How to Reduce the Smell around the WWTP?

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Does anyone know a solution (applied) to combat the smell of air in the area of the wastewater treatment plant?

We used several solutions (including spray) but the results were not what we expected.

Are there substances that are introduced directly into the treatment process to prevent further odors?

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55 Answers

  4. Dear Daniela,

    The main reason of odor in the Treatment Plant and its vicinity is the emission of Hydrogen Sulfide which is already generated in the networks when sewage is flowing and collected in the sump of lifting & pumping stations. As the sewage arrives in STP this H2S emits out and create smell in STP as well as in the surroundings. So controlling the odor generation in these structures is highly essential.

    Odor generation is completely a biological process. It produces in the slime layer developed in the structures and in the pipes along with growth & propagation of SRB (Sulfur Reducing Bacteria) in the slime. Please read "Quality Assessment of Water & Wastewater" published by CRC press to understand the process of Odor Generation.

    The best process of controlling odor generation & emission shall be BIOLOGICAL. Secondly controlling process shall start from the inlet manhole of Lifting & Pumping Stations or in the network. Because we have to control the generation of odor not the emission only so it must be controlled at the ORIGIN.

    This can't be controlled by using any spray or any chemical based process because these will give only temporary relief.

    I have developed a technology ABR (Anoxic Bioremediation) Technology with Strict Anaerobic & Facultative Bacteria which give you permanent relief from your problem. you will get rid of odor within 2 hours from the treatment plant & within 24 hours from its vicinity. This is used in more than 100 projects in various countries with complete success. Best part of this technology is it will help to reduce the BOD, COD and Oil/grease levels in the Raw sewage. This treatment will take place when sewage is flowing in the pipes.

    If interested please write to me mamta.tomar@jmenviro.com or mamta.tomar@gmail.com I'll send complete details.

  5. Continuous spraying any oxidiser around wwtp would definetely help.
    Weapon of choice: potassium permanganate, sodium hypochlorite etc.

  6. Hi Anghel, 

    We offer a 100% plant extract based, organic certified product that is the solution to your odor problem. The product also offer added benefits to your plant and will improve your outflow quality. Masking the odour is never the solution. You can expect a drastic reduction in odour, phosphates, phosphorus, nitrates and ammonia if applied. You are welcome to email me on dave@makroorganics.com for detailed information.

    Regards

    Dave

  7. Dear All,

    Thanks a lot for your answers and recommendation.

    Best regards,

    Daniela Anghel

  8. The reason for smell is that the plant is not aerated enough, so if correctly build, WWTP does not produce any odours in the wastewater.  www.eecusa.com 

  9. The best way to reduce the odor in wastewater treatment is to use aeration. We can not to use any other method as it will have adverse effects on the air and water. 

    1 Comment

  12. I am not fully sure where your odor is created but, here is what we do in our collections system to keep odor and corrosion down all the way through the process. We add Neutrac SLS45 (Supplied by Univar) which is a lime slurry product. This adds alkalinity which aids in our treatment all the way through our process.  This product will settle out over time and added maintenance will be required.

  15. I am not sure what they use but in 1999 I visited Rikuzentakada, Japan leading a Rotary Group Study Exchange Team.  The Waste Water Plant was on the ocean front and there was absolutely no smell.  It was one of the prize features of the community.

    Additionally, I am putting together the ingredients for a Water Centric Sustainable (New) City and got a proposal from Suez Water for a waste system that dries the waste and cleans it so it can be used for organic gardens.

    1 Comment

    1. Ниачём но тут же отметилось своей секрецией.
      Мечтаю о том времени когда можно будет метать шпалы в репу.

  16. Anghel, strat identifyiung the section where the odour is produced, Normally in Domestic wastewater the main odiur comes from the sewage, especially if there is immission of air to remove oil, sands etc. The activated sludge basins, if the process is properly operated, has a typical pleasent  "humus smell" if there is always enough oxygen. Also secondary clarifiers do not have to rpoduce bad odours. The section that produces unpleasent smell is the sludge dewatering: this has to be confined and air removed and treated.

