On the Trail of an Odor Problem

City council members in Washington, Mo., have been concerned in recent months after receiving complaints about odors emanating from the modern wastewater treatment facility that replaced an old trickle filter system that was operating over capacity and showing signs of wear. A new Vertical Loop Reactor (VLR) treatment and Cannibal sludge reduction system (both from Siemens Water Technologies) were installed three years ago.Water/wastewater superintendent Kevin Quaethem was hired as the new 4 mgd system was being built. He was asked at a recent council meeting what could be causing the odors and why they persisted. Quaethem set out to find