The District is required to meet certain air quality requirements in order to operate. Because wastewater has a strong, unpleasant smell and its treatment of wastewater has the potential to release foul odors, the District has invested in odor control tower that helps to “scrub” the air released during the processing of wastewater and solids to limit the emissions released into the air. The odor control process uses ferric chloride and sulfur-eating bacteria, which help control the amount of sulfur gas (hydrogen sulfide which causes that rotten egg smell).

The District submits a report every year to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) verifying that we meet all requirements for emissions. We value the importance of protecting the air we all breathe and work hard to keep emissions low. The District changed from ferrous chloride to ferric chloride to aid in the treatment process. Ferric Chloride is a more effective and efficient way of cleaning the air, and the change is another example of embracing innovative solutions to treatment process challenges.

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