Construction versus modernisation of a wastewater treatment plant – what is the difference?

There are two concepts that often come up in the water and sewage industry: construction of a treatment plant and modernisation of a treatment plant. Although both processes share the same objective i.e. an effective and safe wastewater treatment, they differ fundamentally in terms of the scope of work, costs, implementation time and technological challenges.

This article clarifies the differences between them and concludes when it is advisable to choose one of these options.

Construction of a wastewater treatment plant – starting from scratch

The construction of a treatment plant means the implementation of a completely new investment, usually on undeveloped area. The process involves:

• preparation of a technological and construction design,
• obtaining environmental and water law permits,
• preparation of infrastructure (roads, power supply, connections),
• construction of process facilities (e.g. settling tanks, SBR reactors, pumping stations),
• installation of equipment and automation systems,
• start-up and commissioning of the treatment plant.

For whom?

Construction is necessary when a particular municipality, residential district, industrial site or recreational facility is not yet equipped with any sewage infrastructure. It requires a considerable investment, but allows the treatment plant to be fully adapted to present and future needs.

Modernisation of the sewage treatment plant – new life for the old facility

Modernisation means reconstruction, extension or improvement of an existing wastewater treatment plant. It is most often the result of failure to meet current wastewater discharge standards, increased wastewater load (e.g. development of a residential area or plant), technical wear and tear of equipment, or the need to improve energy efficiency or automation.

The scope of modernisation may vary – from replacing blowers, retrofitting an SBR reactor, to full implementation of a SCADA system with alarms and AI prediction.

For whom?

Modernisation is the right choice when the existing treatment plant shows potential for development, and its structure allows for flexible adaptation to new technical, legal and environmental requirements.

When to construct and when to modernise?

Choose construction, when:

• there is no existing wastewater treatment plant yet,
• the area is undeveloped,
• the investment needs to be adapted to future development.

Modernise when:

• the existing treatment plant has potential for extension,
• your objective is to increase efficiency and comply with new standards,
• you strive for shorter implementation times and lower costs.

NEWATER – your partner in modernisation and construction

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning the construction of a new treatment plant, or just want to upgrade the existing infrastructure, NEWATER will assist you at every stage – we’ll prepare an audit and technical assessment, manage the preparation of the technological design, select the equipment, and install the SCADA system and automation. NEWATER Service teams will carry out the necessary servicing and recommend the best solutions.