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IS 13628 : 1993Sewage treatment plants - Guidelines for selection of process

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EN 12255 series · DWA-A 131E · US EPA 40 CFR Part 133
CurrentFrequently UsedGuidelinesBIMEnvironmental Engineering · Environmental and Sanitation
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OverviewValues7InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 13628:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for sewage treatment plants - guidelines for selection of process. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for selecting an appropriate process for sewage treatment plants. It outlines key factors like influent characteristics, desired effluent quality, land availability, and cost-effectiveness, while describing various common treatment systems to aid decision-making for engineers.

Offers guidelines for selecting appropriate sewage treatment processes based on various factors like influent characteristics, effluent quality requirements, and cost.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Frequently Used
Domain
Environmental Engineering — Environmental and Sanitation
Type
Guidelines
International equivalents
EN 12255 series · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeDWA-A 131E:2016 · DWA (German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste), GermanyUS EPA 40 CFR Part 133 · United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), USAISO 24521:2016 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Typically used with
IS 3306IS 2296IS 3025
Also on InfraLens for IS 13628
7Key values4Tables4FAQs

BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.

Practical Notes
! While the code provides a good framework, always consider newer technologies not covered in this 1993 edition, such as MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) and SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor).
! The final selection should be based on a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA), including capital, operational, and maintenance costs, not just initial investment.
! Always check the latest and most stringent requirements from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) as they supersede the general standards mentioned.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Influent Sewage CharacteristicsCl. 5Effluent Quality RequirementsCl. 6Factors for Selection of Treatment ProcessCl. 6.2Comparison of AlternativesAnnex A - Description of Common Treatment Systems
Pulled from IS 13628:1993. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
sewagesludgewastewater

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 12255 seriesCEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Wastewater treatment plants
This multi-part standard covers the design and construction principles of various treatment units, which collectively inform process selection.
DWA-A 131E:2016DWA (German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste), Germany
MediumCurrent
Dimensioning of Single-Stage Activated Sludge Plants
Provides detailed design rules for activated sludge systems, a core secondary treatment process discussed in the IS code.
US EPA 40 CFR Part 133United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), USA
MediumCurrent
Secondary Treatment Regulation
This regulation defines the minimum effluent quality for municipal STPs, which is the primary driver for process selection, a key goal of IS 13628.
ISO 24521:2016ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
LowCurrent
Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services — Guidelines for the management of basic on-site domestic wastewater services
Focuses on decentralized and on-site systems, whereas IS 13628 primarily addresses centralized municipal sewage treatment plants.
Key Differences
≠IS 13628:1993 is a single, comprehensive guideline, whereas the European equivalent (EN 12255) is a detailed multi-part series with separate standards for each treatment unit (e.g., primary settlement, activated sludge).
≠International standards like those from the EU (e.g., Directive 91/271/EEC) and US EPA place strong emphasis on nutrient (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) removal, which is not a primary focus in the general effluent standards of the 1993 Indian code.
≠IS 13628 is more prescriptive, providing typical design values and expected efficiencies. Modern international standards tend to be more performance-based, specifying the final effluent quality and allowing more flexibility in technology selection and design.
≠The Indian standard includes guidelines for low-cost, natural treatment systems like stabilization ponds, reflecting suitability for Indian climatic and economic conditions, which are less prominent in European standards like DWA or EN.
≠Modern international standards place a greater emphasis on energy efficiency, resource recovery (biogas, phosphorus), and advanced sludge management strategies compared to the guidance in the 1993 IS code.
Key Similarities
≈All standards recognize the same fundamental process train: preliminary treatment (screening, grit removal), primary treatment (sedimentation), and secondary treatment (biological processes).
≈The basis for process selection is common across all standards, driven by influent wastewater characteristics, required effluent quality, land availability, and economic considerations (capital and operational costs).
≈The core secondary treatment technologies, such as the Activated Sludge Process (ASP) and Trickling Filters, are described and considered as standard treatment options in both IS 13628 and international counterparts.
≈The overarching goal of all standards is the protection of public health and the receiving water body's environment by ensuring adequate treatment of sewage before disposal.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Effluent BOD for Inland Surface Water Discharge≤ 20 mg/L≤ 25 mg/L (often stricter based on receiving water sensitivity)EU Directive 91/271/EEC
Effluent TSS for Inland Surface Water Discharge≤ 30 mg/L≤ 35 mg/L (often stricter, e.g., 25 mg/L)EU Directive 91/271/EEC
Effluent Total Nitrogen (TN) for Sensitive AreasNot specified for general discharge (50 mg/L for irrigation)≤ 10 or 15 mg/L (annual mean)EU Directive 91/271/EEC
Effluent Total Phosphorus (TP) for Sensitive AreasNot specified≤ 1 or 2 mg/L (annual mean)EU Directive 91/271/EEC
BOD Removal in Primary Sedimentation25-40%25-40%EN 12255-4:2002
F/M Ratio (Conventional Activated Sludge)0.2 - 0.4 kg BOD / kg MLSS.day0.05 - 0.15 kg BOD / kg MLSS.day (for low-loaded plants with nutrient removal)DWA-A 131E:2016
HRT in Primary Clarifier2.0 - 2.5 hours1.5 - 2.5 hours (at average dry weather flow)EN 12255-4:2002
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values7

Quick Reference Values
Effluent BOD for discharge to inland surface water< 30 mg/l
Effluent TSS for discharge to inland surface water< 100 mg/l
Typical land requirement for Activated Sludge Process (ASP)0.4 - 0.6 ha/MLD
Typical land requirement for Oxidation Ponds3 - 5 ha/MLD
BOD removal efficiency of Activated Sludge Process85-95%
BOD removal efficiency of Oxidation Ditch90-98%
Typical hydraulic retention time (HRT) for ASP6-8 hours

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - General Standards for Discharge of Environmental Pollutants (as per EPA 1986)
Table A.1 - Typical Design Parameters for Activated Sludge Process
Table A.2 - Typical Design Parameters for Trickling Filters
Table A.4 - Typical Design Parameters for Oxidation Ponds
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Influent Sewage Characteristics
Clause 5 - Effluent Quality Requirements
Clause 6 - Factors for Selection of Treatment Process
Clause 6.2 - Comparison of Alternatives
Annex A - Description of Common Treatment Systems

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 3306:2018Pig Iron — Specification
→
IS 2296:2001Temperature Measurement in Industry
→
IS 3025:1991Specification for Water for Making Concrete
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the main purpose of this code?+
To guide engineers in selecting the most suitable sewage treatment process based on site-specific conditions, influent/effluent characteristics, and economic factors (Clause 1).
What are the primary factors for selecting a treatment process?+
Influent sewage characteristics, effluent quality requirements, environmental impact, land availability, energy requirements, and capital/O&M costs (Clause 6).
Does this code recommend a single best treatment method?+
No, it describes multiple conventional processes (like Activated Sludge, Trickling Filters, Oxidation Ponds) and provides a framework for choosing the most appropriate one for a given situation (Annex A).
Which process is suitable if land availability is a major constraint?+
Processes with a smaller footprint like the Activated Sludge Process (ASP) are generally preferred over land-intensive options like Oxidation Ponds (Clause 6.2.2).

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