The Opportunity in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
In the United States, the vast majority of wastewater treatment facilities are not being used to their full potential. Their local communities are missing out on major opportunities for economic development and revenue generation, green jobs and education, digital innovation, enhanced biodiversity, clean energy, resource circularity and climate resilience.
Currently in Canada:
of biosolids are simply landfilled or incinerated
of WWTPs simply flare their biogas or don't capture it at all
What is an Ecofactory?
Ecofactory® is a new way to think of your municipal wastewater treatment plant. It transforms what was once a traditional and linear treatment utility into a producer of sustainable resources and green energy, generating positive environmental impact, profitability and resilience, and a circular economy in your community.
How does an Ecofactory work?
Becoming an Ecofactory is a journey towards sustainability. Your municipal wastewater treatment plant can embark on this path by committing to various initiatives that promote efficiency, resource recovery and environmental stewardship. You may adopt these initiatives at different paces, focusing first on areas most relevant to your facility. Veolia will guide you through this transformation, helping you leverage your WWTP's potential to maximize economic and environmental benefits with a positive impact on the local community.
Municipal World Shares Podcast
The ecofactory approach: Turning wastewater into opportunity
The Journey to an Ecofactory
Green Energy and Efficiency
Through energy efficiency, proactive maintenance and advanced processes for energy generation and storage, the Ecofactory not only creates sustainable green energy, but can export any excess to the community.
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Facility maintenance and equipment optimization
- Waste energy recovery / Anaerobic digestion / Biogas generation
- Organic waste codigestion
- Renewable energy generation
- Energy storage
Water Reuse and Recycling
The clean, treated water byproduct from the Ecofactory is reclaimed for reuse, for groundwater recharge, or for the creation of saltwater intrusion barriers.
- Preservation of precious water resources
- Effluent reused for agricultural or urban irrigation
- Recharge groundwater reserves
- Support the stability of local ecology
Resource Recovery
Ecofactories recover valuable nutrients from the wastewater treatment process, minimize the solid waste they landfill, and create local beneficial use opportunities.
- Recover value from what was once considered waste
- Minimize landfill
- Support a sustainable, local and circular economy
Decarbonization
Greenhouse gas emissions, especially fugitive emissions from inefficient practices, are minimized by the Ecofactory, helping to mitigate climate change and improve local air quality.
- Electrification of vehicle fleets
- Stormwater is sustainably managed by green infrastructure
- Resources are recovered to avoid emissions that would occur outside the Ecofactory
Community and Environmental Stewardship
Green jobs and education opportunities are created for your community. Ecofactories also support local biodiversity and the surrounding natural environment, while maximizing their own climate resiliency.
- Workforce initiatives like Veolia Academy
- Community tours and educational workshops
- Biodiversity enhancement initiatives
- Investment in infrastructure enhancements to bolster climate resilience
Veolia's Partnership Approach
Ecofactories should be addressed through a long-term partnership, where the benefits of incremental improvements can be realized over time without disruption to existing operations.
Not every wastewater treatment plant in North America is readily positioned to achieve all five pillars of Veolia’s Ecofactory concept.
Leverage Veolia's unique expertise at the nexus of water, waste, and energy to craft a tailored plan for your community's sustainable future.
A Proven Track Record
water & wastewater facilities managed in the U.S. and Canada
gallons of water saved for clients worldwide
tons of carbon emissions avoided for clients worldwide