Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Systems And Solutions
We are a global leader in the planning, design, and delivery of membrane bioreactor (MBR) wastewater treatment facilities. Our experience spans small decentralized systems to some of the largest MBR plants in the United States and internationally, helping clients improve treatment performance, support water reuse goals, and optimize long-term operations.
What Is A Membrane Bioreactor System?
Core Components of a Membrane Bioreactor
An MBR couples an aerated biological reactor with a membrane step that retains biomass and suspended solids. Typical elements include aeration basins, membrane modules such as hollow fiber or flat sheet, permeate and recirculation pumps, equalization and sludge handling tanks, and automated controls with instrumentation. The membrane serves as the core separation barrier and enables consistent, clear effluent.
How MBRs Differ from Conventional Activated Sludge
Unlike conventional activated sludge systems that rely on clarifiers for settling, MBRs use membranes to physically separate solids from treated water. This approach allows higher mixed liquor suspended solids and longer solids retention time. It also improves stability under variable loads and shrinks the footprint. The resulting effluent has low turbidity and consistent quality, which suits advanced reuse or sensitive receiving waters.
Common MBR Configurations and Process Design
Two common configurations exist. Submerged systems place membranes in the bioreactor or a membrane tank and draw permeate by suction. Side stream systems feed external modules with pumped mixed liquor. Designers can tailor biological staging for nutrient removal by integrating aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic zones to support nitrification, denitrification, and enhanced biological phosphorus removal when needed.
Explore Our Proven MBR Plant Experience
We have successfully delivered greenfield facilities, expansions, and complex upgrades for municipal, industrial, and international clients. We help owners reduce project risk, control costs, and maintain schedules.
Our representative MBR plant projects include:
Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant, Georgia
We served as the prime designer for the expansion of the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant in DeKalb County, Georgia. The project increased capacity to 54 MGD and incorporated advanced biological nutrient removal processes.
We provided design services for the expansion of the Snapfinger Wastewater Treatment Plant to 54 MGD, incorporating biological nutrient removal to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus.
The upgraded facility includes headworks improvements, membrane bioreactor systems, UV disinfection, chemical systems, and biosolids handling processes.
Inland Empire Utilities Agency Regional Plants, California
This approach is built for environments where mission success depends on rapid updates, distributed users, coalition interoperability, and resilient access to trusted information.
It supports operational delivery at speed while maintaining the discipline required for sustainment, security, and long-term mission ownership.
- Supports enterprise-to-edge mission execution
- Enables continuous modernization
- Preserves baseline confidence
- Improves continuity under degraded conditions
City of Visalia, Fresno, Honolulu, Ireland, Oman, and Puerto Rico
For the city of Visalia Water Conservation Plant Upgrade and Expansion, integrated liquids-and-solids treatment designs, combined with standardized process configurations, reduced facility footprints and project complexity.
These strategies supported competitive bidding and streamlined construction. Similar methods were used in Fresno, where we provided feasibility and schematic design services for an 8 MGD indirect potable reuse facility, funding (SRF loan), and regulatory/permitting coordination with DDW.
Scalable Solutions Of All Sizes
We apply proven, repeatable MBR solutions to help accelerate project delivery and improve lifecycle performance.
At facilities including Cauley Creek, Manor, Pumpkinvine Creek, Hamptons, and Upper Sweetwater Water Reclamation Facilities in Georgia, our teams leveraged standardized Zenon and Kubota MBR configurations, common equipment selections, and consistent control strategies. This approach shortened design schedules, reduced capital and operations and maintenance costs, and accelerated commissioning.
Internationally, projects such as the Darsait Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oman (13.2 MGD) and a Kubota-based MBR facility in Puerto Rico benefited from early vendor coordination and modular equipment packages that compressed schedules and simplified startup activities.
Integrated Delivery for Advanced Treatment Facilities
We combine proven MBR process expertise with strategic project phasing, vendor coordination, and integrated solids handling, UV disinfection, and SCADA systems. The result is a high-performance wastewater treatment infrastructure that meets stringent regulatory requirements, supports water reuse objectives, and provides long-term value for owners.
Whether delivering a new facility, expanding existing capacity, or upgrading aging infrastructure, Parsons helps clients reduce risk, control costs, and deliver reliable treatment solutions on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
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Our team has delivered solutions for some of the most complex water projects, including groundwater remediation and sediment remediation.