Why might older wastewater treatment facilities struggle to keep up with current demands?

Older wastewater treatment facilities often struggle to meet current demands primarily because their capacity is less than that of modern facilities. Over time, population growth and industrialization have increased the volume of wastewater generated. However, many older facilities were designed to handle much lower flow rates and lower contaminant loads than what is typical today. As communities expand, the infrastructure that was once adequate can become overwhelmed, leading to operational challenges and potential non-compliance with regulatory standards.

While updates and maintenance are essential for any wastewater treatment facility, the reality is that many older plants have not undergone significant renovations or capacity improvements to meet the evolving needs of the population they serve. Water quality requirements have also become more stringent, necessitating advanced treatment processes that older facilities may not be equipped to provide. Therefore, the answer accurately reflects the challenges faced by aging infrastructure in today's context.