ODOUR MANAGEMENT IN WESSEX WATER: CONSULTATION ZONES AND ODOUR MANAGEMENT PLANS
de Groot, K., Purvey, A. and Humphries, J., Wessex Water, UK
(free)
It is recognised that prevention of an odour nuisance is better than cure. Sites suitable for waste management facilities are scarce and can be difficult to find. Where they are permitted they have to comply with stringent tests of the planning system with regard to their emissions and impact on the local environment. Such sites also need to be protected from encroachment of sensitive development which could derogate or prejudice their future use. This approach is supported by Planning Policy Statement 23 which promotes the separation of potentially polluting and other land uses. Through the use of consultation zones within local authority planning policies Wessex Water aims to safeguard important waste facilities and ensure that sensitive development does not encroach into areas where it could be adversely affected by the operation of these facilities.
In Wessex Water Odour Management Plans are used to promote a proactive approach to odour management on site. Wessex Water has a generic OMP for sites without current odour issues. For sites with a history of odour complaints and/or odour abatement equipment a site specific OMP is produced. Site specific OMPs include procedures for preventing and minimising odours, dealing with odour complaints and operating and monitoring odour control plant. Wessex Water identified 30 sites requiring site specific OMPs. These have been implemented together with operator training. A case study is given as an example of how an OMP has proved an invaluable tool for odour management at a sewage treatment works with odour issues.
KEY WORDS Odour, odour complaints, sewage treatment works, planning policy, odour management plan