    If the plant is an Industrial WWTP, the bad odour apart ,the waste sludge line,  can be produced in the aeration tank where some compounds can be stripped: here you have to investigate as Matthews suggests.

  17. Anghel, the solution depends on a number of factors.  Do you have any H2S readings for the crude and at each stage through the treatment process?  Where is the treatment works?  Is the climate hot?  What flow or population does the works treat?  What processes does the works have and are they being operated properly e.g. is sludge removal being adequately carried out?

  18. Good day,

    The introduction of substances into the process is unlikely to effectively solve the problem of odors. An integrated approach is required for the solution.
    To purify the air and remove odors in the process, biofilters with biological preparations are used. For dehydrated sludges are used biopreparations or bioengineering technology for intensive processing into compost (if allowed) or solid fuel. The use of sprays is unacceptable.
    Specific offers for specific conditions - services are paid

  20. We target one of the worst smells.  Dissolved H2S is reduced to a benign state after we remove the hydrogen (zero-carbon!).  The "Knapp Process" simultaneously produces hydrogen 24/7 and reduces treatment costs by doing so.

    1 Comment

    1. Dissolved h2s is easy to be removed by potassium permanganete without implementing expensive humpty-dumpty enviromental-friendly solution. Why don't you kill yourself and leave the world as better place?

  21. Dear Anghel, If you could give me more details of your plant and what you are removing, i.e. sewage or industrial effluent, I will try to assist.  My email is don@lansonmicrobe.co.uk

  23. I propose an innovative method! Cleaning of any drains. Cleaning up the water of lakes and rivers!

    1 Comment

    1. @Андрей Лапочкин  do you have an English format please

      3 Comment replies

      2. Привет, Андрей!Я попытаюсь перевести, и если у меня возникнут вопросы, я попрошу разъяснений!

      3. Драгош, английский формат отсутствует! Скачайте эти документы. и переведите. По стокам, через ГУГЛ. Что будет не понятно пишите на почту!

  24. What sort of wwtp do you have?  What are the mal-odours which are occurring?

    There are several mal-odours associated with WWTP.  The most common ones are those associated with sulphur compounds.  These can range from Hydrogen sulphide, which is bad egg, through mercaptans, which is rotting cabbage, to rotten feet, carbon disulphide.  These occur under anaerobic conditions.  There are rotting fish odours, which are amines and these may be a mixture of yeast and or Pseudomonads.  Different parts of a wwtp are more likely to generate the odours.  So sludge processes are more likely to generate mal odours than an aerated system.  The other area would be poor mixing and aeration. 

    Without further information it is difficult to advise.

     

  25. Controlling odours is one of the most important - and yet most challenging - aspects of wastewater treatment. Foul odours are often a source of complaints, igniting objections from plant workers and neighbours alike.

    Type of odour

    Common odours lingering in and around treatment plants smell like rotten eggs, ammonia, or garlic, among other things. Sometimes the odor is described as earthy or organic.

    How to reduce odour. step by step

    There are two main types of technologies to treat odour: physical/chemical and biological. Physical/chemical technologies remove bad-smelling emissions by changing them with chemicals (chemical scrubbers), burning (incinerators) and by adsorbing the emissions with carbon. Biological technologies remove emissions using filter systems, made partially or completely from organic materials (bio filters), that pass the emissions upwards whilst simultaneously trickling a cleansing solution downwards (bio trickling filters). Other biological technologies aerate the sludge or sewage with fine bubbles (activated sludge diffusion). The first step in solving any odour problem is identifying the source. Odours could be coming from raw wastewater exposed to air at the influent pump station and primary clarifier stage. The ​only place you ​may find these ​are at the ​excess sludge ​treatment, ​where air ​circulation ​over a small ​activated ​carbon filter ​can do the job. ​

    Bio filtration and active carbon filtration require the most materials. Incineration requires the most energy because it uses natural gas. Bio filtration uses the largest amount of land, with a footprint seven times greater than that of bio trickling filters and 25 times that of chemical scrubbers. However, bio trickling filters have the highest water consumption at 0.052 litres per m3 of treated gas per hour.

