justkb wrote:I finally have something relevant to add to a Boglehead discussion! I've been employed at a wastewater treatment facility for almost 18 years. There are a few things to investigate before purchasing a property nearby. First and foremost, ASK QUESTIONS! The following are questions the superintendent will answer for you:
1 - What type of odor control is used, such as activated carbon scrubbing systems, primary clarifier covers, sludge thickener covers. If he says "None", end the conversation and look for a new location.
2. What is done with solids handling? This is a major source of odors. If they treat solids onsite, there will be odor issues. If they send their solids to an outside facility, they will be greatly reduced.
3. What type of chemical is used in pretreatment? If hypochlorite solution of ferric chloride is added at the local pumping stations, the incoming odors will be greatly reduced.
If your local facility actively works to address these concerns, you may experience odors once in awhile, but only on days of "low ceilings," such as high humidity days. Those days, the air becomes rather saturated with moisture, and the evaporated wastewater (and released odors) have no place to go, so they hover near ground-level.
Hope this helps!
I hope Ken gets tagged in this since I quoted him, as I am not sure how to do this, and the post is over one year old. I am in a similar home shopping situation, and have asked the plant supervisor the questions Ken suggested. The house I am looking at has a small pond and some open land between it's back yard and the water reclamation facility. It looks to be about one half mile, according to map scales. The property is directly south of the plant. In the answer to Ken's question number 1, I was told that they use chemical odor control, and that different types of odors respond better to different types of odor control. Question 2 - they do treat solid waste on site. Question three - They do not use chemicals for pre-treatment, but they do use 15% hypochlorite (and something else that I could not write fast enough to get down) in the final treatment as a disinfectant. I was additionally told that this facility does not have a primary system (I may not have that entirely correct, but the word primary was used), which means they do not hold stagnant water. They are unlike most treatment plants, in that they are entirely aerobic. He shared that they do have student groups tour the facility, and the children do not hold their noses while on the tours. The real estate agent shared that some of the folks in the neighborhood directly to the west of the plant have reported odors, but she does not know anyone in the neighborhood directly to the south (where we are looking at a house). In February it is hard to find neighbors outside to ask, and standing there sniffing the air does have the same result as doing the same in July. Anyone who can shed any further light on this issue would be greatly appreciated - thank you!