Wastewater's New Blueprint: Speed Meets Century-Long Stamina

AUSTIN, Texas – April 23, 2026 – A strategic partnership announced today is set to redefine the landscape of water infrastructure, blending the rapid deployment of modern modular systems with the enduring strength of traditional concrete construction. Integrated Water Services, Inc. (IWS), a specialist in modular water treatment, has joined forces with CROM, a leader in post-tensioned concrete structures, to launch NXT|MBR™. The system introduces a new category of infrastructure dubbed the "Permanent Concrete Modular" system, aiming to solve a long-standing dilemma for municipalities and developers.

For decades, those commissioning wastewater treatment facilities faced a difficult choice: build a permanent, site-built concrete plant, a process known for its multi-year timelines and massive upfront capital investment, or opt for a faster, more flexible modular system, often built from steel or thermoplastic and sometimes perceived as a less permanent solution. The NXT|MBR™ system is engineered to eliminate this trade-off, offering a municipal-grade foundation designed to last for over 50 years while leveraging the speed and efficiency of modular design.

Bridging a Decades-Old Divide

The core challenge in modern infrastructure development is balancing speed with longevity. As communities expand and industries grow, the need for wastewater treatment capacity often outpaces the slow, complex process of traditional construction. Modular systems have gained significant traction to fill this gap, with over 430 such systems installed in the U.S. between 2021 and 2024. Their containerized, factory-built nature allows for rapid commissioning and scalability.

However, industry experts note a persistent "acceptance barrier" for some modular solutions, particularly for large-scale municipal projects where a 50- to 100-year service life is the standard. The NXT|MBR™ directly confronts this by building its modular units around a permanent, ACI-350 compliant concrete foundation. This approach provides the psychological and engineering assurance of a fixed, long-term asset that integrates seamlessly into a city's master plan.

"Historically, achieving permanent concrete infrastructure required a massive site-built effort that tied up capital for years," says Cody Phipps, CEO of IWS. "By integrating modular design with a concrete foundation, NXT|MBR offers a permanent-class asset that can be deployed with unprecedented speed."

This hybrid model streamlines the typically fragmented process involving separate engineering firms, contractors, and equipment suppliers, reducing project friction and accelerating delivery timelines.

The Engineering of Resilience

The durability of the NXT|MBR™ system hinges on the specialized expertise of CROM. The structural foundation is a post-tensioned concrete tank utilizing a shotcrete wall with an embedded steel diaphragm. This design is not just robust; it's specifically engineered to withstand the uniquely hostile environment of a wastewater treatment plant.

Wastewater facilities are highly corrosive environments. Microbes in the water release hydrogen sulfide gas, which oxidizes into sulfuric acid on concrete surfaces, leading to rapid deterioration. Furthermore, chlorides can penetrate porous concrete and corrode the internal steel rebar, compromising the structure from within. The NXT|MBR™ system's structure adheres to ACI-350, the American Concrete Institute's code for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures, which mandates designs that are dense, durable, and highly resistant to chemical attack and liquid intrusion.

"By integrating CROM's ACI-350 compliant watertight tensioned shotcrete containment structures directly with IWS's MBR system through design/build delivery, we are able to reduce traditional design and construction durations while delivering a long-lasting treatment solution," said Bobby Oyenarte, PE, CEO of CROM. He added that the system represents "the future of resilient wastewater infrastructure."

From Cost Center to Revenue Stream

Beyond its structural innovation, the NXT|MBR™ system is designed to transform the fundamental economics of wastewater. At its heart is advanced Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology, a state-of-the-art process that uses physical membrane barriers to separate solids from water. This produces an exceptionally clean effluent in a fraction of the physical footprint required by conventional treatment methods.

This high-quality recycled water, often called "purple-pipe" water, turns wastewater from a regulatory liability into a valuable commodity. In many water-stressed regions, this effluent can be sold for non-potable uses like agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial cooling, and dust control. This creates a significant new revenue stream for utility owners, helping to offset operational costs and fund future infrastructure investments.

The system's modularity further enhances its financial appeal. According to Phipps, the ability to deploy capacity in 250,000 gallons-per-day (GPD) increments allows owners to "align their infrastructure investment directly with their project's growth." This phased approach minimizes initial capital outlay and reduces the financial risk associated with large, monolithic projects, making advanced water treatment more accessible to a wider range of communities and developers.

A Strategic Play in a Thirsty World

The launch of NXT|MBR™ is timely, arriving as communities across the globe grapple with the dual pressures of aging infrastructure and increasing water scarcity. With nearly half the world's population facing water stress, the imperative to reuse and conserve every drop has never been greater. Systems that facilitate safe and reliable water recycling are no longer a luxury but a critical component of sustainable community planning.

This initiative is also a calculated move by IWS's majority shareholder, Sciens Water Opportunities Management. Since its formation in 2018, the private equity firm has focused on acquiring and developing companies that address the most significant challenges in the U.S. water sector. The acquisition of IWS in 2020 and the subsequent strategic investment in MBR technology were clear steps toward building a national platform for advanced water treatment. The NXT|MBR™ launch represents a culmination of this strategy, creating a unique, high-value offering that directly targets market needs for durable, scalable, and financially viable water reuse solutions.