UKWIR Research Win for Entec

Public concern about malodours from wastewater treatment works has been on the increase over the last 20 years. This has been prompted largely by an increase in quality of life expectations as well as reduced tolerance towards unfavourable environmental effects of business and utilities upon public amenity. The number of high-profile odour annoyance cases in recent years has highlighted this trend.

Entec, in conjunction with Cranfield University, has been appointed by UKWIR to carry out research into the appropriate odour standards for wastewater treatment.

The research will consider the following aspects:

• What wastewater treatment works (WwTW) odour levels are considered unacceptable to customers?
• Are odours from some wastewater treatment processes more acceptable to customers than others?
• What is the most appropriate basis for an odour standard?
• When and where is it appropriate to apply (or not apply) standards and to monitor in order to demonstrate compliance?

The legal situation regarding WwTW nuisance odour is essentially unclear at present. A pending Appeal Court judgement may help to clarify whether or not wastewater treatment works are to be subject to regulation regarding odours under the Environmental Protection Act, 1990. Regardless of the outcome of this judgement, the water industry will still require guidelines and standards within which they should consider operating their wastewater treatment works. This research will give the water companies a basis to choose, apply and demonstrate compliance with odour standards, with the aim of reducing the potential of odour annoyance that can be experienced by their customers.

For further information on this project contect Entec’s Project Manager, Darren Hall by phone on 0207 843 1409 or by e-mail at halld@entecuk.co.uk

Note: UKWIR facilitates collaborative research for UK water operators. The UKWIR programme generates sound science for sound regulation and sound practice. Further information can be found on their website at www.ukwir.co.uk

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