Conventional reticulated sewage collection and centralized treatment in large-scale plants with ocean or river outfalls have protected public health in urban areas. Particularly in urban fringes several important environmental and economic factors create a logical context for the increasing utilization of small-scale localized sewage treatment and disposal options. These include high costs for sewer extension, timing problems, high potential and demonstrated water quality impacts of conventional standard final effluent on receiving water, disproportionate expenditure on sewers compared to treatment plants and intensifying needs for wastewater recycling. Localized treatment and disposal or re-use is not without constraints, requiring high performance disinfection and nutrient removal. Ecomax technology achieves these objectives at acceptable economics for single residence scale and potentially up to several thousand EP. For this technology and others which are emerging to meet development needs and deliver environmental benefits, support and genuine recognition are needed from developers, planners, engineers and government agencies, regulating environmental quality and water and wastewater servicing.