Odor Assessment and Action Plan Progress Summary
As of December 9, the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Odor Assessment and Preliminary Action Plan is substantially complete across most key areas. As a result, odors at the plant have been substantially mitigated.
Influent Screens now have all lightweight covers installed and air lines connected to the BioAir unit. The Centrifuge Building BioAir unit is fully functional following necessary repairs and upgrades to the carbon media. The Davco Biosolids Processing Facility has secured an agreement to remove liquid sludge, with remaining sludge removal underway.
For the Dumpsters under Influent Screens and the Drying Beds, all necessary perimeter fencing has been successfully installed, with the drying bed fencing completed by November 10, 2025. Crucially, the use of the drying beds closest to Donner Road has been stopped, and lime is being applied to solids in the existing beds when they must be used. Actions related to the Sludge Truck & Cleaning Area were implemented immediately.
The only remaining item that has seen no change is the Influent Splitter Box, which still requires further exploration into peroxide injection and the development of a means to pump return activated sludge during the wasting process.
December 9, 2025
November 10, 2025
October 15, 2025
October 10, 2025 Update
No developments to report.
October 8, 2025 Update
Perimeter Fencing Installation Status
A requisition has been entered for the security fence installation, kicking off the necessary procurement process, and we anticipate the work to commence in the near term. This fence will surround the base of the headworks (screens) and the drying beds.
Influent Screen Covers Quotation
We are expected to receive the completed quote for the covers for the influent screens as soon as this week. This will enable us to finalize budget approvals and proceed with ordering.
October 3, 2025 Update
No developments to report.
October 1, 2025 Update
No developments to report.
September 26, 2025 Update
Influent Screen Improvements
We have completed initial walkthroughs with three contractors regarding the necessary work on the influent screens. Influent screens are a vital first step, known as preliminary treatment, in wastewater treatment plants. They function as the facility's first line of defense by filtering out large solid materials and debris from the incoming raw wastewater (the influent) The contractors’ assessments, which we expect to receive in the coming weeks, will help us determine the best course of action and may assist us with developing a timeline.
September 24, 2025 Update
Partial Start-up of BioAir Odor System and Upcoming Fence Project
On Monday, our representative from Heyward was on-site and successfully initiated a partial start-up of the BioAir odor control system. While the system is not yet fully operational, we have confirmed that water is now irrigating the media at the top of the unit. This unit is the tall white structure near Donner Road. This is a significant step forward in our efforts to manage plant odors.
In this context, the term “media” refers to the material inside the BioAir odor system that is being irrigated with water. This media, a type of engineered material or organic substance, such as wood chips, provides a surface area for beneficial microorganisms to grow. These microbes then consume and break down the odor-causing compounds in the air that is passed through the system.
Otherwise, a fence contractor is scheduled to visit the plant on Thursday to provide a quote for new fencing, which will trap the odors emitted from the headworks areas and drying beds. We will continue to provide updates as these projects progress.
Sept. 19, 2025 Update
Our team continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to our operational plan. We are also making progress on a solution for covers on our influent screens. We have contacted a company that manufactures dumpster lids to explore the possibility of a custom-fabricated solution.
Sept. 17, 2025 Update
Recent actions have been taken to address and improve operations at the Atlantic Beach wastewater treatment plant. These efforts focus on both routine maintenance and long-term solutions for potential odor issues.
Sludge and Solids Removal
A city crew performed a critical maintenance task by removing accumulated solids from the plant's drying bed on Sept. 13. This material was then transferred to a sludge container. The container was subsequently transported and disposed of at the Trailridge facility in Jacksonville on Sept. 15.
Odor Assessment
On Sept. 16, a third-party assessment of the plant was conducted to identify potential sources of odors. A comprehensive walk-through of the entire facility was completed with an engineering firm representative. This assessment is a crucial step in pinpointing specific areas of concern and developing a plan to mitigate them.
Future Odor Control Initiatives
Discussions also were held with a representative from an environmental consulting firm that specializes in working with utility companies. The conversation centered on two key areas for future odor control:
- BioAir Unit Repair: A firm may be contracted to upgrade the existing BioAir unit, which is a critical piece of equipment for treating air and reducing odors.
- Masking Agent: The possibility of using a masking agent like one employed by JEA at some of its wastewater treatment plants is also being explored. A masking agent can help neutralize or cover up odors.
These actions demonstrate a commitment to both maintaining current operations and proactively addressing future challenges at the wastewater treatment plant.
Sept. 12, 2025 Update
Recent Activities:
- Equipment repositioned to mitigate odor.
- The drying bed was drained and covered with lime to mitigate odor.
- Solids were removed from the temporary storage tank.
- Consulted with colleagues at JEA regarding best practices.
