Definition
A wastewater treatment plant odor event occurs when odors
released from the wastewater treatment plant site are easily
recognized by the average person and reported to Regional San
staff.
Target
No more than 8 wastewater treatment plant odor events per year.
Purpose
This service level reflects the effectiveness of our odor control
equipment and practices at the wastewater treatment plant.
Critical Impacts
A wastewater treatment plant odor event can be caused by the
failure or over exceeding the capacity of odor control equipment;
process upsets; overloading the solids storage basins; inadequate
injection of solids under the soil at the dedicated land disposal
facilities; scheduled maintenance of process equipment (prolonged
diversion of wastewater to emergency storage basins); failing to
adequately clean emergency storage basins; and uncovering
wastewater tanks, vaults or manholes for prolonged periods. These
events can also be caused by the Biosolids Recycling Facility and
are highly influenced by weather conditions.