Odor Control in Portable Toilets

PORT is not a masking agent that simply covers up unpleasant odors, particularly hydrogen sulfide odors. It actually reduces the effluent’s ability to produce the odors.

odor control

Problem

Portable toilet and pumper companies were facing increasing resistance and escalating regulations from operators of wastewater treatment facilities concerning the composition of chemicals being pumped into the systems from the tanks of the pumping trucks. Companies using formaldehyde or formaldehyde-based products for odor control in portable toilets were the main target.

Many products created two major problems for the treatment facilities. The introduction of many of the toxic products into the treatment system would cause “biological kills” of the bacteria being used to degrade the solid waste and control biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the facility. These toxic products in the effluent would also create unacceptable water release problems for the facilities.

Also contributing to the need to find an alternative product was the fact that most of the products on the market were hazardous to handle, and in some cases, actually fatal if ingested even in very small quantities. The companies were faced with a two-fold problem. First, they had to have a safe, effective product to control the odors in the portable units. Second, they had to find a product that would be readily accepted by the operators of the wastewater treatment facilities. Most companies had tried natural products that would be acceptable at the treatment facilities, but they found the products to be ineffective in controlling the odors in the portable units.

Solution

We were approached with the opportunity to show how Southland Organics’ PORT was much more powerful than anything else they had tried. The initial field tests were conducted with the assistance of waste management. The tests were conducted in southeast Georgia in the month of July. Average daily temperatures ranged from 90 to 96 degrees. The relative humidity was consistently above 90% during the test period.

PORT was found to be extremely effective in controlling odors emitted by the portable units. With a system charge of the PORT, one heavily used test unit was not pumped for 14 days. No offensive odors were ever present in the unit. The unit eventually had to be pumped and cleaned because it had reached volume capacity and near overflowing levels.

PORT is not a masking agent that simply covers up unpleasant odors, particularly hydrogen sulfide odors. It actually reduces the effluent’s ability to produce the odors.

Not only is PORT accepted by all wastewater treatment facilities, but it also provides a residual benefit to the effluent at the treatment plants by helping to control hydrogen sulfide odors and corrosion, along with contributing to a measurable reduction in total suspended solids (TSS) and BOD at the plant.

About the Author

Mike Usry

Mike Usry

President

This was written by Mike Usry, the President of Southland Organics. Mike is an entrepreneur and soil enthusiast with a passion for educating on agriscience-based topics to help business owners and homeowners alike grow plants, turf, poultry and more. Mike received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and his MBA from the University of South Florida. The combination of his education and experience has given him a deep understanding of both business and the science behind our products. Mike founded Southland Organics in 2009.

Learn more about Mike Usry

Alyssa Rauton

Avian Specialist/Research and Development

This was edited by Alyssa Rauton. With a bachelor’s degree in avian biology and two years of vet school from the University of Georgia under her belt, Alyssa has a wealth of knowledge on chicken health, nutrition and biology as well as a keen understanding of the animal agriculture industry. Alyssa has been writing content and executing research and development for Southland Organics since 2020.

Learn more about Alyssa Rauton

Alyssa Rauton
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