A wastewater evaporation system for spray evaporating water comprising: a wastewater feed inlet; a pump, wherein the wastewater feed inlet is fluidly connected to the pump and wherein the pump is fluidly connected to an inlet of a manifold; a drip orifice, wherein the manifold is fluidly connected to the drip orifice; a container, wherein an upper portion of the container is enclosed with a demister element; a packing and/or tray system disposed within the container, wherein the drip orifice discharges water droplets onto the packing and/or tray system; a discharge outlet, wherein a bottom of the container is fluidly connected to the discharge outlet; and an air system, wherein the air system discharges air flow counter to the water droplets from the drip orifice is disclosed. A method of spray evaporating water while limiting emission of particles regulated as pollutants is also disclosed.