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Wastewater Treatment

Safeguarding water quality and transforming wastewater into a valuable resource

Wastewater treatment

Wastewater is no longer waste — it is a valuable resource in a circular economy, essential to protecting public health and the environment. As infrastructure ages and regulations tighten, utilities must manage risk, improve performance and unlock new value from every drop.

With deep technical expertise across treatment, biosolids, resource recovery and reuse, we support clients through the full asset lifecycle — from planning and design to optimization and operations — protecting water quality, recovering resources and strengthening resilient, day-to-day performance.

Industry leadership

Recognized global leader in wastewater treatment plant design, ranked No.1 by ENR, with proven technical insight across complex wastewater programs. 

End-to-end delivery

Integrated technical, program management and operational capabilities applied from planning and design through construction and long-term operations to support resilient, high-performing assets.

Digital & AI

Advanced digital tools and AI-driven insights used to optimize energy and chemical use, reduce emissions and improve treatment plant performance across the asset lifecycle. 

Our solutions

Protecting water quality, recovering resources and strengthening resilient, day-to-day performance.

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Overhead view of adjacent water treatment basins with different water colors, divided by concrete channels and walkways.

Nutrient Removal & Liquids Treatment

Designing and optimizing wastewater treatment solutions that recover nutrients and protect receiving waters. From advanced biological treatment to process intensification, our solutions support clients with stringent water quality limits while improving performance and operational efficiency.

Large agricultural field with rows of crops being watered by overhead sprinkler irrigation systems.

Wastewater Residuals & Biosolids

More utilities are managing wastewater residuals as a valuable resource. We deliver biosolids solutions that reduce volume, recover energy and nutrients and meet regulatory priorities like PFAS.

Water spilling evenly over a concrete overflow structure in a wetland environment.

Natural Treatment Systems

From wetland-based treatment to aquifer replenishment, we apply nature-based solutions to improve water quality. These systems deliver resilient, low-energy treatment while supporting climate adaptation and long-term environmental quality.

Two technicians wearing protective clothing and hard hats collect and analyze water samples beside a treatment basin.

Odor Control & Air Quality

An industry leader in odor and corrosion control modeling, we support utilities to control odors and emissions from wastewater facilities and networks, protecting operators, communities and air quality compliance.

Person wearing a hard hat and high‑visibility vest stands on a walkway, writing notes beside a water treatment basin.

Wet Weather Treatment

Managing wet weather flows with resilient, cost-effective treatment strategies. From high-rate treatment to integrated hydraulic and process modeling, we reduce overflow risks while maintaining performance during peak conditions.

Close-up of a person wearing protective goggles and gloves carefully observing a liquid sample in a laboratory setting.

PFAS & Emerging Contaminants

Addressing PFAS and emerging contaminants through targeted treatment, technology evaluation and regulatory support, enabling proactive management of evolving biosolids disposal and reuse challenges.

Overhead view of a water treatment facility with circular treatment tanks positioned next to natural wetlands.

Energy Optimization & Decarbonization

Enabling wastewater facilities to reduce energy use and emissions. Our wastewater treatment plant solutions integrate energy planning, biogas utilization and decarbonization strategies to support progress toward energy and carbon neutrality.

Interior of a water treatment facility with stainless steel tanks, filtration units, pumps, and blue piping.

Industrial Water

Managing complex wastewater production processes for industrial clients. We deliver industrial wastewater treatment and reuse solutions that reduce risk, improve performance and support regulatory compliance.

Water Reuse

Water Reuse

Through potable and non-potable reuse solutions, we safely transform wastewater into reliable water supplies, strengthening resilience, compliance and public trust while reducing reliance on limited freshwater sources.

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How we safeguard water quality and transform wastewater into a valuable resource.

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Jacobs supports utilities to shift from pollution control to water resource recovery by integrating advanced treatment, energy optimization, biosolids reuse and nutrient recovery. Our solutions improve performance, reduce lifecycle costs and create long-term environmental and community value. 

Jacobs works with utilities to respond to aging infrastructure, wet weather impacts and tighter regulations around nutrients and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. We deliver planning, modeling and treatment solutions that strengthen resilience, protect water quality and support future regulatory needs.

Jacobs is a recognized leader in addressing wastewater treatment emissions. We combine energy optimization, resource recovery and deep expertise in process emissions to reduce energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions — like methane and nitrous oxide — and support progress toward energy and carbon neutrality. 

Jacobs designs and optimizes nutrient removal solutions that protect water quality and receiving waters. From advanced biological treatment to process intensification and modeling, we enable utilities to meet stringent nitrogen and phosphorus limits reliably and efficiently.

Jacobs uses digital solutions like Intelligent O&M and Aqua DNA to help utilities optimize wastewater operations. By combining data, analytics and insights from the 300+ facilities we operate, our solutions improve energy and chemical use, support proactive decision-making and enhance system reliability and efficiency. 

  • Digital & AI for Water

    From Intelligent O&M to Aqua DNA, Jacobs applies digital and AI to enhance how water systems are planned, delivered and operated, making infrastructure more responsive, more efficient and more resilient.

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    Digital Water

Full lifecycle services for wastewater treatment

All Services

  • Design for Design-Build

    Reducing risk and accelerating delivery by connecting strategy, design and construction from day one

  • Program Management

    Delivering complex programs with clarity and confidence

  • Construction Management

    From early strategy to on-site delivery, we make projects safer, buildable and more efficient

  • Master Planning for Water

    Developing long-term plans and strategies that strengthen resilience and support growing communities.

  • Consulting & Advisory

    Strategic insight and advisory expertise that shapes decisions, unlocks investment and accelerates delivery

  • Alternative Delivery

    Delivering complex projects faster by aligning teams, risk and outcomes from the start

  • Operations & Maintenance

    Keeping water, wastewater, roadway and facility systems running safely, reliably and efficiently

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Water

Environmental

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