Global Waste Water Treatment Market Outlook, 2028

The global wastewater treatment market is a part of the broader environmental industry and is influenced by various factors, including regulatory policies, technological advancements, population growth, urbanization trends, and industrial development. The wastewater treatment market is heavily influenced by environmental regulations and policies established by governments and regulatory bodies at the local, regional, and global levels. These regulations dictate the standards and requirements for wastewater treatment, which, in turn, drive demand for wastewater treatment technologies and services. Water is a finite and essential resource. Treating wastewater allows for the recovery of valuable resources, including water itself. In many cases, treated wastewater can be safely reused for irrigation, industrial processes, and even potable water supply, reducing the strain on freshwater sources. Wastewater treatment plays a crucial role in transforming wastewater into an effluent that can be reintroduced into the water cycle with minimal environmental harm or reused through a process known as water reclamation. The United Nations predicts that approximately 1.8 billion people will inhabit water-scarce regions, with two-thirds of the global population living in water-stressed areas. This places significant pressure on water and sewerage companies worldwide to achieve more with fewer resources, creating new business opportunities in wastewater treatment, focusing on efficient and sustainable water use. As the world gains a deeper understanding of the consequences of climate change and pollution, the importance of wastewater treatment and reclamation is set to increase. The necessity for water and wastewater treatment extends beyond municipal and agricultural needs to encompass critical industrial processes. Currently, more than 40% of the global population resides in regions marked by severe water stress. Given that only about 1% of the Earth's water is freshwater, nations grappling with acute water scarcity are compelled to undertake treatments like desalination to convert seawater into freshwater. For example, in March 2022, Saudi Arabia unveiled over sixty water treatment projects during the third MENA Desalination Projects Forum. These initiatives are expected to triple the country's desalination capacity by the end of 2027, highlighting the growing global emphasis on addressing water challenges through innovative treatment solutions.

According to the research report, “Global Water and Waste Water Treatment Market Outlook, 2028” the market is anticipated to cross USD 100 Billion by 2028, increasing from USD 70.47 Billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow with 6.90% CAGR by 2023-28. The expansion of the water and wastewater treatment market is propelled by various factors, including rapid population growth and urbanization, stringent regulations governing water treatment, a rising demand for fresh water resources, increased focus on water quality and public health, and the growing incidence of waterborne diseases. Additionally, there are significant growth prospects for providers of water and wastewater treatment systems due to the increasing demand for energy-efficient and advanced treatment technologies in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the market is expected to face notable obstacles in the form of high installation, maintenance, and operational costs. The aging and deterioration of existing water infrastructure pose major challenges to the market's growth. To address these challenges, companies in the market are forging partnerships with end-users to promote innovative technologies. Increased investments in research and development aimed at enhancing technology efficiency are anticipated to be driving factors for market growth. Moreover, the adoption of new water and wastewater treatment technologies by small and medium-sized businesses is creating growth opportunities. For instance, in December 2022, LTIMindtree Limited, a consulting and information technology Services Company, announced a strategic partnership with Yorkshire Water, a water treatment utility and water supply company. This collaboration aims to transform Yorkshire Water's operations across segments related to asset management, wastewater treatment, and water supply.

Asia Pacific dominated the water and wastewater treatment equipment market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 8% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2028.

The market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to experience substantial growth due to rising awareness among consumers and industries regarding water conservation and environmental protection. This growth is further driven by the significant presence of both established and emerging players in the water and wastewater treatment equipment industry, including companies like Huber SE, SUEZ SA, Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., Thermax Limited, and SWA Water Australia. Collectively, these factors have contributed to the Asia Pacific region's dominance in the market. Industries in this region are actively developing effluent treatments based on the activated sludge process to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, thus augmenting the market's growth. Governments and regulatory bodies in the region are also initiating measures to enhance water quality and promote sustainable water management practices, further propelling market growth. Additionally, the Asia Pacific region is home to various industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, all of which require effective wastewater treatment solutions to adhere to environmental regulations. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market segment in the forecast period due to increasing environmental consciousness and substantial investments made by key manufacturers to advance new technologies. The presence of organic materials and suspended solids has led to a heightened demand for water pretreatment solutions in this region. Moreover, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and substantial government investments in technologically advanced wastewater treatment facilities are expected to drive significant growth in the market.

Based on the segment, water and wastewater treatment chemicals are projected to lead the market during the forecast period with higher revenue generation.

