A decentralized treatment plant built around containerized units.
Debunking common myths about decentralized water and wastewater treatment can help stakeholders make more informed decisions
As the challenge of water scarcity grows worldwide, municipalities, developers, and industries are turning to alternative, localized water and wastewater treatment to provide reliable access to safe water and sanitation.
One increasingly popular approach is decentralized water and wastewater treatment, which offers unique benefits over centralized systems. In decentralized treatment, small-scale plants are placed near the point of supply or use, increasing efficiency by eliminating the need for long pipelines to connect communities with centralized plants. Decentralization also provides redundancy in the event of a natural disaster or plant failure.
However, several misconceptions about decentralized treatment sometimes act as barriers to implementation. Let’s review some of the most common myths — and the facts that debunk them.
Myth: Decentralized treatment is less reliable than centralized systems.
Fact: Decentralized systems that use plants like Fluence’s containerized Aspiral™ Flex and NIROBOX™ feature advanced technologies that ensure high reliability and resilience, especially during emergencies or natural disasters. These smaller plants localize treatment to the communities they serve and are designed to function independently, even if other parts of the network fail. Fluence’s decentralized plants include the Smart Operations software suite, offering full automation with remote monitoring and operation, optimizing performance and reducing the likelihood of breakdowns.
Myth: Decentralized systems are only for remote or rural areas and can’t handle large-scale urban demands.
Fact: Decentralized systems are suitable for both urban and rural settings, especially where space is limited, infrastructure is aging, or development is rapid. Modular and scalable, they can grow with urban populations, effectively treating residential, industrial, and municipal wastewater. Fluence’s containerized systems are “plug-and-play,” allowing easy scale-up as needed and enabling users to start small to control costs. They’re ideal for new developments or for retrofitting existing plants, and are perfect for areas with strict environmental rules. Their compact design fits well in crowded cities, and they can supplement existing centralized systems for peak loads or new growth without disruption.
Myth: Decentralized systems are too expensive to implement and maintain.
Fact: Decentralized systems typically have lower initial capital costs because they eliminate the need for extensive pipeline networks. Fluence’s containerized units are also cost-effective because they are more easily scalable and portable than traditional centralized plants. Having the flexibility to scale up as needed reduces the capital and maintenance costs of operating a larger plant that is not being used to its full capacity. And, because Fluence’s decentralized systems are designed for easy maintenance, costs are reduced over the equipment’s life cycle.
Myth: Decentralized systems can’t meet stringent regulatory standards.
Fact: Fluence’s Aspiral™ Flex features membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) technology which produces high-quality effluent that complies with or exceeds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and global regulatory standards, including stringent nitrogen and phosphorus removal requirements. Aspiral™ Bio and Aspiral™ UF units can be combined to treat wastewater to potable standards. Fluence’s NIROBOX™ water treatment plants include models that can treat seawater, brackish water, or fresh water to deliver high-quality drinking water that complies with EPA standards.
Myth: Decentralized treatment is not environmentally sustainable.
Fact: Decentralized systems minimize environmental impact by reducing energy consumption associated with transporting or pumping water and wastewater through a network of pipes over long distances. In addition, Fluence plants include process optimization features to enhance energy efficiency. By treating wastewater thoroughly, with high nutrient removal, Fluence’s Aspiral™ Flex helps protect the environment. The effluent can also be reused, reducing the burden on other water sources.
Myth: Decentralized systems are difficult to manage.
Fact: Fluence’s smart operational features, including remote monitoring and control via apps, simplify management and reduce the need for on-site expertise, making these systems accessible even for smaller communities that may lack the technical capacity and know-how to manage the complexities of a modern treatment plant.
By getting a better understanding of decentralized systems, communities and industries can make more informed decisions about implementing decentralized water and wastewater treatment solutions. Learn how Fluence’s solutions deliver reliability, scalability, and sustainability. Contact our water treatment team to learn more about our smart, containerized decentralized water and wastewater treatment solutions.