    Two widely-applicable, emerging odour control technologies, known as activated sludge recycling (ASR) and oxidized ammonium recycling (OAR), have significant potential for WWTPs with low investment and operating costs. Although these technologies have been discussed in technical forums and applied at some WWTPs with promising results, they have not been explored using a systematic approach.

    1. Activated sludge recycling.
    2. oxidized ammonium recycling
    3. There are many odours control technologies in the marketplace and no single, universally ideal solution exists. Some plants use deodorizing misting systems to target volatilized odours compounds in the air. Others choose to add chemicals directly to the water that react with odours-causing compounds. Fine-tuning the treatment process itself is another odour control tactic, albeit a more complex one.
    4. Often the simplest approach to odour control is quite literally covering the problem. Many wastewater treatment plants choose to seal the source of odours - whether that’s a tank, basin, or lagoon - with an industrial-grade cover, thereby preventing the diffusion of odour vapours.
    5. “Capture and treat” technology is an even more powerful odour control solution. This involves capturing odours by containing them with a cover, and then withdrawing and treating the collected foul air. Once the air is conveyed in a ductwork system, it can be treated by a variety of technologies such as a bio filter, wet scrubber, carbon filter, proprietary media, etc.
    6. Covers not only reduce odour emissions but also help contain harmful greenhouse gases and minimize evaporation so that less water and chemicals need to be used in the wastewater treatment process.

     

    1 Comment

    1. Could you make fonts in your text a bit bigger? It is not legible enough.
      Dumbass.

  26. Bacterial treatments with off-the-shelf biological consortium products are the answer. I have written on this topic, defending the use of biological products (bioaugmentation products) in WWTPs, as a standard practice, in order to achieve and maintain optimum performance of operations.

     

    This may not be easy to do, since in many countries, including Brazil, there is strong resistance to using a biological product treatment regimen, often mistakenly viewed as a costly practice. Even sanitary authorities have reservations about the use of bioaugmentation products, and, naturally, chemical suppliers leverage this fact in order to plug their products, which are often less effective, have many undesirable side effects, and may be even more expensive.

     

    Furthermore, many companies offering such solutions tend to be very unprofessional in their claims and explanations, as some responses herein demonstrate, with untenable claims. This notwithstanding, the more professional suppliers will be able to offer products that are more effective, and, in some cases, quite specific for certain WWTP applications.

     

    It would be unfortunate if the poor practices of some less scrupulous suppliers resulted in discrediting effective solutions. In most cases, any WWTP will be able to improve efficiency or other parameters, including odor problems, cost of operations, etc., with a biological product that is well matched to the operating conditions.

     

    The selection of a biological product should consider whether the supplier can offer adequate, prompt and effective technical support and problem solving.

     

    Good luck!

     

    Prof. Cleveland M. Jones, DSc.

    Researcher – INOG (Instituto Nacional de Óleo e Gás/CNPq)

    UERJ – State University of Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    2 Comments

    1. Right. Researcher approach:
      Give us all your money and we will try to help you.
      And it might work.

    2. I agree fully with what you are saying. We are operational for 17 years now in the European market, have a network of distributors in over 20 EU countries and have seen these cowboys come and go over the years. The only way to be successful with bioaugmentation is to have in depth knowledge on what Bacteria and fungi can and cannot do. Also it is important to understand the treatment system in which you are dosing. Thanks for your comment, it is important to make people aware of this.

  27. The best way to reduce odor  is to install a suitable Odor removal plant. All the chemicals you use must thought effective must be continously used. But odor control plants  is the best solution for this problem.

    If it the flow is low then use activated carbon type ODU if higher flow use Biological type.

    We manufacture both type. Pls. visit our website www.waterengrs.com  or contact us

  28. The best way to reduce odor  is to install a suitable Odor removal plant. All the chemicals you use must thought effective must be continously used. But odor control plants  is the best solution for this problem.

    If it the flow is low then use activated carbon type ODU if higher flow use Biological type.

    We manufacture both type. Pls. visit our website www.waterengrs.com  or contact us

  29. Hi Anghel,

    Typically these odours come from primary clarifiers and sludge dewatering operations. In certain cases anaerobic digesters are a source of odours as well.

