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Odorous emissions from sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants are produced generally by hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) and volatile or semi‐volatile organic compounds at very low concentrations; they are present in the liquid phase and are emitted into ambient air at the liquid‐gaseous interface (Frechen & Köster, 1998). These odours cause serious complaint in the vicinity of wastewater treatment plants. As a result odour control has become a key issue facing wastewater treatment plant management (Stuetz et al., 1999). Developments are under way to improve techniques for the assessment of odour and in the production of new technologies for destroying odour. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often amenable to biological treatment through a variety of reactor formats. However, several other technologies exist that could be used in their treatment for the abatement of odour. The eventual choice of a technology largely depends on the efficiency of treatment and the capital and operating costs. The advent of the “triple bottom line” now considers sustainability of the technique also, although this philosophy is in its infancy. Biological treatment undoubtedly represent a sustainable green option, but it must also be proven to be economically viable and efficient.

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