Wastewater Collection System Odours
Wastewater collection systems can be comprised of a large range of infrastructure including:
- A gravity network which collects sewer flows from individual houses and businesses.
- A collecting pump station which pumps collected effluent towards the treatment plant.
- A rising main which transports the effluent from the pump station to a high point.
- Manholes which accept pumped and gravity flows.
- Venting to allow the system to breathe. Air is expelled as flows come in and is drawn in as flows leave.
Odour generation in a sewerage network generally takes place in the rising main. The lack of oxygen in the main leads to septic conditions, which liberates sulphur and creates aqueous hydrogen sulphide. When this septic flow reaches a manhole or pump station, it is liberated to H2S gas.
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H2S gas is the main odorant from a sewer system, and is the most likely cause of complaints. It is also responsible for acid attack of concrete infrastructure.
The main areas where wastewater collection system odours are likely to be experienced are:
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