Protecting Water Resources: A Multifaceted Approach

By William T. Hensley & David Lepre P.E.

As the cost of and demand for potable water increases, engineers, planners, and utilities need reliable, innovative methods for protecting this valuable resource. Cost-effective and environmentally sustainable wastewater collection and treatment systems are vital components in the water cycle and therefore require careful analysis.

While there is no single solution for every site or community, traditional “big-pipe” systems are rarely appropriate in sensitive environments; fortunately, today there are more options than ever to consider. These alternatives must fit into capital and operational budgets, address topographical constraints, account for operations personnel and equipment limitations, and minimize environmental risk.

When wastewater collection and treatment systems are properly analyzed, designed, installed, and operated, they can achieve all of these critical objectives. This paper, by Orenco’s Bill Hensley, describes proven low-impact options for consideration when selecting decentralized and onsite wastewater collection and treatment systems.