MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools

Sewage Characteristics & Flow Generation

Chapter 2: Sewage Characteristics and Flow

Generation
The planning of sewage infrastructure must be based on the prescribed sewage influent
quality standards, sewage generation rates per person and diaerent premises, and peak
flow factor. Adhering to these standards will lead to the proper planning of sewerage
infrastructure to eaectively manage discharges, minimise environmental impact, and
support water resource preservation. Additionally, these STP design requirements are
aimed at meeting the ealuent quality standards and treating sewage to the specified
parameters.

2.1. Influent Design Value

The parameters of raw sewage influent used in designing treatment processes

are as follows:

1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): A measure of the oxygen demand

exerted by the readily bio-oxidisable organic material in a sewage sample
over a specified period.

2. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): A measure of the oxygen equivalent

required to chemically oxidise all organic material in a sewage sample. It
provides a measure of total organic material present in the sewage.

3. Ammoniacal Nitrogen (AMN): The concentration of nitrogen present in a

sewage sample in the form of ammonia and ammonium ions.

4. Oil and Grease (O&G): Organic matter, primarily edible oils and fatty
substances of animal or vegetable origin present in a sewage sample.

5. Suspended Solids (SS): Solid particles that are not dissolved and remain
suspended in a sewage sample. These particles can consist of both organic
and inorganic matter.

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 MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools
Sewage Characteristics & Flow Generation

6. Total Nitrogen (TN): The sum of all nitrogen forms present in a sewage
sample, including ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite and organic
nitrogen compounds.

Table 2-1 demonstrates the design influent values for raw sewage to be adopted
in designing treatment processes. Meanwhile, the ealuent discharge standards
are subject to the Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations under the
Environmental Quality Act 1974 or as prescribed by the Department of
Environment in the Environmental Impact Assessment report.

The influent quality values in Table 2-1 were established by analysing a series of
sampling and testing of raw sewage in several STPs, accounting for these factors:

1. Variation in STP catchment profiles.

2. Diaerent states.
3. High and low flows.
4. Size of the STPs.

The raw sewage influent quality to be used as design values is segmented into
bands based on the STP catchment profiles. A catchment profile with significant
sewage volume is characteristic of non-residential premises with commercial
activities, such as food and beverages sectors. This catchment tends to have
higher pollutant concentrations. Larger capacity STPs have greater dilution
capability than smaller capacity counterparts and, thus, can better cope with
mixed catchment profiles.

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Sewage Characteristics & Flow Generation

Table 2-1: Sewage Influent Quality Standards

Influent Design Value

Pollutant Class 1 & 2 Class 3 Class 4
Parameters (150−5,000 PE) (5,001−20,000 PE) (>20,000 PE)
Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Band 5
Biological Oxygen
200 250 200 500 200
Demand (BOD5)
Chemical Oxygen
400 500 400 1,000 400
Demand (COD)
Ammoniacal
40 40 40 40 40
Nitrogen (AMN)
Oil and Grease
50 50 50 100 50
(O&G)
Suspended Solids
150 150 150 300 150
(SS)

Total Nitrogen (TN) 50 50 50 50 50

Note: All values are expressed in mg/l. PE: population equivalent.

The classification of bands is based on the proportion of population equivalent

(PE) from residential premises in the ultimate development. The strength of raw
sewage from non-domestic premises, such as commercial establishments, is
typically higher than residential areas.

The definition of bands outlined in Table 2-1 is as follows:

Band 1: Applies to Class 1 or 2 STPs where more than 70% of the total
development PE are from residential premises.
Band 2: Applies to Class 1 and 2 STPs other than those specified in Band 1
(total development PE from residential premises are less than 70%)
Band 3: Applies to Class 3 STPs where more than 35% of the total
development PE are from residential premises.
Band 4: Applies to Class 3 STPs other than those specified in Band 3 (total
development PE from residential premises are less than 35%).
Band 5: Applies to Class 4 STPs.

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Sewage Characteristics & Flow Generation

The selection of design influent value involves two (2) steps:

Step 1: Determine the ultimate design PE for the STP (not based on the STP
modules) to determine the class, as shown in Table 2-2.

Table 2-2: STP Classification Based on the PE Range

PE Range Class

150 to 1,000 Class 1

1,001 to 5,000 Class 2

5,001 to 20,000 Class 3

>20,000 Class 4

Step 2: Calculate the PE percentage from residential units over the ultimate
development PE that will be connected to the STP. The selection of the band is
based on the percentage established in Table 2-3.

Table 2-3: Selection of Influent Design Band

Class % Residential PE Band

Class 1 & 2 ≥70% Band 1

Class 1 & 2 <70% Band 2

Class 3 ≥35% Band 3

Class 3 <35% Band 4

Class 4 All Band 5

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Sewage Characteristics & Flow Generation

2.2. Sewage Generation Rate

The daily volume of sewage generated per person is set at 210 litres/person/day.
The sewage generation rate will be used to determine the required capacity of
the sewerage infrastructure.

