of this type from other waterworks can also contain considerable parts of Mg(OH)2 or acidic insoluble matter.
2) Example of a typical combination of residual matter from the deferrisation and demanganising of groundwater in Northern
Germany. Residual matter of this type from other waterworks can also contain considerable parts of Al2O3 • H2O, Ca3(PO4)2
/Fe(PO)4 , Mg(OH)2 or acidic insoluble matter.
3) Example of a Fe flocculation sludge from the processing of catchment basin water. Fe flocculation sludge from other waterworks
can also contain a significant share of CaCO3, CaSO4, Ca3(PO4)2/Fe(PO)4, MnO2 or Mg(OH)2.
4) Example of a Al flocculation sludge from the processing of catchment basin water. Al flocculation sludge from other waterworks
can also contain a significant share of Ca3(PO4)2/Fe(PO)4, MnO2, or Mg(OH)2 as well as, under certain circumstances, a share of
powdered active carbon.
5) Example of a sludge from the flocculation and sand washings from slow sand filtration from the processing of river water.
6) Corresponds with the double TOC value.
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Possible effects on sludge digestion:
• reduction of the retention time in the digester and increase of heat requirement as a
result of greater sludge yield
• phosphorus fixing
• improvement of the gas quality through H2S bonding and, parallel to this, increase of
the CH4 element.
Possible effects on sludge dewatering and disposal:
• greater sludge yield corresponding to the waterworks sludge input (1 to 5 % of the
DR (dry residue) load with identical catchment areas for water supply and wastewater
disposal), which is, in part, reduced through precipitant composition and digestion.
• change of thickening and dewatering characteristics
• reduction of the thermal value
• reduction of the phosphorus reversal with dosing of iron sludge, in particular with
plants with increased biological phosphorus elimination
• change of the sewage sludge composition depending on the input of waterworks
residual matter
• with active carbon residues: increase of the thermal value and the pollutant load (for
example AOX)
The effects listed, with the introduction or feeding of waterworks residual matter into the
effected process stage, can occur singly or in combination. As a rule, the effects can be
estimated based on analyses and available experience. If this should not be possible,
trial operation with, if required, supplementary tests are recommended first.
Should the introduction or feeding of waterworks residual matter influence the operation
of the wastewater facility negatively, there are, to a certain extent, possibilities of
reducing or stopping these effects by appropriate measures on the part of the water
supplier.
Such measures could be:
• pre-treatment (for example to remove coarse materials or for the separation of sand
from the waterworks residual matter)
• separation of different sorts of residue with the aim of separate disposal (for example,
of residual matter containing lime and iron)
• storage of residual matter either to even out the hydraulic loading or with the aim of
dosing to fit the requirement.
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The dosing of iron sludge for phosphate elimination is possible in the sewer network, in
the wastewater treatment installations and in the facilities for sludge treatment. With this,
in the aerobic milieu, a phosphate adsorption takes place which, in its effect, is heavily
dependent on the pre-loading with organic compounds, the pH value and the calcium
content [6]. With the same dosing the phosphate elimination is, however, significantly
smaller than with the employment of commercial precipitant (ca. 10 to 20 %). To be rated
as a positive side effect is the concurrent retention of COD and filterable substances.
Better effects with regard to phosphorus elimination are achieved, if the iron (III)
hydroxide in the anaerobic milieu is reduced, for example through sulphide. Thus bivalent
iron is available for precipitation which, for example with wastewater treatment plants
with increased biological P-elimination, leads to a significantly smaller reversal effects
from digesters and thickeners.
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The employment of iron salts for sulphide bonding in digesters is operational practice in
many wastewater treatment plants. Iron sludge can be dosed with comparable
effectiveness as, in both cases, the same chemical reactions lead to sulphide
precipitation. [7]. With ß values of 2.2. to 2.5, referred to the sulphide sum in the sludge
and in the gas, normally one finds H2S contents in digester gas of below 100 ppm. With
this there is no need for gas cleaning. As side effect a precipitation of redissolved
phosphate occurs. The effects described can also be achieved in plants for anaerobic
wastewater treatment.
