Krebs Architecture & Engineering, Inc., (Krebs) has received the 2010 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in the category of Water & Wastewater for their planning and design of the Albertville, Alabama Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Odor Control project.
Krebs was retained by the Albertville Municipal Utilities Board (MUB) to provide a solution to the persistent problem of odors generated by the WWTP which is located in a densely populated area of town adjacent to numerous businesses and a major highway. MUB engaged Krebs and an odor consultant to perform an odor study for the wastewater treatment facility. The purpose of the study was to identify and prioritize odor sources, and to evaluate and recommend odor control measures. Based on recommendations in the study, MUB implemented a combination of odor control measures and process improvements recommended by Krebs. After completion of the improvements, a follow-up odor study was conducted which concluded that the odor control measures and process improvement initiatives were achieving the required odor reduction. The project consisted of a methodical evaluation of a complex problem that had serious social and political implications for the community of Albertville. The effort required close coordination of four engineering consultants and MUB personnel throughout the odor study, design, construction and follow-up study phases of the project. The result of that effort was a cost-effective solution that not only addressed the odor issue but also realized a significant ongoing annual savings in the WWTP operations cost which is directly related to the ratepayers’ monthly service charges. In addition to providing an engineering solution to the odor issue, the successful project resulted in improved relations between MUB and the community at large and improved the likelihood of future development in Albertville.