[EID. Img: El Dorado Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant]
As part of El Dorado Irrigation District’s continuing commitment to provide high quality wastewater service, EID has recently completed construction of a $900,000 upgrade at the El Dorado Hills wastewater treatment plant to improve odor control capabilities.
Started in June of this year, the odor control project included installing a new biotrickling filter that replaced existing carbon scrubbers.
Odor and emission treatment systems like the new biotrickling filter rely on a biological process that involves microorganisms present in the water that are recirculated through the treatment vessel. Foul air is forced upward through the bottom of the vessel. On its way up, the air is dispersed through synthetic media and contacts water laden with microorganisms. The microorganisms metabolize the offending compounds, leaving clean air to be released from the vessel.
The new odor control unit’s biological process requires an extensive start-up procedure lasting four to six weeks. Microorganisms from the wastewater treatment plant process will be transplanted to the unit and serve as the initial biological population.
“During these startup procedures, and with current weather forecasts, the District does not foresee substantial odors escaping the facility,” said EID Senior Civil Engineer Liz Carrington. “However, if foul odors are observed they should resolve quickly as the new process takes effect.”
If you would like to learn more about this important project, visit the project webpage "El Dorado Hills Odor Control Upgrade Project".
