3 utilities turning wastewater into opportunity with advanced treatment and reuse

Every day, water utilities face growing pressure to safeguard public health and protect the environment. With new nutrient and PFAS limits, rising energy costs and aging infrastructure, doing more with less has become the standard. Across the sector, one thing is clear: wastewater can no longer be viewed as waste. With existing treatment technologies, utilities are recovering water for reuse, generating energy, and returning cleaner water to the environment.

Below are three of the most pressing wastewater challenges utilities face today and how Stratmoor Hills, Key West Resort Utilities, and Beijing Water Group are using advanced treatment and reuse to overcome them.

Challenge: Meeting stricter water quality standards

Across the U.S. and around the world, utilities are facing tougher requirements to remove trace contaminants like PFAS from their wastewater. These pollutants are found in everyday materials from packaging to firefighting foam and are known as "forever chemicals,” which require advanced treatment processes that go beyond conventional methods.

To meet these standards, utilities are turning to modular, scalable treatment systems that integrate seamlessly with existing systems. With proven technologies, such as ion exchange systems, utilities can meet new limits without expanding their footprint or replacing existing infrastructure.

Customer spotlight: Stratmoor Hills, Colorado

When PFAS contamination was detected in a seasonal well near Stratmoor Hills, Colorado, the local utility needed a fast, effective way to protect its drinking water supply. Partnering with Xylem, the team implemented an advanced ion exchange system designed for rapid installation and reliable removal of PFAS compounds.

Today, the system removes all detectable PFCs to levels below 2 parts per trillion – delivering safe, clean water to the community and ensuring compliance with emerging regulations. With support from Xylem’s engineering and service teams, Stratmoor Hills is protecting public health while building a more resilient water future.

Challenge: Reducing nutrient discharge and protecting ecosystems

Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in treated wastewater can trigger algal blooms and harm ecosystems. As nutrient limits tighten, utilities are adopting biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems to meet regulatory goals and improve environmental stewardship.

Xylem’s modular BNR technologies make advanced treatment achievable for utilities of any size. These flexible, low-energy systems help operators enhance effluent quality and lay the groundwork for future water reuse and nutrient recovery.

Customer spotlight: Key West, Florida

In the island community of Key West, protecting the surrounding marine environment is a top priority – driving stricter nutrient discharge limits and an interest in water reuse. To meet these new standards and future-proof its infrastructure, Key West Resort Utilities (KWRU) selected the DAVCO™ Field-Erected Treatment Plant because of its ability to be constructed quickly and its flexibility to adapt along with KWRU’s growth strategy.

The prefabricated DAVCO field-erected treatment plant enables KWRU to meet stricter nutrient removal limits while also increasing treatment capacity and producing high-quality effluent for reuse applications. Today, the utility treats wastewater from residents, businesses and the city’s tourism surge – and reuses nearly 43.8 million gallons per year, selling reclaimed water to nearby institutions for irrigation. This approach helps protect coastal ecosystems, supports sustainable growth, and reduces water costs for the community.

Challenge: Turning wastewater into a resource

Across the globe, leading utilities are redefining wastewater – transforming it from a challenge into a valuable source of clean water and renewable energy. Achieving this vision requires precise, efficient treatment processes that keep energy use low and system performance high.

By combining advanced mixing technology with data-driven control, Xylem is helping utilities improve process stability, reduce energy use, and make large-scale water reuse a reality.

Customer spotlight: Beijing, China

In Beijing, one of the world’s largest wastewater treatment plants plays a crucial role in the city’s water reuse strategy. To enhance biological treatment and improve efficiency, Beijing Drainage Group partnered with Xylem to upgrade its process using high-efficiency Flygt mixers.

The new system improved oxygen transfer efficiency and reduced power consumption, helping deliver high-quality treated water for reuse. Today, Beijing’s reclaimed water supports irrigation, landscaping, and industry – reducing the strain on freshwater resources for future generations.

Advanced treatment and water reuse for a cleaner future

From Colorado to China, utilities are demonstrating that advanced treatment and reuse are essential to building resilient, sustainable water systems. With Xylem’s solutions and expertise, communities can achieve cleaner effluent, reduce energy and operating costs, and protect the environment – transforming today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities for a cleaner, more water-secure future.