Planned Completion is November 2012

The Olentangy/Scioto Interceptor Sewer (OSIS) Downtown Area Odor Control Facilities Project was devised in 2007 in response to complaints of odors through the downtown riverfront area. Engineering analyses determined that the source of the odors was the Olentangy/Scioto Interceptor Sewer (OSIS), which travels through downtown. Further analysis showed that biofilters were the most cost effective method of treatment.

The project is financed through the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The estimated construction cost is $6 million.

Construction began in April 2011 with completion scheduled for November 2012.

Project Benefits:
The main benefit of the project will be reduced odors from the OSIS in the downtown riverfront area. The project will also provide ventilation for the OSIS Augmentation and Relief Sewer (OARS), which is a deep tunnel that will convey combined sewer flow to the Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ventilation will reduce odors and reduce potential corrosion of the concrete sewer structures.

Project Locations:
Air will be withdrawn from the OSIS and OARS tunnel in two locations. The northern site will be located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Neil Avenue and Vine Street (photo below) and will capture the foul air in the sewer before it reaches the riverfront area. The southern site will be located on the west side of Short Street just south of I-70/71 and will draw foul air from the downtown riverfront area.

Both sites will use a biofilter system to remove the odorous compounds from the air in the sewer. Biofilters withdraw the foul air from the sewer using a blower that forces the air through a filter bed (two beds in photo abve) consisting of an organic media (mulch) and an inorganic media (rock aggregate). Microbes that grow on the media utilize the odor causing compounds as a food source, thereby reducing odors. The constructed biofilters will resemble landscape beds, and each blower will be housed in a building. The remainder of the biofilter sites will consist of grassed access roads, lawn areas and landscaping.

Any questions or comments can be directed to project manager Greg Fedner at 645-8072 or by E-mail.