Next Steps
- A former Florida municipal wastewater treatment plant operator and current consultant will evaluate our efforts and help us develop our long-term plan to address odor issues.
Sept. 8, 2025 Update
This report, an update to our Aug. 22, 2025, report (below), details a series of recent operational practice revisions at the wastewater treatment plant. The changes were implemented with the primary objectives of mitigating off-site odor impacts and improving the plant's overall operational efficiency. The revisions include both completed actions and ongoing projects, demonstrating a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing key environmental and community concerns.
Completed Operational Revisions
Immediate actions have been taken to address several pressing issues. These revisions directly reduce the plant's impact on the immediate vicinity and its neighbors.
- Relocation of Sludge and Debris Management: The application of sludge and other debris to drying beds has been restricted to areas furthest from the street. This change, along with the relocation of sludge trucks to a more interior parking location, minimizes visual and olfactory impacts on the surrounding community.
- Targeted Tank Pumping: A contractor was engaged to address two specific, high-priority issues that were contributing to chronic odors. This included the pumping of:
- Approximately 70,000 gallons of wastewater from a tank previously bypassed during the headworks repiping project.
- An additional sump tank that contained odorous solids.
Ongoing Initiatives for Odor Mitigation
Several key projects are underway to further enhance odor control and improve long-term operational performance.
- Bio-Air Unit Maintenance: We have scheduled a technician from Bio-Air to inspect the existing odor filtration unit outside of the centrifuge room. This visit will serve as a maintenance check and will inform any necessary repairs to ensure the unit continues to operate at peak efficiency.
- Davco Tank Cleaning: The final phase of cleaning the Davco tank, a significant source of odors, is in progress. The remaining wastewater is scheduled for removal by the end of the day, after which internal personnel will perform a thorough washing and bleaching to prevent future issues.
- Physical Barriers for Odor Control: Quotes are being solicited for the installation of fencing around key operational areas, specifically the dumpsters under the influent screens and the drying beds. This fencing is designed to serve as a wind barrier, a physical control measure to prevent the off-site transport of airborne odors.
- Advanced Chemical Dosing Optimization: Discussions have been initiated with USP Technologies to optimize our hydrogen peroxide dosing and injection points. This partnership aims to refine our chemical treatment strategy to more effectively reduce odors at the headworks and splitter box, targeting the root cause of the issue.
- New Equipment Fabrication: We are identifying a vendor to fabricate lightweight covers for the influent screens. The covers, made from HDPE or a similar durable plastic, will contain odors at the source and represent a key capital improvement project for long-term odor control.
Conclusion, Outlook, and Updates
The revisions outlined in this report represent a significant and multifaceted effort to improve the plant's operational practices. By combining immediate corrective actions with strategic, long-term projects, we are committed to enhancing efficiency, reducing our environmental footprint, and maintaining positive relations with the surrounding community.
Further, to facilitate a third-party review of our processes and infrastructure, we are reaching out to external partners, including public utility providers and engineering consultants.
Because keeping the public informed on this matter is paramount, this information will be updated on Friday, Sept. 12; Wednesday, Sept. 17; Friday, Sept. 19; and Wednesday, Sept. 24.
Aug. 22, 2025 Report
The City's engineering and public utilities departments have conducted an initial inspection of various processes and equipment that could be generating odors at the WWTF. One known source of odors was the recent replacement of the headworks piping, which required the unplanned temporary diversion of raw wastewater. This necessary activity resulted in the production of objectionable odors for several weeks until the repair could be completed.
Based on the initial inspection, a preliminary action plan is underway to address several other potential sources of odors at the facility:
- Influent Screens: Plans are being developed to install lightweight screen covers, and air lines from the Bio-Air filter will be reconnected to the screens.
- Centrifuge Building: Bio-Air technicians will be brought on-site to inspect the Bio-Air filter, and necessary repairs and upgrades will be made.
- Davco Biosolids Processing Facility: We will remove septic wastewater and biosolids and develop a plan for better air distribution.
- Dumpsters under Influent Screens: A fence will be constructed around the dumpster area to reduce airflow, and the cleaning frequency will be increased.
- Drying Beds: The drying beds closest to Donner Road will no longer be used. Additionally, a fence will be constructed around the rear drying beds, and any deposited solids will be immediately covered with lime.
- Influent Splitter Box: The City will explore peroxide injection and develop a way to pump return activated sludge to the splitter box during the sludge wasting process.
- Sludge Truck & Truck Cleaning Area: The truck cleaning area will be hosed down after rinsing the truck and roll-off container, and the truck will no longer be parked next to Donner Road.
Learn more here.
The City will provide updates on the progress of the action plan's implementation and any other areas identified as producing odors.
For more information, please email info@coab.us or call (904) 247-5804.