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G U I D E
T E A C H E R S
Providing fresh clean water for all our needs is only part of the water
management story. The more clean water we use, the more dirty water is
produced. Severn Trent treats more than 2,700 megalitres of dirty, waste
water (sewage) every day. This includes the domestic sewage of more than
eight million people, industrial and commercial waste, and large amounts
of rainwater in wet weather.
Sludge
Sludge can be defined as the solid waste which has settled out of the sewage
in the sedimentation, humus and final settling tanks. Severn Trents sewage
works produce 250,000 tonnes of sludge every year and use several methods
of disposal:
G U I D E
1. Screening
Metal screens sieve out large objects such as wood, cans and plastics.
2. Grit and Sand Channels
The sewage then flows along wide, deep channels where grit and sand sink
to the bottom.
3. Sedimentation Tank
Here, solid particles in the sewage settle at the bottom of the tank to form
a thick sludge.
4. Filtration
Biological Filter
The settled sewage is then sprinkled onto large circular beds, about two
metres deep, filled with stones or clinker. Biological filtration is based on
the principle that where enough air is present cultures of bacteria will
form. Millions of bacteria and other tiny creatures live on the stones and
feed on the organic material in the sewage, converting it into carbon
dioxide, water and nitrogen compounds. They literally eat the sewage,
removing harmful waste. This biological activity produces a humus
sludge which settles out in special humus tanks.
Activated Sludge
In this alternative to biological filtration, activated sludge containing
bacteria is mixed with the settled sewage in an aeration tank. The air the
bacteria need is provided by water in the tank.
5. Final Settling Tank
Small and fine particles settle out leaving the cleaned water, or effluent, to
flow back into rivers and streams.
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T E A C H E R S '
G U I D E
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