County uses electronic noses to monitor wastewater treatment plant odor

PITTSBURGH, PA, June 15, 2009 -- The first permanent U.S. installation of a unique technology that can "smell" an odor problem before it occurs recently went on line in Tucson, Arizona, according to the technology provider, N.A. Water Systems, a Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies company.

OdoWatch® is now operational at the Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where six e-noses (electronic noses) calibrated to smell odors like the human nose are installed at the facility. The unit performs real-time air dispersion modeling to generate a color-coded plume indicating the level of odor on a map of the site.

The system quantifies odor, and if the level begins to approach the threshold that can be perceived as a nuisance by a human nose, an alert notifies operators that actions must be taken to mitigate the situation. OdoWatch® can also be used to determine which odor source at a facility is causing the alert.

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department Deputy Director, John D. Warner took great interest in the potential of the OdoWatch System after a presentation by Odotech Inc. President and OdoWatch technology developer, Thierry Pagé. Mr. Warner recommended procurement of the OdoWatch System after stipulating that concurrent hydrogen sulfide monitoring and a rigorous monitoring data validation program become part of the system specification.

This proactive tool for odor management is intended to improve community relations by eliminating odor complaints. It will serve as an early warning system that will enable the staff at the plant to make quick changes when they are needed.

N.A. Water Systems is a provider of solutions for air, water and wastewater issues ranging from regulatory compliance assistance to complete turnkey installation of treatment systems. N.A. Water Systems is a Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies company.

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