Integrated Assessment of Odour Emissions from a Municipal Wastewater Pumping Station Using Field Olfactometry and Chemometric Modelling

Odour emissions from wastewater infrastructure represent a significant environmental and social challenge in urban areas. This study evaluates the odour impact of a municipal wastewater pumping station using an integrated field-based approach that combines sensory observations, chemical measurements and meteorological data. Field olfactometry and on-site gas monitoring were applied over a two-year campaign covering different operational and seasonal conditions. The results indicate that odour perception is strongly influenced by hydrogen sulphide concentration, air temperature and wind speed, with short-term high-intensity episodes playing a disproportionate role in odour nuisance. To support integrated interpretation, a Synthetic Odour Index (SOI) was developed to consolidate chemical, sensory and microclimatic information into a single numerical indicator, extending existing odour indices by explicitly integrating field-based sensory and meteorological data. The SOI showed a moderate but statistically significant association with odour intensity (r ≈ 0.3) and effectively differentiated low- and high-nuisance conditions. The proposed methodology demonstrates the value of combining field measurements with integrated data analysis for assessing and managing odour emissions from urban wastewater pumping stations and provides a practical basis for operational monitoring and odour mitigation strategies.