Abstract

Water from natural sources, i.e., surface or ground water will contain certain impurities, either in
particulate or dissolved form. A listing of the concentration of these impurities is known as water quality
characteristics. This water is to be used for beneficial purposes like domestic, agricultural or industrial
use. Maximum acceptable quantities of impurities in water for various beneficial uses are specified. A
listing of these values are known as water quality standards (See DAO No. 34). A comparison of the
water quality characteristics and standards enables one to determine the impurities in the water whose
concentration is unacceptably high for a particular beneficial use. The purpose of water treatment is to
remove these impurities, such that the water conforms to the standards, and hence is suitable for the
designated beneficial use. Unit processes are devices/machines/reactors designated to remove one or more
of these impurities during water treatment. Several such unit processes put together constitute a process
train, which will remove the required impurities, and thus make water conform to the water quality
standards.
During beneficial use of water, impurities are added to it, and water is thus converted to
wastewater. Wastewater may be disposed to land or water bodies or reused or recycled. Wastewater
disposal or reuse/recycling standards are available. In case the concentrations of impurities in wastewater,
i.e., wastewater characteristics (See DAO No. 35) are incompatible with the prevailing standards,
wastewater treatment is required. As with water treatment, suitable process train must be provided for this
purpose to reduce the concentration of the objectionable impurities.
The proposed project in this thesis deals with development of a low-cost wastewater treatment
facility using a Hybrid Design System which practically treat wastewater from households, public
markets, public restrooms, prepared food stalls (caridenria) and other nearby wastewater sources. This
innovation will lessen the wastewater product discharged from nearby creeks and rivers, meet the effluent
standard set by DENR Administrative Order 35 (DAO 35) and most importantly decrease the chance of
contamination of the groundwater supply where the locals use it as their source of water.
Having a combination of anaerobic and aerobic treatment plus a filtration media and a water
recycling system that will allow reuse of treated effluent for other practical use in the community in
demand basis. Thus it will save more water because instead of using the water, supplied by the local water
district the recycled water can be used in cleaning the public restrooms to ensure the cleanliness of the
facilities.