Municipal managers have seen a steady increase in the cost of any wastewater-related operations. They may not realize that the increases are caused by rapid urban growth, lack of efficient, sustainable options, and inadequate treatment – leading to outbreaks of disease, drive up the cost of water treatment. Also, wastewater treatment plants are developing more, strict guidelines, regulating what chemicals can be in the waste – charging huge fines and premiums when restroom operators come to process waste. We’ve previously discussed how the sanitation industry has experienced rising costs. Today, we’ll look at the driving forces behind the rise in the prices of wastewater treatment.
Why Is the Wastewater Industry Facing Cost Issues?
Rapid Urban Growth
A hike in population means there is more strain on the wastewater system. As a result, the cost of the treatment increases as the influx of waste increases. Developing countries that have struggled to build sufficient treatment plants have been devastated by the spread of waterborne diseases.
A cholera epidemic spread from Peru throughout Latin America in the early ‘90s, sickening hundreds of thousands of people and killing thousands. Epidemiologists grew concerned when the deadly disease reached the border of the populous nation of Brazil, famous for its crowded cities.
We realize now that significant shifts and growth in populations stress the wastewater industry.
Lack of Infrastructure
It’s incredibly expensive to build and staff waste treatment facilities. It’s not just that some areas lack essential infrastructure, but their infrastructure is aging and needs to be updated and replaced. These costs are prohibitive in many communities. Therefore, wastewater treatment costs rise.
Changing Technology
Some have expressed concerns that wastewater plants are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Thus, emergency response planning has found its way into the wastewater vernacular, and not just for natural disasters.
Finding ways to recover energy is critical. What was once only considered a waste treatment plant might now be thought of as a resource recovery organization. However, the use of sustainable technologies adds even more expense for wastewater facilities. These costs are passed down to you.
Funding and Regulation
Water treatment facilities have little control over utility funding or the availability of municipal capital. That, combined with a decrease in non-revenue water and water main problems, could drastically affect a plant’s budget.
Federal and state authorities push for improved regulations such as enhanced nutrient removal and drinking water quality standards with spending and funding approval. It’s up to the plant or treatment facility to meet those guidelines and that’s no easy or inexpensive task!
A Sanitation Solution
Satellite Industries offers eco-friendly deodorizers that are treatment plant friendly. The Eco Blue checks all the boxes on the tips and tricks for deodorizers, specifically for being biocide and formaldehyde-free. There are no hazardous materials and holds a rich blue color. It has revolutionary, patented malodor control technology that removes the chemical process most current deodorizers use by naturally absorbing unpleasant smells.
Although there is little we can do to slow down the rising costs we’re seeing in 2021, we can help reduce OUR business costs by choosing deodorizers, and other portable restroom-related chemicals that are easily processed at waste treatment facilities.