On paper, conventional wastewater treatment looks like the cheaper choice. Buy the equipment, add some chemicals, swap out resins or membranes as needed. Simple.

But anyone who runs these systems knows the costs don’t stop at installation. They keep showing up—month after month, year after year—in chemicals, hauling contracts, maintenance, and downtime. By the time you add it all up, the “cheaper” option usually ends up costing far more.

The High Cost of Downtime and Maintenance

Ion exchange and membrane systems need constant attention. Resins have to be regenerated and eventually replaced. Membranes foul, scale, or wear out.

Every time that happens, someone has to stop what they’re doing, shut the system down, and fix it. That’s labor, lost production, and more money out the door. Even “planned” maintenance isn’t free—it disrupts schedules and adds overhead.

Recurring vs. One-Time Costs

The problem with conventional systems is the way costs repeat:

• Chemicals for dosing, month after month

• Sludge hauling, truck after truck

• Resin and membrane swaps on a regular cycle

• Labor to keep everything running

It’s a treadmill that never stops.

ElectraMet works differently. It’s a one-time investment that doesn’t require the same endless stream of consumables and sludge management. Once it’s in place, the system runs with minimal upkeep. Over the long term, that difference compounds into real savings.

Efficiency Through Automation

Conventional treatment also demands constant oversight. Operators are checking chemical levels, monitoring equipment, troubleshooting problems. Human error is always in the mix.

ElectraMet automates that oversight. Built-in monitoring (ElectraLink®) flags issues before they turn into downtime. Instead of reacting to problems, facilities can stay ahead of them. Less complexity, less labor, and more reliable performance.

Waste That Pays You Back

The biggest difference is what happens with the metals. Conventional treatment neutralizes them, turns them into sludge, and sends them off for disposal. ElectraMet captures them as pure metal—ready for reuse or resale.

That’s not just cost avoidance. It’s value creation. What used to be a liability now offsets material costs or generates revenue.

Where ElectraMet Fits

When you look at total cost of ownership, the math is simple. Conventional systems keep taking. ElectraMet gives back.

Lower operating costs. Less downtime. Safer operations. And metals recovered as an asset, not a waste.

See how advanced electrochemical treatment delivers ROI year after year—download our eBook or talk with our team.