Wastewater
Industry Overview
The U.S. wastewater industry is shifting toward advanced, data-driven treatment and compliance. Utilities face growing challenges from aging assets, nutrient limits, and climate-driven stress.
A Sector Under Regulatory and Infrastructure Stress
Aging wastewater assets — many built between the 1950s and 1980s — are reaching the limits of their mechanical and process reliability. Utilities face expanding nutrient, biosolids, and contaminant regulations that require major plant upgrades and new operational strategies.
Technical Drivers:
-
Mechanical Deterioration: Corrosion in clarifiers, failing blowers, obsolete pumps, and aging SCADA systems increase downtime and O&M cost.
-
Nutrient Limits (TN, TP, Ammonia): Tightening discharge requirements demand BNR/ENR upgrades, advanced filtration, and improved aeration efficiency.
-
Emerging Contaminants (PFAS & Micropollutants): Utilities prepare for future mandates through activated carbon, ion exchange, and AOP technologies.
-
Collection System Stress: Rising I&I, hydraulic overloads, and SSOs push utilities toward system modeling, lift station redundancy, and targeted rehabilitation.
-
Climate Impacts: More intense storms, flooding, and peak flows require equalization basin expansion and treatment capacity resiliency.
Technology Evolution and Operational Modernization
Modern wastewater treatment is becoming increasingly digital, automated, and energy-efficient. Utilities are integrating advanced process controls, smart sensors, and predictive analytics to improve compliance and optimize resource use.
Shaping Technical Trends:
-
Advanced Treatment: Adoption of MBR/MBBR/IFAS retrofits, high-rate clarification, enhanced nutrient removal, and UV/ozone disinfection.
-
Digital Process Optimization: Real-time aeration control, machine-learning-based nutrient modeling, and sensor networks for DO, ORP, ammonia, and turbidity.
-
Predictive Maintenance: Vibration/temperature monitoring, asset criticality scoring, and failure probability algorithms to reduce downtime.
-
Energy Efficiency: Fine-bubble aeration, VFD-driven pumping, biogas-to-energy CHP systems, and heat recovery loops integrated into sludge digestion.
Strategic Reinvestment and Resilience Planning
Federal and state funding programs (SRF, WIFIA, IIJA) are driving large-scale upgrades and long-term capital strategies. Utilities are adopting lifecycle planning and asset management frameworks to extend system reliability and increase climate resilience.
Investment Priorities:
-
Treatment Plant Modernization: New aeration systems, membrane filtration, clarifier rehabilitation, and conversion of aging lagoons to mechanical treatment.
-
Collection System Rehabilitation: Trenchless relining, interceptor capacity upgrades, smart sewer monitoring, and manhole sealing to reduce I&I.
-
Wet-Weather & Climate Resilience: Storm surge protection, backup power systems, hydraulic modeling of extreme events, and wet-weather treatment trains.
-
Biosolids & Resource Recovery: Expansion of anaerobic digestion, thermal drying, nutrient recovery systems, and energy-positive facility designs.
Actionable Insights for the Wastewater Industry
Use intelligence from treatment plants, permits, funding programs, and infrastructure records to make informed decisions across the U.S. wastewater market.
Reliable, Verified Data and Analytics
Our insights are built on verified public data — sourced from decades of utility, financial, regulatory, and environmental records to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Support for Wastewater Utilities and Industry Partners
We collaborate with utilities, consultants, and technology providers to deliver clear, connected intelligence that supports capital planning, compliance, and long-term system resilience.
Efficient, Cost-Effective Intelligence Solutions
Access targeted analytics and dashboards without the cost and delays of traditional consulting. We focus on delivering insights that matter to your operations, compliance goals, and infrastructure planning.