The market for wastewater treatment chemicals is experiencing significant growth due to escalating concerns regarding the depletion of freshwater resources. To address and mitigate these concerns while enhancing wastewater reusability, many governments worldwide are implementing stringent laws and regulations. Moreover, several governments are actively investing in the improvement of municipal water infrastructure, both in urban and rural areas. These advancements in industrial and domestic/municipal water treatment are expected to drive an increased demand for water and wastewater treatment chemicals in the foreseeable future. Rapid industrialization, particularly in developing nations, is contributing to the pollution of groundwater, further emphasizing the need for effective wastewater utilization. Consequently, many governments are initiating programs to promote the efficient use of wastewater, which is anticipated to boost the demand for chemicals utilized in wastewater treatment. The global COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse effects on various industries and nations. Worldwide lockdown measures have disrupted the production of electronic components and impeded the market's growth for chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment. Delays in the delivery of essential raw materials required for electronic component manufacturing have also been a consequence. Additionally, regulations related to the import and export of chemicals and raw materials have disrupted supply chains due to the pandemic. The shortage of raw materials, as a result, has affected the production of water treatment chemicals, further impacting market expansion.

Membrane separation is the widely used water and wastewater treatment equipment type in the global market with over 40% market share in 2022.

Membrane separation is a physical treatment method that removes certain components from the solution by forcing high-pressure feed water through a semi-permeable membrane. Membrane separation is superior to alternative techniques in a variety of ways, including a small operational space and excellent filtration effectiveness. After the first treatment, the residual pollutants are typically removed using a secondary technique known as biological treatment. Strict laws are designed to use environmentally friendly methods to reduce water pollution in the industry and municipal sectors. Membrane separation processes, such as reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF), and microfiltration (MF), are highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, including suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, salts, organic compounds, and even some heavy metals. This results in high-quality treated water. Compared to traditional chemical-based treatment methods, membrane separation often requires fewer or no chemicals, reducing the environmental impact and the formation of harmful byproducts. Some membrane processes, like UF and MF, are energy-efficient, especially when compared to energy-intensive processes like distillation. This makes them more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run. The need for biological treatment equipment is anticipated to rise in developed markets including the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan. Over the few decades, the role of membrane technology in water and wastewater treatment has grown in importance due to its low capital cost, eco-friendly approach, small size of equipment, and energy-efficient properties. At present, polymers and inorganic material are being employed for the formation of membranes.

Coagulants and flocculants play a critical role in water and wastewater treatment by facilitating the removal of impurities, improving water quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and protecting downstream equipment.

Coagulants and flocculants are used in effluent water treatment processes for solid removal, water clarification, lime softening, sludge thickening, and solids dewatering. Impurities are separated using coagulation and flocculation processes. Particles are forced to bind together during coagulation. Flocculation aids in the formation of large, heavy dirt chunks that sink to the bottom and are simple to remove. As they are used to remove sedimentary and particulate matter from the contaminated water, this segment lowers the operating cost of the water treatment process. Due to factors like the demand for potable water, an increase in population, and the quick urbanization of developing economies, the coagulants and flocculants market is predicted to expand. Thus, the abovementioned factors are expected to drive the growth of the coagulants and flocculants segment in the global market during the forecast period. Coagulants and flocculants help remove suspended and colloidal particles from water. These particles can include organic matter, fine solids, algae, bacteria, and other impurities that can make water turbid and unsuitable for various applications. Coagulation and flocculation promote the formation of larger, heavier particles (flocs) that settle more quickly in sedimentation tanks or can be easily removed through filtration processes. This accelerates the removal of impurities from water. Coagulation and flocculation lead to clearer water by agglomerating small particles into larger, easily separable flocs. This is particularly important for providing aesthetically pleasing and safe drinking water.

The demand for municipal products is anticipated to rise, particularly in emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil due to an increase in the urban population and favorable government policies that support infrastructure development.

In the municipal segment, water and wastewater treatment equipment are used for the purification of water to make it safe for human consumption and to treat wastewater before it is released back into the environment. Membrane filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, are used to remove dissolved solids, bacteria, and other contaminants from the water. UV disinfection systems are used to kill bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in the water. Various materials and equipment, such as activated carbon, sand and gravel filters, membranes, and UV disinfection systems, are commonly utilized in the treatment processes for both municipal and industrial segments of water and wastewater treatment. In the industrial segment, water and wastewater treatment equipment are used to treat water that is used in various industrial processes. These processes can produce wastewater that contains a variety of contaminants, including chemicals, heavy metals, and organic compounds. In wastewater treatment, biological treatment systems like activated sludge and anaerobic digestion rely on microorganisms to decompose organic matter and other impurities. On the other hand, chemical treatments like flocculation and coagulation are employed to eliminate specific types of contaminants from the wastewater. However, during the projection period, the industrial application sector is anticipated to experience the quickest CAGR. This section offers a variety of businesses with a wide range of applications for fresh and processed water. An increase in the number of manufacturing facilities, rapid industrialization, and technical advancements all contribute to a strong demand for fresh and treated water.

