This talk will address techniques used to evaluate the value of two emerging wastewater treatment technologies proposed as sustainable alternatives to aerated activated sludge beds in waste water treatment plants. Results from a case study executed at demonstration scale in a wastewater treatment plant and in collaboration with industrial professionals will be presented. In particular, the outcomes from several assessments including energy balances and Life Cycle Analyses will be presented and evaluated for their impact relative to tradtional metrics used by industry experts to reach decision points on the inclusion or exclusion of new and emerging technology aimed at improving sustainability.