Is Onsite Wastewater Treatment The Way to Go?

Environmental Benefits of Onsite vs Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems

Onsite wastewater treatments offer several environmental benefits compared to municipal wastewater treatment systems. One significant advantage is the reduction of energy consumption, as they require less energy for operation and maintenance by relying on natural processes to treat wastewater. These localized systems also minimize the need for extensive sewer infrastructure which can be costly and resource-intensive to install and maintain. Additionally, onsite systems can help recharge local ground-water supplies, promoting a sustainable water cycle by allowing treated water to percolate back into the soil.

In contrast, municipal wastewater treatment, while effective at handling large volumes of wastewater, often involves significant energy usage and chemical treatments that can have adverse environmental impacts. Transporting wastewater to centralized facilities also increases the risk of leaks and contamination along the way. Moreover, they can be overwhelmed during heavy rainfall leading to combined sewer overflow that discharges untreated sewage to natural water bodies.

Onsite treatment systems mitigate these risks by managing wastewater at its source, thereby reducing the potential for environmental pollution and promoting greater resilience in local systems.