Odour surveys can help industrial sites identify and manage odorous emissions. In today’s blog, we explore three examples of how this can be valuable.

HOW CAN I MAKE USE OF ODOUR SURVEYS?

There are many kinds of odour surveys. The best one for your needs will depend on your objectives. For example:

Planning & Permitting

Are you developing a new site or adapting an existing one? Or, perhaps you are working towards gaining an environmental permit. Whatever your planning goal, odour surveys can provide evidence to support your application.

Complying with Your Environmental Permit

By undertaking regular odour surveys, you can prevent odours from arising and nip them in the bud if they do.

Investigating and Managing Odour Complaints

Odour can help you work out if a complaint is valid or not. You can use this information to show the regulator, as well as to keep the community updated.

THE ROLE OF ODOUR SURVEYS IN PLANNING & PERMITTING

Usually, planning regulations require an odour survey.

Odour now forms part of your application for environmental permits and planning permission. You must show that you have considered odour sufficiently within your application. So, if you are developing a new site or are working on a new one, you will need to take this into account. An odour survey will give you the information you need to support your application.

There are several different types of surveys that you should consider. For simple developments, an odour assessment survey or a sniff survey may suffice. Or, for more complicated projects, an odour sampling survey or dispersion model. At Silsoe Odours, our odour specialists can help you identify the best course of action.

COMPLYING WITH YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL PERMIT

Your operating permit will specify odour conditions that you must adhere to. It will include acceptable levels of odorous emissions. If you exceed this, you could face penalties. So, keeping an eye on emissions is a good idea, helping you to fix problems early. Ongoing odour monitoring is the best way to do this. First, ensure you understand all the possible odour sources at your site. Then, create an odour management plan outlining how to monitor and maintain them.

Odour Management Plan

Your odour management plan should include regular equipment checks and odour surveys. Appoint specific staff to conduct sniff surveys around the site. Also ensure they receive suitable training to do so (odour sensitivity testing). Their findings will not be meaningful if they do not meet the requirements of EN13725:2022.

Your plan may also include regular odour sampling surveys. This will give you quantitative data about the scale and characteristics of emissions.

Ensure you record your odour monitoring activity. This is because good records are critical if the regulator needs to investigate odour problems.

USING ODOUR SURVEYS TO MANAGE COMPLAINTS

Following suitable odour monitoring protocols minimises the likelihood of odour complaints. However, sometimes you may receive them in error, or for malicious reasons. Odour surveys provide scientific data that can help you prove or disprove complaints. When investigating complaints, regulators also like to see a proven history of monitoring odour.

I have engaged Silsoe Odours for a series of odour investigations relating to ongoing legal proceedings with a neighbour at one of our sites. The team are always professional and willing to oblige. I would be happy to recommend their services.
RODDY McDONALD, SCOTTISH WATER

BOOK AN ODOUR SURVEY TODAY

Finally, to learn more about odour surveys, get in touch with our knowledgeable team. We can help establish which service will best suit your requirements. Our friendly team will, of course, be happy to talk through the options. In the first instance, you can call on 01525 860222. Alternatively, email info@silsoeodours.co.uk, or click the button below to reach us. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, X (previously Twitter) and Facebook.

Article updated 13th February 2024