9 Types Of Sewers and 6 Types of Sewer Pipes

9 Types Of Sewers

The following 9 types of sewer are classified according to their place of use:

According to the place of use, the sewer is classified as follows:

  • Main Sewer.
  • Branch or sub-main Sewer.
  • Lateral Sewer.
  • Combined Sewer.
  • Depressed Sewer.
  • Intercepting Sewer.
  • Outfall Sewer.
  • Trunk Sewer.
  • Relief or Overflow Sewer.

1) Main Sewer

The sewer which obtains its discharge from a few branches or sub-main sewers is termed the main sewer.

2) Branch or sub-main Sewer

The sewer which obtains its discharge from a few laterals, and delivers it to the main sewer is termed a branch or sub-main sewer. 

3) Lateral Sewer

The sewer which obtains its discharge directly from buildings is known as a lateral sewer. 

4) Combined Sewer

The sewer which carries sewage and stormwater is known as a combined sewer

5) Depressed Sewer

When an obstruction is met, the sewer is constructed lower than the adjacent sections to overcome the obstruction. Such a section of the sewer is termed depressed sewer.

6) Intercepting Sewer

The sewer which obtains the discharge from a number of main or outfall sewers and carries the same to the point of treatment and disposal is termed an intercepting sewer. Read Also: Shapes of Sewer.

7) Outfall Sewer 

The length of the main or trunk sewer between the connection of the lowest branch and the final point of disposal is termed an outfall sewer.

8) Trunk Sewer

The sewer which obtains its discharge from two or more main sewers is known as a trunk sewer. 

9) Relief or Overflow Sewer

The sewer which carries the excess discharge from an existing sewer is known as a relief or overflow sewer. 

Types of Sewer Pipes

Following are the different types of sewer pipes:

  • Asbestos cement sewer.
  • Brick sewer.
  • Cast Iron sewer.
  • Cement concrete sewer.
  • Plastic sewer.
  • Stoneware sewer.
  • Corrugated iron sewer.
  • Steel sewer.
  • Wood sewer.
  • Lead sewer.

1) Asbestos Cement Sewer

These are manufactured from a mixture of cement and asbestos fibers. These pipes are normally available in sizes from 5 cm to 90 cm in diameter and 4 in length. These pipes are suitable for domestic sanitary fittings. 

2) Brick Sewer (Masonry Sewer)

Bricks are used for constructing large-size sewers. These sewers are plastered outside and lined inside with stoneware or ceramic blocks. 

These sewers are used at places where the sewers are required to be constructed at the site. They are also preferred for constructing large-sized combined sewers or for the stormwater drain. The sewer section is always rectangular in section.

3) Cast Iron Sewer 

The Cast iron sewer possesses high strength and durability. These are highly resistant to corrosion and have a long life. But these are very heavy and difficult to handle. These sewers are used under the following condition:

1. When the sewage is conveyed under high pressure.
2. When the sewer line is to be laid in an exposed position or in suspension.
3. When sewers are to be laid below heavy traffic loads.

4) Cement Concrete Sewer

These pipes are manufactured using cement concrete with or without reinforcement. They may be pre-cast or cast-in-situ. The pre-cast R.C.C. pipes are known as Hume pipes. 

The diameter of plain cement concrete pipes may be up to 60 cm. The Hume pipes are available up to 250 cm in diameter. The length of the pipe varies from 1 to 3 m. These pipes are most suitable for combined sewer and stormwater Sewer. 

5) Plastic Sewer 

The plastic pipes are used for carrying industrial sewage and in domestic sanitary fittings. These are highly resistant to corrosion and light in weight. These pipes may be available in diameter varying from 5 cm to 15 cm and of longer length. 

6) Stoneware Sewer

These pipes are manufactured from vitrified clay by moulding and burning. The diameter of these pipes varies from 10 to 90 cm. These pipes are joined by a bell and spigot joint. 

These pipes offer high resistance to sulfide corrosion. Their interiors are very smooth and they are hydraulically very efficient. These pipes are widely used in domestic sanitary fittings and for laterals. 

Read Also:

Types Of Sewer pipe joints

Choice of The Separate Sewer System 

Partially Separate Sewer System And Their Advantages & Disadvantages

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