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Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), Fecal Sludge (Septage) Treatment Plants (FSTP), and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) are essential for managing wastewater generated from domestic, municipal, household, and industrial sources. However, these facilities are often associated with foul odour emissions, which pose a serious nuisance to the surrounding communities.
Odour generation depends on factors such as plant size, wastewater composition, retention time, aeration levels, and the design and maintenance of the treatment process. Unpleasant odours are not merely a comfort issue—they can lead to public complaints, regulatory scrutiny, and operational inefficiencies.
Elixir Enviro Systems Pvt Ltd (www.elixirenviro.in) is a pioneer in odour control. Elixir Enviro offers customised and integrated odour control solutions for STPs and ETPs across India. From proper ventilation design to advanced treatment technologies, Elixir provides systems to eliminate odour at the source, enhance air quality, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Odour formation in sewage, septage, and effluent treatment plants (STPs, FSTPs, and ETPs) is primarily due to the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. Under low or no oxygen conditions, microorganisms break down waste and release gases with pungent, foul odours. Understanding the source of these odours is essential for devising effective control measures.
Odour control is not a universal solution. The technology you choose depends on the air volume that needs treatment, the level of pollutants, and the specific stages of the treatment process that produce odour. Here are the most common odour control systems used in sewage and effluent treatment plants:
What is a biofilter? A biofilter is a porous bed made of organic media, some are generic media and some are proprietary fomulations. Generic media includes substances such as compost, wood chips, or synthetic materials. The proprietary media include the media manufactured by Elixir enviro systems (www.elixirenviro.in) such as Cocofil® 25 & Cocofil® 25 etc, wherein the manufacturer guarantees the removal efficiencies. It supports a microbial population that biologically degrades odourous compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The odourous air is passed through the media bed, and the microorganisms convert the pollutants into harmless by-products like CO₂ and H₂O. Biofilters are highly effective and can remove up to 95% of odours when properly maintained. However, the performance is highly dependent on media moisture content and air distribution. Few versions of biofilters offered by Elixir Enviro Systems can be seen at: Click Here
Bio-trickling filters employ inert packing media over which water and nutrients continuously trickle, creating a moist environment conducive to microbial growth. As odour-laden air passes through the filter, aerobic bacteria break down the pollutants.
These well-aerated systems can treat both volatile organic and inorganic compounds. A primary benefit is their ability to efficiently handle high odour concentrations in a compact design. However, nutrient dosing and the risk of clogging due to biomass buildup must be carefully managed.
Also known as a bio-washer, the bio-scrubber operates in two stages. In the first stage, odourous air comes in contact with a liquid absorbent, typically water or a chemical solution, which absorbs the pollutants. In the second stage, the liquid goes into a separate tank for biological treatment. This is where microbes come in—they break down the compounds that were previously absorbed.
Bio-scrubbers are especially effective at treating highly soluble compounds such as H₂S. They are known for their high reliability and low chemical consumption, particularly when supported by proper nutrient management.
Chemical scrubbers remove odourous gases using acidic or alkaline solutions. The polluted air stream is brought into contact with a scrubbing liquid in a packed tower, where chemical reactions neutralise the odourous compounds.
The pH of the scrubber is maintained based on the nature of the pollutants (acidic for ammonia, alkaline for H₂S). Although chemical scrubbers are efficient and quick acting, they require chemical handling infrastructure and periodic monitoring. This is particularly suitable where the odour characterization is done and fine removal is not expected.
Elixir Enviro’s scrubber systems are custom-built to ensure precise dosing, optimal contact time, and minimal chemical waste.
A carbon filter is a highly effective solution frequently selected for its easy installation. It operates through adsorption, with activated carbon capturing and retaining odourous gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly released from wastewater treatment.
