Aspects of wastewater characterization, in particular settling velocity distributions, and its relevance on the performance of physical unit processes such as sedimentation and filtration are described and used to explain why satellite treatment makes sense. The satellite CSO treatment facilities at Columbus, Georgia which have undergone more than 5 years of peer reviewed intensive monitoring are described and used as a case example to highlight the benefits and significant cost savings that accrue from implementing satellite treatment systems within collection systems.