Sweet smell of success

Abstract

ODOR PROBLEMS plagued the wastewater-treatment plant in Waxahachie, Texas, since it opened in 1975. With the cooperation of neighboring residents, plant staff have determined the odors' primary causes and have made great strides toward solving the problem. Our plant uses an activated sludge process with aerobic digesters. A belt filter press provides sludge disposal. The odor problems were found to be related to a digester air supply cutoff. The plant influent, primary clarifier and gravity thickner, the dezritter the slum concentrator and the aerobic digesters.