    We can offer microbial additives which are aimed at converting the odorous compounds emitted by the wastewaters. We have cases were an addition of these products into the primary clarifiers reduces H2S levels all across the treatment plant well into the sludge dewatering building. Besides H2S it also reduces odours created by volatile short chained fatty acids.

    This is what we call the liquid phase treatment approach. Alternatively we can offer a system which neutralises airborne odorous compounds. Not by spraying a water mixture of an odour neutralising compound but by creating a dry vapour of a particular mixture of odour neutralising ingredients. This dry vapour approach is much more effective than the water mist spray. Odour molecules react directly with the odour neutralising compounds and do not first have to dissolve into the water droplet. The results is less product consumption and a higher effectiveness.

    If you like more information please do not hesitate to contact me at, r.wagenveld@qmes.nl

    Best regards,

    Robert Wagenveld

    1 Comment

  31. You should rethink your options: instead of masking bad odors, you should try to prevent them.

    A well designed, dimensioned, constructed and operated (!) WWTP or STEP does NOT produce bad smells. The only place you may find these are at the excess sludge treatment, where air circulation over a small activated carbon filter can do the job.

    In an over-dimensioned pump pit the wastewater stays too long and goes septic.

    If you have a header tank, recirculate a generous part of you MLSS and mix well. This prevents bad odors, fights bulking sludge and provokes (at least partial) de-nitrification.

    Make sure your aerated tank is well mixed to avoid anaerobic pockets.

    Another place where you can have odors is the final clarifier, if settled sludge is not removed completely, stays in pockets at the bottom and goes septic. Then starts to float as black, H2S rich sludge.

     

     

  35. You can use some odor masking chemicals or u can install Odor control unit which will have activated carbon media as the odor adsorbing media, an air blower , required ducting & back washing / re activating facility for the carbon media. Hope this will help u. In case of any further details in depth required, please drop us a mail to- info@purewaterqatar.com. Shaji

  36. There are many products that counter the smell. The anaerobic conditions can be mitigated with a few of the comments below. Jean Marius is the highest qualified person in the European theatre using microbial odor and pathogenic control.  The one system I am already familiar with is the biogenerator/biodigester. Eros Kaw has vast knowledge in this area.  I work all biodegrading problems using the microbial species called Archaea. It reduces all of the compounds into their elemental form. This way it will eliminate the odor the first hour it enters the oxygenating tank. No pathogens and no toxic materials. Just clean mineralized water to do with as you wish.

  38. The most common odor associated with wastewater collection and treatment is caused by release of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). Hydrogen sulfide is produced by anaerobic bacteria that grows beneath the slime layer in wastewater collection systems with long residence time and are corrosive to concrete, steel and equipment such as pumps. Agitation of the wastewater liberates H2S and produces odors at very low ppm levels and deadly at levels above 2000 ppm. Foul odors may also be attributed to oxygen depleted aerobic wastewater processes. One of the least expensive methods to reduce H2S forming bacteria is to elevate the pH/Alkalinity by addition of Magnesium Hydroxide. Elevating the pH/alkalinity from 7 to 8 eliminates H2S and corrosion by 80% and provides alkalinity for nitrification within the treatment plant. Other chemistries such as calcium or sodium nitrate are effective, however they are more expensive.

  39. ''ODOR HUNTER'' is patented product of KARE ENGINEERING CO..

    ''ODOR HUNTER'' hunts gaseous contaminants and converts them to useful products; like ammonium-sulfate (fertilizer), calcium-sulfur (insect-repeller).

    Contact with  ''ahmet48@yahoo.com ''

  42. this is super easy and cheap, Anghel.  put in a small in situ bioreactor.   it will keep on producing probiotics for many years.  you never have to buy microbes.  the probiotic will remove all H2S smell.  and you don't need to buy, you can rent for cheap for many years.  

  43. Hello Daniela,

    I have some assumptions about your problem: I assume your WWTP is an aerobic process and you may have a sludge digester.

    I also assume the digester is under control and is NOT the source of odors. I say this because the gases usually are collected and incinerated or used as bio-gas for heating-steam generation.

    To have some guidance into the control of odors we may have insight into the generation of such odorous gases.