The agreement of the wastewater system operators and, if required, that of the
responsible authority is necessary. A suitable dosing point for the waterworks residual
matter as well as the quantity and period of dosing are to be agreed with all those
involved.
For this the following information is required for analysis by the wastewater system
operator:
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7.2 Discharge into the Sewer System
For discharge into the sewer system and all its installations the following prerequisites
must be fulfilled:
With combined sewer systems attention is to be paid to the position of the stormwater
overflow.
If elevators or pumping stations are present in the sewer network, then the following
prerequisites are to be checked for discharge:
If feeding cannot be carried out due to unfavourable hydraulic conditions in the sewer
network or due to a lack of possibilities for connection, there is a chance of direct feed
via a transport pipeline or using vehicles. If a deliberate dosing into certain process
stages in the wastewater treatment facilities is desired for technical operational reasons,
these transport paths are equally necessary. With the latter possibility a previous
thickening of the water containing the sludge can be practical for reasons of cost.
Residual matter can be fed in before the following process stages (see also Fig. 1):
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Feeding before the secondary settling tanks and before a possible additional existing
filtration stage is not sensible.
8 Notes on Economy
The disposal of waterworks residual matter, depending on the disposal path, gives rise to
different costs. Their amount is an essential criterion for the operator for the selection of
the disposal path.
For the determination of the costs, first the technical prerequisites for the feeding-in of
waterworks residues is to be clarified with the operator of the accepting wastewater
plant.
With the determination of these costs the operator of the wastewater facility should take
into account the following factors:
• saving of operational material (for example for P and H2S elimination (precipitant and
for combatting odours (oxygen))
• increased energy yield and lower gas motor maintenance by improvement of digester
gas quality
• costs for alternative facilities, for example for combatting odours in the sewer
network, which are compensated by the introduction of sludge.
9 Checklists
Below are the checklists, which provide the necessary details and constraints for a
possible feeding or introduction of waterworks residual matter into wastewater facilities.
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Checklist 9.1 refers to the quantity and composition of the waterworks residues
concerned, the most varied constraints which should be known before the feeding or
introduction of waterworks residual matter and additional general details on those
involved. Checklist 9.1 is to be filled in by the waterworks operator and serves as
information basis for the wastewater facility operator(s). Details are based on ATV
Standard ATV-A 115 "Discharge of Non-domestic Wastewater into a Public Wastewater
System" [1] as well as the questionnaire in ATV Standard ATV-A 163, Part 1, "Indirect
Dischargers/Registration" [2] and adjusted for the special case of feeding/introduction of
waterworks residual matter into wastewater facilities.
Checklist 9.2 shows which areas and/or characteristic values of wastewater treatment
facilities have to be taken into consideration. They serve as working document for
discussions between waterworks and wastewater facility operators.
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Address
Focal point
Telephone
Fax
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Type of sludge: (for example residue from flocculation using iron compounds)
pH value
Organic matter % DR
(note: organic matter = 2 x TOC)
comp. Chap. 4, Table 1)
Active carbon % DR
Previous disposal routes of the sludge or the water containing the sludge
Are changes to the sludge concerned possible by modifying the production process, the
employment of operational material etc.?
(comp. Chap. 5)
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Details on the discharge/on the transport of the residual matter from the
waterworks
Wastewater examinations:
• Discontinuous examinations:
− Own investigations N°. per year
• Continuous examinations:
− Registration continuous? Yes/no
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Operator data
Name/Firm's name
Address
Focal point
Telephone
Fax
Sewer
Pumping station/elevator
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Address
Focal point
Telephone
Fax
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Sewage sludge
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10 Summary Assessment
Residual matter, which has to be disposed of, is produced with water processing. A
possibility for disposal is provided by the feeding or introduction into wastewater facilities.
As soon as these residues are fed or introduced into the wastewater facility under
regulations according to water law, they are disposed of as wastewater.
The residual matter can also be introduced as waste for utilisation in wastewater
facilities.
The disposal of the residual matter requires, in every case of application, an individual
case examination according to technical, legal and economic aspects. Depending on the
source of the residual matter it can provide advantages for operational management
which cannot, in every case, be valued in terms of money. Furthermore, the existing
infrastructure of a wastewater facility can be used for disposal.
