The document summarizes the evolution of sewage treatment technology in Malaysia from primitive to modern systems. It describes early methods like pour flush concepts and individual septic tanks used from 1950-1960s. Imhoff tanks were introduced from 1970-1990s providing partial treatment. Modern water treatment plants now use tertiary treatment with mechanical systems and combined sewers to fully treat sewage since 2000s. Factors like health issues, river pollution and environmental concerns drove changes to sewage treatment in Malaysia over time. The document also differentiates between combined and separated sewer piping systems.
1. EVOLUTIONS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT
TECHNOLOGY FROM PRIMITIVE METHOD
TO MODERN SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN
MALAYSIA
EXPLANATION OF COMBINED
SEWER AND SEPARATED SEWER
2. PRESENTATION OUTCOMES
i) HISTORY OF SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA
ii) EVOLUTIONS OF THE TREATMENT METHOD
iii) FACTORS AFFECTING THE EVOLUTIONS OF
TREATMENT SEWERAGE SYSTEM
iv) DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE COMBINED AND
SEPARATED SEWER PIPING SYSTEM
3. INTRODUCTION
Populations nowadays keep on increase which puts some pressure to
the environment and threatening the sources of fresh water supplies
which needed a proper management of waste discharge.
For the past 1900s, there has been a steady evolution of sewage
treatment plants into today’s modern sewerage treatment system
which producing high quality effluent, which can safely be
discharged towards the environment and community.
Therefore, the development of the sewage treatment technology need
to be more proactive and the sustainability of the treatment system
need to be maintained or improvised for a better future towards the
environment.
5. PRIMARY/PRIMITIVE TREATMENT (1950-1960s)
In the early days in Malaysia, people have no concern and aware on
the waste discharge which might lead to a serious problem such as
health issues.
Due to lack of technology development at that time, people tend to
discharge their waste directly into the stream or built a containment
area such as the pour flush concept.
The pour flush concept was a hole like ‘individual septic tank’ being
digging down beneath the soil layer at certain depth and all the waste
discharged accumulated inside.
Then at certain time or the storage has reach its maximum capacity,
the process of desludging begins.
10. PARTIAL/SECONDARY TREATMENT (1970-1990s)
Imhoff tank being introduced which no usage of mechanical
equipment to maintain and operation consists of removing scum
and even distribution of sludge.
Comprises two chambers positioned one above the other. The upper
part occurring sedimentation whereby solids passing through an
opening into the lower part and settled down by forming sludge.
The sludge then undergoes anaerobic digestion thus gases from the
lower chamber discharged to the air while scum was accumulated in
the upper tank.
11. Liquid effluent from sedimentation tank infiltrates through a rock bed
thus the sedimentation tank need to be desludged regularly.
Treated effluent was collected and being discharged into nearby
drain.
However, IT provide limited treatment sewage and not suitable for a
long-term services.
The effluent from IT will rapidly deteriorate if the tank were not
maintained properly.
16. TERTIARY TREATMENT (2000s-present)
Treatment that being used nowadays and consist of mechanical
system.
A complete steps and procedure of handling sewage disposal such as
screening, sedimentation and biological treatment.
The sewer being connected by combine sewer from all the disposal
area towards the sewage treatment plants nearby.
21. COMBINED SEWER
Sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic
sewage and industrial wastewater in the conduit/piping.
Transport all the wastewater to a sewage treatment plant where to
be treated and being discharged.
23. SEPARATED SEWER
Sanitary sewer underground carriage system specifically for
transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings through
pipes to treatment facilities or disposal.
