How To Write An Odour Management Plan

In industries where odour emissions can become a concern, having a proper management strategy isn’t just good practice – it’s often a regulatory requirement. Whether you operate a wastewater treatment facility, food processing plant, waste management site or chemical manufacturing operation, understanding how to develop and implement an effective Odour Management Plan (OMP) is essentials for maintaining compliance and good community relations.

At Probe Industries, we specialise in providing comprehensive odour control solutions that address the source of the problem. But before implementing any solution, it’s crucial to have a well-structured plan that identifies, measures and addresses potential odour issues before they become an issue. With this in mind, this guide will walk you through the essentials of creating an effective Odour Management Plan for your facility.

What is an Odour Management Plan?

According to guidelines from the UK Government, where odour is a potential or actual issue, the business responsible should take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimise odour and its impact. This is where Odour Management Plans (OMPs) come into play.

In its simplest form, an OMP is a structured document for identifying, assessing and mitigating odour emissions from industrial or commercial operations. It’s both a preventative tool and a responsive framework, ensuring that odour-related issues are addressed before they impact local communities.

More than just a document, however, an effective OMP is a living strategy that should evolve with your business and any changing circumstances that impact how you operate. it should outline procedures for monitoring odour sources, outline control measures, and explain how you plan to respond to complaints. For many facilities, it’s also a vital component of environmental permitting and regulatory compliance.

Who needs an Odour Management Plan?

If your site generates or processes waste, organic material, chemicals, or wastewater – and there’s a risk of releasing unpleasant smells into the surrounding environment – chances are you’ll need an OMP.

In the UK, the Environment Agency often requires an Odour Management Plan as part of the permitting process for:

• Landfills and waste treatment facilities
• Composting and anaerobic digestion plant
• Food and drink manufacturing sites
• Sewage treatment works
• Chemical processing facilities

Even if a formal OMP isn’t mandatory, having one can be a good idea. It shows stakeholders – including local authorities, residents and regulators – that you take environmental responsibility seriously.

What to include in an Odour Management Plan

While the exact contents of an OMP will vary by site and industry, most plans should cover the following key elements.

1. Site description and activities

Start with an overview of your site layout, processes and the materials handled. This helps contextualise where odours might arise.

2. Identification of odour sources

Clearly identify all potential sources of odour on site – for example, sludge tanks, waste stockpiles, or open treatment basins.

3. Odour risk assessment

Assess the likelihood and potential impact of odour from each source, considering factors like proximity to sensitive receptors, meteorological conditions and historical complaints.

4. Control measures

Document the systems and technologies you have in place to control odour. This may include:

• Source control – for example, chemical dosing using Probe’s ProActive™.
• Airborne treatment – for example, deploying AiroPure® or AiroNaut™ misting systems.
• Containment – covering tanks or enclosing processes.
• Operational practices – for example, reducing material holding times or adjusting work schedules.

5. Monitoring and record-keeping

Explain how you will monitor odour levels (using site inspections, sniff tests or VOC sensors), and how you will document findings. Ongoing records are essentials for regulatory compliance and community reassurance.

6. Compliant handling procedure

Outline a clear process for responding to odour complaints, including how complaints are logged, investigated and followed up.

Getting started: Probe’s Odour Management Plan template

Writing an Odour Management Plan from scratch and feel overwhelming – especially if you’re not sure what regulators are looking for. That’s why we’ve created a free OMP template designed to help you get started quickly and easily.

Our template follows Environment Agency guidance and includes pre-structured sections covering all essential elements, from odour sources mapping to control strategies and compliant logging. It’s fully editable, so you can adapt it to your site and operations.

If you’re unsure how to complete and section, or need assistance identifying the right odour control technologies for your site, just get in touch. We’ll work with you to create a tailored, compliant and effective plan that fits your business.

At Probe Industries, we believe the best odour control strategies start with a clear understanding – and a well-documented plan. With our expert support and proven technologies, you can stay ahead of odour problems before they cause disruption.

Odour Management Plan

Prepared by: [Your Company Name]

Site Name: [Insert Site Name]

Site Address: [Insert Full Address]

Permit Number (If Applicable): [Insert Permit Number]

Date: [Insert Date]

1. Introduction

This Odour Management Plan outlines the approach taken by [Company Name] to identify, assess, manage and monitor odour emissions at [Site Name]. This plan is designed to:

• Minimise odour emissions to air.
• Prevent off-site odour nuisance
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Provide clear procedures for monitoring and complaints

2. Site Description 

• Site activities [Brief overview of site operations]
• Site layout [Include reference to site plan/map showing odour sources and nearby receptors]
• Operating hours: [e.g., Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 18:00]
• Nearby sensitive receptors:

3. Odour Sources And Risk Assessment

4. Odour Control Measures

a) Source Control

e.g.:

• Use of odour neutralisers (e.g., ProActive)
• Minimising storage time for organic waste
• Process optimisation to reduce anaerobic conditions

b) Containment

e.g.:

• Enclosed tanks and buildings
• Negative air pressure systems
• Sealed transport containers

c) Treatment Systems

e.g.:

• AiroPure or AiroNaut misting systems
• Biofilters or carbon filters
• Scrubber systems (where applicable)

5. Monitoring and Reporting

e.g.:

a) Routine inspections

b) Instrumental monitoring

c) Record keeping

6. Odour Complaint Procedure

a) Receiving Complaints

• All complaints logged with time, date, name, location and nature of complaint

b) Investigating Complaints

• Immediate site walkover and source check
• Cross-reference with weather data
• Log findings and actions taken

c) Responding to Complainant

• Acknowledge complaint within 24 hours
• Provide updates and resolution (if appropriate)

d) Complaint Log Template

7. Plan Review

This Odour Management Plan will be reviewed annually or following:

• Significant changes in site activity
• Receipt of odour complaints
• Regulatory feedback

Next Review Date: [Insert Date]