In the past the effect of waterworks residual matter, in particular iron sludge, has been
verified in several investigations with the deliberate discharge or introduction into
wastewater facilities. To be stressed are the reduction of the sulphide contents in the
wastewater and/or sewage sludge and the thus associated improvements in the sewer
network and the biogas quality. Further, the adsorption capacity and the positive effect
with precipitation of wastewater and sewage sludge treatment can be applied to
advantage.
The amounts of waterworks residual matter, with the same supply and disposal area, are
small in comparison with the flows of wastewater and the yield of sewage sludge. With
this background, in the normal case, only slight effects on the disposal of wastewater are
to be expected which can be verified in the individual application case.
Residual matter from water processing can therefore be fed or introduced into
wastewater facilities if this is technically and legally possible and is also economically
justifiable. Otherwise it is to be disposed of as waste.
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11 Literature [Translator's note: known translations are given as normal text. Otherwise a courtesy
translation of the title of the publication is given in square brackets]
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[10] S. Benzinger, E. Dammann, K. Wichmann
Nutzung von Eisenhydroxidschlamm aus der Grundwasseraufbereitung von kommunalen
Abwasseranlagen [Use of iron hydroxide sludge from the processing of groundwater by municipal
sewage treatment plants]
Korrespondenz Abwasser, 43 (1996), No. 9, p. 1552-1560
[11] R. Knutzen, S. Benzinger, E. Dammann
Beseitigung von Sulfidproblemen in Abwasserkanälen durch Eisenhydroxidschlamm [Removal of
the sulphide problem in sewers using iron hydroxide sludge]
Entsorgungspraxis Vol. 5. 1997
[12] S. Schneider
Rückstände aus der Trinkwasseraufbereitung in Deutschland: Mengen, Zusammensetzung und
Entsorgungswege [Residual matter from the processing of drinking water in Germany: quantities,
composition and disposal routes]
Final report, ESWE-Institut, Wiesbaden, September 1996
[13] EWC-Ordinance (EWCO)
Ordinance on the introduction of the European Waste Catalogue dated 13 September 1996
(Notified in Germany in BGBl. I, p. 1428)
[14] ATV-Arbeitsbericht [ATV Report]
Gewinnung, Aufbereitung und Verwertung von Biogas
[Production, processing and utilisation of biogas]
Korrespondenz Abwasser, 41 (1994), No. 8
[15] ATV Standards Wastewater - Waste, ATV Advisory Leaflet ATV-M 363
Herkunft, Aufbereitung und Verwertung von Biogas [Source processing and utilisation of biogas]
Geplante Fertigstellung 2000, GFA, D-53773 Hennef
[16] ATV-Arbeitsbericht der ad hoc-Arbeitsgruppe "Rechtliche Abgrenzungsfragen Abwasser/Abfall"
mit Teilnahme des DVGW
Entsorgung von Wasserwerksrückständen in kommunalen Abwasseranlagen - wasserrechtliche
und abfallrechtliche Zulässigkeitsvoraussetzungen [ATV Report by the ad hoc Working Group
"Legal delimitation questions on wastewater/waste" with the participation of DVGW
Disposal of waterworks residues in municipal wastewater facilities - prerequisites for authorisation
under water and waste law]
Korrespondenz Abwasser No. 9. (1998), p. 1717-1722
[17] P. Nisipeanu, E. Dammann, W. Such
Rechtliche Aspekte der Entsorgung von Wasserwerksrückständen in kommunalen
Abwasseranlagen [Legal aspects of the disposal of waterworks residues in municipal wastewater
facilities]
gwf Wasser/Abwasser, No. 10 (1998), p. 646-649
[18] ATV-Regelwerk Abwasser - Abfall, Arbeitsblatt ATV-A 202
Verfahren zur Elimination von Phosphor aus Abwasser [ATV Standards Wastewater - Waste,
ATV Standard ATV-A 202
Procedures for the Elimination of Phosphorus from Wastewater]
October 1992, GFA, D-53773 Hennef
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