The University Area Joint Authority Odor Control Study – How-To Guide

The control of odors at wastewater treatment plants has historically received little attention; however, in recent years, as development encroaches on treatment facility sites, odor control has become a principal design consideration when upgrading existing facilities or making process changes. In odor control, the challenge is to eliminate nuisance odor complaints, which can be accomplished by reducing the odor generating potential or treating specific odorant compounds at the source. A thorough understanding of the current odor emission situation is necessary to focus mitigation efforts and select/size odor control technologies. A haphazard reactionary odor control response runs the risk of missing significant sources, selection of poorly matched treatment technology for the odorants involved, and under (or over) sizing treatment units. These pitfalls can lead to ineffective mitigation efforts and inefficient use of limited financial resources, as off-site nuisance odor problems persist. This paper presents a carefully planned logical strategy for investigation of off-site nuisance odor problems and focused mitigation practices. The recommended strategy is illustrated by example through presentation of results for an odor control study (OCS) performed for the Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility (SCPCF) owned and operated by the University Area Joint Authority in Centre County, Pennsylvania. The data collection and interpretation portions of the OCS for the SCPCF have been completed as of this writing. Investigation of alternative odor control technologies and cost analyses (capital and O&M) remain to be completed. The authors plan to develop a written follow-up piece in the near future providing results for these last critical Tasks outlined in the OCS, which by necessity is a time-consuming process.