The sewage generation rate was established by analysing metered water

consumption data of residential accounts between 2 to 5 years, which includes:

1. State-based metred consumptions.

2. Landed and high-rise properties.
3. High-end and low-cost properties.

2.3. Peak Flow

Peak flow refers to the maximum flow rate that may occur during a given day,
accounting for daily flow fluctuations as well as additional contributions from
infiltration, inflow, and other factors. This value is typically calculated by applying
a peak factor (a multiplier) to the average flow, providing an estimate of the
maximum expected flow rate. The peak factor shall be estimated using the
following formula:

!0 32.11
!"#$ &#'()* = ,. . ×
1222

Where PE = estimated population equivalent

Designing specific parts of treatment plants, as well as determining the diameter

and gradients of sewers and force mains, is influenced by peak flows to ensure
adequate capacity and eaective flow conveyance.

The peak flow factor was derived from the influent flow measurements
conducted over 90 days.

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 Chapter 3
Population
Equivalent
Contribution
 MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools
PE Contribution

Chapter 3: Population Equivalent Contribution

Population Equivalent (PE) tabulation is essential to ascertain sewage flow from various
types of buildings and planning and designing sewerage infrastructures. This information
aims to standardise the approach in calculating PE estimation, which will be used to
determine the volume of sewage generated. Table 3-1 outlines the PE tabulation by the
type of establishments.

Table 3-1: PE for Various Premises/Establishments

Type Of Premises/Establishment Population Equivalent (PE)

Residential
4 PE per residential units

Residential Residential units smaller than 700 sq. ft:

≤ 450 sq. ft: 2 PE
451 to 699 sq. ft: 3 PE

Industrial

Factories (excluding process water) 0.3 PE per staff

Institutions

Hospital with in-patient facilities:

5 PE per bed
Hospitals
Hospitals without in-patient facilities:
3 PE per 100 m2
Day School/Institutions:
0.2 PE per student
Fully Residential:
Schools/ Educational Institutions 1 PE per student
Partial Residential:
1 PE per residential student and
0.2 PE per non-residential student

Aged Care/Nursing Home/Rehab Care 1 PE per bed

Workers Quarters/Dormitory/
Construction Site (Specifically 1 PE per bed
Planned/Designated)

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MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools
PE Contribution
PE Contribution

Type Of Premises/Establishment Population Equivalent (PE)

Mosque/Church/Temple 0.2 PE per person

Prison 1 PE per person

Public Utility Works: TNB substations,

Water Treatment Plant, Sewage 15 PE per water closet
Treatment Plant (STP)

Commercial

With dining & laundry facilities:

4 PE per room
Hotel
Without dining & laundry facilities:
3 PE per room
Wet Type:
3 PE per stall
Market
Dry Type:
1 PE per stall

Clinic 3 PE per 100m2 gross area

With facilities (restaurant, mart, others):

Petrol Kiosks/Service Stations/Bus
25 PE per water closet
Terminals/Taxi Terminal/Train
Terminals and similar transportation
Without facilities:
hubs
15 PE per water closet

Warehouse 15 PE per water closet

Stadium 0.2 PE per person

Swimming Pool/Sports Complex 0.5 PE per person

Public Toilet 15 PE per water closet

With facilities:
25 PE per water closet
Camp Site
Without facilities:
15 PE per water closet

RV Camp Site 35 PE per water closet

Airport 0.2 PE per passenger

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 Chapter 4
Siting and Buffer
Zone Requirements
 MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools
MSIG V1 Planning Principle and Tools
PE Contribution
PE Contribution

Type Of Premises/Establishment Population Equivalent (PE)

0.3 PE per employee

Laundry 10 PE per machine

With facilities (restaurant, mart, others):

25 PE per water closet
Golf Course
Without facilities:
15 PE per water closet
With rest and relaxation (R & R) facilities:
35 PE per water closet
Highway
Lay-by:
15 PE per water closet
Others (Offices, Shopping Complex,
Entertainment/Recreational Centres, 3 PE per 100m2 gross area
Restaurants, Cafeteria, Theatres)

The submitting person shall allocate a higher PE to the intended premises or

establishments if they are anticipated to generate a higher PE contribution.

Note:

1. The water closet (WC) for people with disabilities (OKU) shall not be accounted for in
the PE calculation.
2. If the premises or establishments have additional use besides their primary purpose
(a religious establishment with workers’ quarters and classes), these secondary
components must be considered in the PE calculation.
3. If the premises or establishments to be developed are not listed in Table 3-1, select
the closest description to the premises or establishments in the table and use the
value to calculate the PE contribution.
4. Facilities provided only for the residents’ use in residential premises or
establishments shall not be counted in the PE calculation.
5. The project owner or consultant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the PE
calculation or provision if the development needs exceed the PE stated in Table 3-1.

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