A properly functioning wastewater treatment plant does not emit odors. If there is an odor, it indicates anaerobic conditions in some part of the plant which should not normally occur as all compartments of the plant should be sufficiently aerated. In such a case, it’s necessary to identify the malfunction or the cause of the oxygen deficiency in the specific smelly compartment. Therefore, the plant should never smell like a septic tank or cesspit. However, it’s important to remember that the wastewater treatment plant accumulates wastewater which can have an inherent odor.