Resolving Odor Complaints With Targeted Solutions Restore Community Confidence

As the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District wastewater treatment plant managers at the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District saw an increase in complaints from neighbors about a foul smell lingering in the area. Odor complaints became a sensitive issue and the district sewer board knew the problem needed to be addressed.

The district’s initial attempts to treat or mask odors coming from the primary clarifiers were unsatisfactory. “The district could manage odors for six and a half days in a week and then have an unexpected ‘odor event’. Then the telephone calls would start again,” says Dennis Feichtner, District Superintendent of the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District. It became apparent that neighbors’ perceptions did not change so long as odors were occasionally present.

The district sewer board was committed to solving the problem. With the assistance of the district’s consultants, GRW Engineers Inc., the board evaluated alternative approaches to odor control and decided to purchase covers that would work with a ventilation and scrubber system to positively capture, remove, and treat odorous gas. A cover system was needed to reliably capture and contain odorous gas while providing features that met the district’s operational needs.