Summary: United States “sewer solids” settling characterization methods, results, uses and perspective

This paper summarizes recent U.S. experience involving “sewer solids” settling experiments. Over the last 15 years many such characterizations have been conducted during the design of combined sewer overflow (CSO) and stormwater high rate treatment facilities. Since the early 1980s there has been little organized U.S. research to summarize results and settling column methods used. This information is organized and solids settling curves for different waste types are presented noting settling column method used. Median settling velocities for each waste type are given.