Ace the 2026 ADEQ Wastewater Collections 1 Exam – Flow into Success with Confidence!

Odor problems in sewers come mainly from hydrogen sulfide produced in anaerobic conditions, so controlling odors relies on oxidizing sulfides or removing the gas through aeration. Hydrogen peroxide and chlorine are oxidants that convert sulfides to less odorous forms like sulfate, reducing and controlling the smell. Aeration helps by introducing oxygen and promoting oxidation while stripping dissolved gases, directly lowering odor emissions. Sulfuric acid, on the other hand, doesn’t remove sulfides; it lowers the pH, which can actually promote the release of hydrogen sulfide gas and can cause corrosion. Because it doesn’t address the odor compounds effectively, sulfuric acid will not solve the odor problem.