Greenhouse Gas Production and the Wastewater Profession

During WEFTEC.06, the Water Environment Federation adopted a resolution on climate change acknowledging that there is scientific consensus that emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere threaten the stability of the planet’s climate and the water environment. This resolution has directed the Federation to identify and implement practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from water and wastewater treatment processes, and identify ways in which water resource managers can plan for the challenges of global climate change. Preventing pollutants from entering the environment has always been the goal of the wastewater professional. It is what makes wastewater work interesting and exciting.

Gaseous emissions from wastewater sources have long been a concern for the wastewater professional. Odors have stood as the major worry and their control has required significant investments to limit the impact on wastewater facility neighbors. The technology to cover processes, evacuate and convey foul air streams to scrubbers has evolved to the point where modern societies have come to expect that they will not be inconvenienced by wastewater odors. Demand for more rigorous odor control has lead to a lively specialty area in the wastewater profession for those who design and build odor control systems and equipment. Meanwhile, the cost of implementing rigorous odor control continues to rise, seems not to have an upper limit, and must be borne by all who contribute to the wastewater system. Compared to the number of people who contribute the raw materials that produce wastewater odors, those impacted are relatively few and are in close proximity to the offending wastewater facility.

By contrast, greenhouse gases produced at wastewater facilities have the potential to affect the entire world’s population in ways that are not immediately and acutely experienced by those in close proximity to the plant. The indirectness of this effect, combined with the paucity of information regarding wastewater greenhouse gas contributions, has minimized the local sense of urgency that has been so effective in mobilizing odor management. Consequently, control of greenhouse gases from wastewater facilities has not yet been attempted in any meaningful way and the costs, so far, are borne only by those who have been affected by changes to the environment.

While the end results of greenhouse gas emissions will not be known until they are experienced, the consensus of the scientific community is that climate change will result. The question remains how significant the change will be. Nonetheless, given the investment in time and money that has been made to prevent nuisance odors from wastewater facilities from impacting a relatively few people, it is reasonable that a similar investment should be made to control emissions that could cause dramatic changes to the environment for a vast number of people worldwide. 

Controlling greenhouse gas emissions is potentially the most significant way to protect the environment since the development of primary wastewater treatment. It will require evaluation of energy use and recovery and possibly even the development of new treatment processes and gas phase controls that will allow the sequestration of carbon. This coming challenge should also serve as a reminder of the value of professional communication, especially through publishing. Like so many challenges in the wastewater industry, the climate change issue will provide opportunities for us all to expand our knowledge and abilities while benefiting mankind and the environment. For wastewater professionals, it is a critical and exciting time.

Dirk Apgar, Issue Editor
Chair, Water Environment Federation Air Quality & Odor Control Committee