The activated carbon can come from bituminous coal or coconut shells and might be treated with chemicals to improve its ability to absorb specific pollutants. The carbon bed sits in a sealed container through which the foul air passes, letting the media absorb contaminants before clean air is released. A well-designed carbon filter system can remove up to 99% of odours. Maintenance includes regular inspections, monitoring pressure drops, and changing the carbon media every 12 to 24 months, depending on the gas load. Carbon filters are compact, quiet, and easy to fit into existing systems, but the ongoing cost, which is almost as high as the initial cost, can make them less appealing for larger units.
In many sewage and effluent treatment plants, using a mix of treatment techniques works better than sticking to just one method.
For instance, biofilters used with chemical scrubbers or bio-trickling filters followed by activated carbon polishing can offer multiple layers of odour removal. This helps meet strict air quality standards.
Elixir Enviro creates modular systems that fit into new or existing plants, allowing for easier adjustments as needs change.
Prevention is always better than cure. In addition to treatment technologies, smart plant design and operation significantly reduce odour emissions. Key approaches include:
Controlling odours from sewage and effluent treatment plants is important for multiple reasons.
At Elixir Enviro Systems, we specialize in designing and executing custom odour control solutions tailored to the unique needs of sewage and effluent treatment plants across municipal, industrial, and residential sectors. With decades of expertise and a strong focus on innovation, our solutions are engineered to deliver maximum odour reduction, regulatory compliance, and community satisfaction.
Odour control from sewage and effluent treatment plants is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It ensures cleaner air, healthier environments, and peaceful coexistence with surrounding communities.
Elixir Enviro Systems Pvt Ltd is a trusted partner in delivering customised, cost-effective, and high-performance odour control solutions for both municipal STPs and industrial ETPs across India. With a comprehensive range of technologies—from biofilters and scrubbers to modelling and monitoring tools—Elixir ensures that your facility stays compliant, efficient, and community-friendly.
Interested in Odour Control Solutions for Your Treatment Plant?
📞 Reach out to us at info@elixirenviro.in 🌐: www.elixirenviro.in
Odours in STPs and ETPs mainly come from the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. This process releases gases such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and mercaptans. These gases have strong, bad smells and can be harmful to health if not managed.
Yes, prolonged exposure to gases such as H₂S and ammonia can cause eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems. At high concentrations, these gases can be toxic, making affected people unconscious and sometimes causes death as well. There are several cases of people falling into the drains and lost lives, mainly due to the toxicity of gases like H2S. This can happen in STPs as well, especially when the source is in a confined zone. Effective odour control is important for the health and safety of plant workers and surrounding communities.
Key odour-generating zones include:
These areas should be prioritised for containment and odour control systems.
When properly maintained, biofilters can remove up to 95% of odourous compounds, especially hydrogen sulphide and VOCs. Their efficiency depends on type of media, moisture content of the media, air distribution, and microbial activity.
After installation of EES’ Cocofil biofilter, the complaints regarding fishy odour from the factory has diminished. The system is working well with very low operation cost as well as better efficiency as compared to our previous odour control unit.
The system is in operation since 2020
DGM, Avanti Feeds Ltd, Gujarat
EES is our trusted partner in the odour control and wastewater treatment. They have installed the odour control unit consisting of different scrubbers, biofilters and a Biological Nutrient Removal based ETP. There were instances where we had faced near to closure, but EES’s support helped us a lot. Currently EES has been given operation contract for the Odour Control Unit and for the Effluent Treatment Plant
The System is in operation since 2017.
Managing Partner, Collagen Marine Products, Kerala
Elixir Enviro Systems has installed two Biofilters at our ossein plant in 2015 and 2017 respectively. EES has demonstrated the odour removal efficiency in our presence with over 98% odour removal. We thank you for your support.
Sr Manager, Kerala
Elixir Enviro System has done the installation and commissioning of Biofilter based Odour control system for Feed manufacturing unit at Orisa in 2017. The work has been completed in accordance with the Work order. We have also witnessed an odour removal efficiency of over 99%.
AGM, Falcon Feeds, Orrisa