    Odors in general are mercaptane gases (gases with a double link of Sulfur to alkanes) which generate on anaerobic conditions.
    If you were in certain regions of the world where sulfates are very low, most probably you will NOT have this problem. In places where the sulfates are relatively high mercaptanes appear easily and give you odors. This may occur even inside pumping wells. If the sewer has medium strength (or higher strength) and if the sewer system is long this  is even easier.

    In the process of generating the odorous gases, there is a step where Sulfur becomes detached from the Sulfate oxygen and chemically active. It is at that time that you can act. I have used Ferric chloride to do so, because the ionic iron is very reactive with the sulfur creating an insoluble compound (an not odorous) named pyrite FeS. This addition has to be followed closely, because Ferric chloride is also a coagulation-flocculation agent.

    There are compounds sprayed, masks or either favor oxidation or change the odor, but in general this methods are after the odorous gas is already there.

    Bio filters are good but take a large toll on your real state and maintenance, thus I only suggest them after the optimization of the process and measure to correct the generation of odorous gases is tried.

    If you need clarification or further assistance contact me at rafael.gaydemontella@gmail.com or call 514 575 5290 (whatsapp)

    Rafael

     

  44. Bonjour

    L'odeur qui se dégage de votre STEP est la même qui  émane de toutes les STEP du monde. Cette odeur provient de la matière organique en putréfaction. Une putréfaction enclenchée par la méthanisation du milieu. il n'y a rien à y faire.

    la seule solution qui a été trouvée jusqu'à ce jour est celle que vous devez certainement utiliser: le bac d'aération. L'apport d'air libre tue l'action de la méthanisation du milieu avec des dommages collatéraux: une forte émanation d'air vicié dans l'atmosphère environnant.

    Ce bras d'aération supprime également toute possibilité de création d'un état sans oxygène par l'injection d'oxygène. Pour qu'un état sans oxygène puisse se créer il faudrait du temps (compris en année), que l'on injecte pas d'oxygène libre, que le mileiu reste stable durant des années. 

    Hors vu le débit entrant sur une STEP c'est loin d'être le cas. Je suis effaré que des personnes puissent encore parler d'état sans oxygène sur la terre qui est totalement aérobie.

    En assainissement biologique il n'y a pas d'émanation de putréfaction par la méthanisation car l'action du process est justement de conserver totalement les caractéristiques biologique du milieu en état aérobie.

    Hello

    The smell that emerges from your step is the same that emanates from all the steps of the world. This odor comes from rotting organic matter. A rot triggered by the anaerobic digestion of the medium. There is nothing to do.

    The only solution that has been found to date is the one that you definitely need to use: the aeration bin. The supply of free air kills the action of the digestion of the environment with collateral damage: a strong emanation of stale air in the surrounding atmosphere.

    This aeration arm also removes the possibility of creating an oxygen-free state by injecting oxygen. For a state without oxygen to be created it would take time (included in the year), that no free oxygen is injected, that the medium remains stable for years. 

    Out of sight the flow entering on a STEP is far from the case. I am frightened that people can still talk about oxygen-free State on Earth which is totally aerobic.

    In biological sanitation There is no rot emanation by the anaerobic digestion because the action of the process is precisely to preserve the biological characteristics of the environment in aerobic condition.

  46. See Edward Blackmore. Biofilters are a very good option and are not hard to build. I have smelled them work on ATAD air with reduced sulfur compounds. Quite a feet since some of those compounds you can smell to half a part per billion. I have worked with mechanical/ chemical systems and there is less operator input to the biofilter.

  47. Hello Daniela, one should look for causes:

    • Rising Temperatures - Temperatures are rising as we come into the summer months and with this, the temperature of the wastewater also increases. As a result, aerobic bacteria become more active and begin digesting BOD and other nutrients at a faster rate. The warmer the water becomes, the more active they are and the more oxygen they consume. This results in low dissolved oxygen.

    • Anoxic Zones - Low dissolved oxygen coupled with rising temperatures can lead to an increase in anoxic zones at the bottom of wastewater aeration basins. Anaerobic digestion releases sulphur dioxide, along with a variety of other noxious gases that are the causes of wastewater odour.

