Modular Wastewater Launch

Integrated Water Services and CROM said Thursday they launched NXT|MBR, a wastewater treatment system that pairs modular plant design with permanent concrete tanks. (prnewswire.com) The companies announced the product on April 23, 2026, from Austin, Texas, and described it as a new “Permanent Concrete Modular” category for water reclamation projects. IWS said the system is aimed at municipalities, developers and utility owners planning long-term wastewater and reuse capacity. (prnewswire.com) A membrane bioreactor cleans wastewater by using microbes to break down pollutants and a fine membrane to strain out solids, producing higher-quality treated water than many conventional setups. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says membrane bioreactors are used in wastewater plants because they can improve effluent quality and fit sites with tighter design constraints. (epa.gov) NXT|MBR combines that membrane process with CROM’s post-tensioned concrete structures, which the companies said are designed for corrosive wastewater environments and built to ACI 350 water-structure standards. IWS said the system is intended to deliver modular-style commissioning speed with “50-plus-year” concrete durability. (prnewswire.com) (integratedwaterservices.com) That pitch targets a familiar municipal tradeoff: faster deployment versus long asset life. IWS said modular wastewater systems can support phased growth without building full capacity upfront, while the concrete structure is meant to fit into long-term master plans. (integratedwaterservices.com) (prnewswire.com) The reuse angle is central. IWS said the treated effluent can be used as nonpotable “purple-pipe” water for irrigation and other uses, reducing demand for drinking-water supplies in places facing tighter water constraints. (prnewswire.com) (integratedwaterservices.com) CROM brings the tank side of that equation. The company says it has built and restored water infrastructure since 1953 and specializes in prestressed concrete tanks and shotcrete structural systems for water and wastewater facilities. (cromcorp.com) IWS has been building out its membrane-biological treatment business for several years. In January 2023, the company acquired M|MBR Systems, whose products included BluBox modular membrane bioreactor units for wastewater treatment and reuse. (businesswire.com) The companies did not disclose launch customers, contract values or installed capacity on April 23. For now, the announcement is a product-market bet that cities and developers will pay for faster delivery without giving up the permanence of a conventional concrete plant. (prnewswire.com)