Impact of bad odors from the wastewater treatment plant on the well-being of the population of M’rirt (Morocco)

Abstract

In the city of M’rirt, the odour nuisance caused by the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has led to numerous complaints from residents whose quality of life has been affected by these odours. Therefore, the objective of our study is to evaluate, in the field, the “real” impact of bad odours emanating from the WWTP with the help of a questionnaire during a period of 6 months. Our study sample composed of 1473 respondents chosen in a simple random way from the two municipalities surrounding the said odour source. The survey results revealed that among the 1473 respondents 71 (n=1040) confirmed “yes” the odour of the WWTP presents a real olfactory annoyance and 29% said “no” and that several factors are involved in its prediction. The statistical analysis of our study confirmed the negative impact of WWTP odours on the well-being of the city’s population, its spatial and temporal distribution with the establishment of a map of the olfactory discomfort in the city.