    Usual Solutions (to act on causes):

    Increase Oxygen Supply - Increasing oxygen supply ensures that the aerobic bacteria have the oxygen they need to aerobically digest BOD. This will help to control odours as anaerobic digestion will slow down.

    Wastewater Circulation  - Ensuring dissolved oxygen is reaching the very bottom of an aeration basin is key to avoiding odour as this is where the odour-causing anaerobic digestion occurs. By circulating the wastewater effectively, you can create nearly equal dissolved oxygen throughout. This in turn will promote odour-free aerobic digestion.

    Could you share the type of effluent is it and /or  some data of the activated sludge aeration? 
     

    Containing and filtering the gases may be another solution. Capex and opex  depends a lot on the size of your plant. 

    Best regards and feel free to contact me anytime. 

    1 Comment

    1. Is the odour being generated in the treatment plant or odour arriving from the influent to the treatment plant?  Ferric chloride dosed in the sewer catchment works well but is a dangerous good, Magnesium hydroxide liquid (MHL) also works well, but is difficult to dose.  Biosol an Australian product, has been shown to out perform both MHL and Ferrous chloride in terms of odour reduction when dosed correctly.  Its foot print is about 1/3 of what is required for MHL or Ferrous chloride, it is non hazardous and also has far better phosphorus control than ferrous chloride.  Contact sales@biosol.net

  48. Hi Daniela

    Our media is used to capture P from final effluent however when used in the treatment process not only will it bind P but also considerably reduce odour.

  49. you can  spray hydrolysed water

    we would need to design a solution around the source of the odour this is very effective our solution is used on landfill an reduces the odour.

    Be mindful that the odour problem may not come from the WWTP! As I found out in one of my case where complaints were recorded at a time where the wind direction recorded made it impossible for the  people to have smelt anything from the WWTP another source was identified.

    If you want to investigate our solution please get in touch.

    Gerald 

  50. As already answered, and as you wish, we have to know the sourse of the smell. First of all we have to know the waste water type, quality and treatment. After this, we have to undestand the sourse and the chemical composition of the odour, in order to deside if it is possible to prevent it from the source or to deminuish it (the odour) using chemical reagents.

    I can help you in both situations.

  51. ИЗМЕНИТЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИЮ ОБРАБОТКИ СТОКОВ!

    2 Comments

    2. Do you have an English version?

  53. Dear Daniela,

    Please, be contact  for more information via email: nikita.chikin@kaukointernational.com      

    You will get answer for your questions from Finland!

    1 Comment

    1. Do you have a solution for let's say a pig farm?

  54. Dear Daniela,

    Our company specializes in industrial and municipal odor control.  There are no simple answer to this questions, and it is important to understand the source and nature of the odor to suggest a suitable solution.  Feel free to contact me at lleroux@bioairsolutions.com and we would be happy to discuss this in more detail.  Here is a possible helpful link - 

    https://www.bioairsolutions.com/introduction-guide-to-industrial-odor-control/

    Regards, 

    Louis

    1 Comment

    1. Do you have a solution for odour control on a pig farm?

  55. Dear Daniela,

    Could you identify the source or location of the smell?

    Is it chemical or biological smell?

    - chemical; eventually an industrial polluter

    - biological; frome some undetected anaerobic process, eventually from sewer system ...

    Which plant, size and process?

    BR Mathias

    2 Comments

    1. Keep your system aerobic. If the smell goes beyond plant's boundaries, plant trees.

      Commented on by

    2. Complete treatment is carried out in the following treatment steps:

       

      -Mechanical treatment with rare and frequent gratings, disinfecting and primary settling.

      -Biological treatment through a process involving secondary sedimentation with recirculation activated sludge( ARS);

      -Stabilization of sludge by fermentation and dehydratation of stabilized sludge;

      -The odor source is from the treatment process and dewatering of sludge (H2S,NOx .....
       

      1 Comment reply

      1. As one of the responses above, I would suggest covering the odor sources and venting to a biofilter. Assuming the major sources are the headworks and dewatering should be fairly easy to accomplish. The activated sludge process should not be causing odors if it is healthy. Be very careful if you consider adding chemicals to avoid killing off the activated sludge biomass.