The ATV-DVWK-A 131E.pdf document is much more than a file; it is a cornerstone of modern wastewater engineering. Its detailed, scientific approach to designing single-stage activated sludge plants has influenced water quality protection policies and engineering practices around the globe. While the document itself has evolved, first into DWA-A 131 and then into DWA-A 131E , the core principles it established—from the revolutionary shift to COD-based design to the precise dimensioning of aeration tanks and secondary clarifiers—continue to guide engineers in building efficient and effective treatment plants.
The standard is structured to guide a designer through the entire dimensioning process. It includes:
For the most up-to-date version, the DWA's official shop is the primary source:
ATV-DVWK-A 131E is the English-language version of a core technical rule published in May 2000 by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA). Its full title is . The standard provides a scientifically validated method for calculating and designing the key components of the activated sludge process, one of the most common biological methods for treating municipal wastewater. It covers the entire design procedure, including the description of the process, the design bases, the calculation of sludge mass, and the dimensioning of the aeration tank and secondary clarifier . Atv Dvwk A 131 E.pdf
Design parameters for aeration tanks, including volume and sludge age.
(carbon) removal to nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus), addressing modern environmental standards. Key Components of the Standard
: Sized for a short sludge age, typically 4 to 5 days . The ATV-DVWK-A 131E
The aeration tank volume is determined by the total daily BOD load ( Bd,BODcap B sub d comma cap B cap O cap D end-sub
Guidelines on anoxic volume sizing for denitrification based on BOD/N ratios and peak factors. 2. Secondary Settling Tank (Clarifier) Design Surface Area ( ASTcap A sub cap S cap T end-sub
The standard is available for purchase and download through the DWA Shop or can be accessed on document sharing platforms like Scribd . Core Purpose and Application The standard is structured to guide a designer
The reactor sizing process focuses heavily on maintaining the ideal based on ambient temperature and treatment goals: GERMAN ATV-DVWK - AquaEnergy Expo Knowledge Hub
Unlike older methods that rely solely on Biochemical Oxygen Demand ( BOD5cap B cap O cap D sub 5
(Density Current & Storage Zone) : Temporarily stores sludge during peak wet-weather hydraulic flows.
) and the target level of treatment (carbon removal vs. nutrient removal).