Controlling Sewage Treatment Plant Noise

Many local agencies responsible for the sewage treatment process manage a large number of small treatment facilities that serve low-density residential areas. This process is often noisy and, as a result, frequently generates complaints from nearby residents. Most of these agencies do not have staff with the requisite expertise to determine when noise complaints represent significant noise impacts. Further, if problems do exist, then the specialized knowledge required to mitigate noise impacts is not present. This paper presents the results of a study conducted for the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) in which a measurement procedure was developed, along with guidelines for determining the noise level at which impacts can be expected. Finally, an abatement solution was developed and tested, demonstrating the feasibility of a low-cost method of significantly lowering high noise levels generated by the operation of a typical low-volume sewage treatment facility.