SYSTEMATIC ODOR CONTROL MASTER PLAN FOR A COMPLEX WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM – L.A.'s EXPERIENCE

The City of Los Angeles has been fighting sewer odors since it first installed an outfall sewer in the 1920s. As part of the effort to improve its odor control program, the City created a Sewer Odor Control Master Plan to help guide the odor control effort. The ultimate purpose of the odor control program and therefore, the Master Plan is to reduce sewer odors and odor complaints. To achieve this, it is necessary to understand the entire collection system in relation to hydrogen sulfide generation and the dynamics of air flow within sewers.To create the Master Plan, the City studied odor complaint patterns and flow data, reviewed sewer plans for problematic design features, and studied sewer gas pressures in order to identify potential problem areas. The City also evaluated the existing odor control efforts and recommend improvements to procedures. Along with this analysis, the City used multiple methods of public involvement and outreach to gain additional information. This also helps the City keep the public informed of our odor control program and helps our efforts to quickly respond to complaints.The end result was an Odor Control Master Plan created from a thorough analysis of the odor control problem, which was then used as an informative reference tool as well as a guide to an improved odor control program. This Master Plan will continue to be updated to remain current with the ever-changing waste water collection system.