sewer smell
sewer smell
(OP)
I have an area where we drop a force main sewer into a gravity sewer. The residents are not so happy with the smell, especially in the summer months. I've been out there a number of times and the smell isn't pleasant next to the manhole, but I don't think it is really that bad. I guess I spend too much time in the sewer!
They also complain that they get sewer gas coming up into their homes as well.
I'm convinced that the gas is due to either their p-traps drying, or the plumber failing to plumb the house correctly in the first place. One homeowner claims that the silver in his home is tarnished from the gases!
We've tried the baskets with deodorant and added enzymes to the forcemain upstream of the manhole. The homeowners have tried capping and uncapping vents, adding scrubbers, and pouring bleach down the drain (nice huh?).
When I get these calls, about the only thing I can do is explain that unfortunately sewer smells. These people know more about anaerobic and aerobic sewers now than the average citizen.
So, before things start to warm up again and the complaints start, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has tried anything for stinky sewers.
They also complain that they get sewer gas coming up into their homes as well.
I'm convinced that the gas is due to either their p-traps drying, or the plumber failing to plumb the house correctly in the first place. One homeowner claims that the silver in his home is tarnished from the gases!
We've tried the baskets with deodorant and added enzymes to the forcemain upstream of the manhole. The homeowners have tried capping and uncapping vents, adding scrubbers, and pouring bleach down the drain (nice huh?).
When I get these calls, about the only thing I can do is explain that unfortunately sewer smells. These people know more about anaerobic and aerobic sewers now than the average citizen.
So, before things start to warm up again and the complaints start, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has tried anything for stinky sewers.





RE: sewer smell
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=53982
RE: sewer smell
RE: sewer smell
If you have no better nor more contemporary reference you might want to get hold and read (at least as an aid to generate ideas/discussion) a copy of ASCE MOP #69, “Sulfide in Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems” – I think quite a bit of copy is devoted to politically popular odor and odor abatement issues. Incidentally, there is a list of “important considerations…” for “Design of Systems” (new or existing, for odor abatement) that starts out, “1. Any gas or vapor that might be toxic (such as H2S) should not be disguised.”…
RE: sewer smell
RE: sewer smell
RE: sewer smell
Scott - the force main only pumps intermittently, so flows sit in a closed environment, leading to an anaerobic condition.
Missouri - thanks. We've been flushing as well. But due to poor plumbing in the houses (my opinion) the home owners claim that this pushes the gases up the service lines. Go figure, I can't win.
IFR's I'm not sure how draining the water lines would help with this situation other than perhaps aiding in flushing.
Thanks for the suggestions. Pretty much sounds like the other research I've done. I'm going to look into Hydrogen Peroxide as an option in another location, I think that might work over there.
RE: sewer smell
RE: sewer smell
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: sewer smell
RE: sewer smell
The best way to prevent septic odors is to prevent septic conditions. So to eliminate the odors you can try something like:
1. Don't let the water sit in the sewer very long, which means adjusting the level in the lift stations upstream of the problem area to pump more often (at lower levels), so the water doesn't have time to sit around and go septic.
2. Add something to the water to keep it from stinking. Hydrogen Peroxide or a product called odorphos are in common use here. I would at least let the WWTP know about chemical addition since it will affect their plant. Again, look upstream for the best place for chemical addition.
By the way, I agree with your statment about odors coming into houses is because of poor plumbing. Probably the same contractor took the same shortcuts for the housing development. Have you suggested to the homeowners that they pursue the plumbing problem and possibly get the installing contractor to fix it? I would also agree with the homeowner's silver being tarnished by the small amount of H2S.