Key project highlights
Improving
odour management practice and regulatory compliance.
Informing
investment decisions to maximise benefits at least cost.
Reducing
odour risk through greater knowledge and awareness.
Enhancing odour strategy development and planning capability
One of a series of successful user groups run by WRc Portfolio, this ongoing project facilitates discussion between specialist treatment professionals to encourage improvement in all aspects of odour management.
Rising demands for odour control
The effective management of odour arising from wastewater operations is essential to maintain customer, regulator and wider stakeholder satisfaction, outcome delivery incentive (ODI) performance commitments and company reputation.
The demand for housing and land for commercial activities across the UK has led to development of land in close proximity to wastewater treatment works (WwTWs). This, combined with balancing increasing customer expectations and pressures on water utilities to minimise costs and carbon emissions, has resulted in an increased need to develop cost effective control measures to manage odour risks, minimise odour issues and complaints and respond promptly when issues arise.
In addition, predicted UK climate change effects, such as hotter and drier summer and warmer but wetter winters, are likely to result in existing odour management arrangements needed to be adapted.
A mutually beneficial solution
In a challenging area such as odour control, where expertise is spread across the UK water companies, there is a need for improved awareness and knowledge of technological innovations and sharing of good practice.
Increasing demands require a solution that provides the opportunity for niche service providers to connect and support each other; encourages mutually beneficial perspectives from external industry contributors; and transforms monitoring and odour complaint data into positive industry outcomes.
Join the conversation
The Odour Management User Group, which is one of a series of successful user groups run by WRc, has run since 2017 and includes representatives from water utilities across the UK that are directly or indirectly involved with the management of odour.
Clients report they have found it valuable to share experience with other people involved with odour management, with positive feedback received regarding presentations from regulators, experts and technology suppliers.
Discover more about the forum