US Membrane Investment Backs Water Reuse Push

Aqua Membranes opens $6.6mn Tennessee plant as utilities expand reuse and seek domestic supply resilience

7 Nov 2025

Aqua Membranes will invest $6.6mn in a new manufacturing facility in Knoxville, Tennessee, as US utilities increase spending on water reuse and domestic supply chains.

The plant, expected to create about 94 jobs, will expand US production of reverse osmosis membranes, a key component in advanced water treatment systems used by municipalities and industrial operators. The company said the move responds to rising demand for membrane-based purification as water stress intensifies across parts of the country.

Water reuse has shifted from a niche option to a central element of long-term supply planning. Utilities are adding reuse projects to portfolios as drought conditions persist, populations grow and regulatory standards tighten. Federal agencies and industry bodies have identified reuse as a way to improve reliability, particularly in regions facing chronic shortages.

Reverse osmosis membranes remove salts and other contaminants, allowing treated wastewater or brackish water to meet drinking or industrial standards. Their performance and durability influence operating costs over decades, making efficiency gains a focus for utilities.

“This expansion reflects the growing need for reliable, efficient water treatment solutions made in the United States,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee when announcing the investment.

State officials described the project as both an economic development initiative and part of a broader infrastructure strategy. Domestic production also reduces exposure to shipping delays and supply chain disruptions that have affected water projects in recent years.

Aqua Membranes, which develops designs intended to lower energy use and reduce maintenance, operates in a competitive market. Larger groups, including DuPont, continue to invest in water treatment technologies, while smaller manufacturers seek to differentiate through efficiency and flexible production.

Challenges remain, including labour availability, material costs and higher construction expenses. Even so, the Tennessee expansion suggests manufacturers expect sustained demand for membrane systems as utilities embed reuse into long-term water planning and seek greater supply resilience.