Based on the process, tertiary treatment is often necessary to meet increasingly stringent water quality standards and regulations imposed by government authorities and environmental agencies.

Many regions and countries have set high-quality standards for treated water discharged into the environment or used for various purposes, such as drinking water supply, industrial processes, and recreational activities. Tertiary treatment processes are designed to achieve these demanding standards by further polishing the water. Tertiary treatment is particularly effective at removing recalcitrant or stubborn contaminants that may not be adequately addressed by primary and secondary treatment processes alone. These contaminants can include residual organic matter, nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals, and trace organic pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products). Tertiary treatment helps protect aquatic ecosystems and sensitive habitats by reducing the discharge of harmful pollutants into natural water bodies. This is critical for preserving biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of rivers, lakes, and oceans. It plays a crucial role in producing safe and high-quality drinking water. It can include advanced treatment processes such as advanced oxidation, membrane filtration (e.g., reverse osmosis and nanofiltration), and disinfection, which are essential for ensuring the safety and purity of drinking water. Tertiary treatment is integral to water reclamation and reuse projects. By removing residual contaminants, it enables the safe reuse of treated wastewater for non-potable applications, such as irrigation, industrial processes, and cooling water, reducing the demand on freshwater sources. Many industries and commercial facilities require treated water of extremely high quality for their processes. Tertiary treatment processes are often necessary to meet these specialized water quality requirements, making them essential in industrial applications.

Market Drivers

• Rising Global Water Scarcity: One of the primary drivers for the wastewater treatment market is the increasing global water scarcity. As the global population continues to grow and urbanize, the demand for freshwater resources is outpacing their natural replenishment rates. This scarcity is particularly acute in regions prone to droughts and water stress. As a result, there is a heightened focus on wastewater treatment as a means to augment water supplies. Treating and reclaiming wastewater for reuse in agriculture, industry, and even potable water applications has become a critical strategy for mitigating water scarcity issues. The growing awareness of water scarcity as a global issue is prompting governments, industries, and municipalities to invest in advanced wastewater treatment technologies. This driver fuels the growth of the wastewater treatment market as it seeks to address the pressing challenge of water scarcity.
• Stringent Environmental Regulations: Environmental regulations, aimed at protecting water bodies and public health, are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide. Regulatory bodies are setting stricter standards for the discharge of treated wastewater effluents into natural water bodies, leading to a growing need for advanced wastewater treatment. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, and non-compliance can result in significant fines and penalties. Stringent environmental regulations create a strong market driver by compelling industries and municipalities to invest in wastewater treatment solutions that meet or exceed these standards. This demand for compliance-driven technologies and services fuels market growth.

Market Challenges

• High Capital and Operational Costs: Implementing and maintaining wastewater treatment infrastructure can be expensive. High capital costs are associated with the construction of treatment plants and the installation of advanced technologies. Moreover, the operational costs, including energy consumption, chemical usage, and labor, can be significant. These costs can be a barrier, particularly for small municipalities or developing regions with limited resources. The financial challenge of wastewater treatment can hinder its widespread adoption, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. Finding cost-effective solutions is essential to address this challenge and ensure equitable access to clean water.
• Aging Infrastructure and Maintenance: Many existing wastewater treatment plants and pipelines are aging and in need of repair or replacement. Maintaining and upgrading this infrastructure is a challenge, as it often requires significant investment. Failure to address this issue can lead to inefficiencies, increased risk of environmental contamination, and higher long-term costs. The challenge of aging infrastructure highlights the need for continual investment and maintenance in wastewater treatment systems. Failure to do so can compromise the effectiveness of treatment processes and pose environmental risks.

Market Trends

• Smart Water Technologies: The adoption of smart water technologies is a growing trend in the wastewater treatment market. These technologies involve the use of sensors, data analytics, and automation to monitor and optimize treatment processes in real-time. By leveraging data-driven insights, operators can improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance overall system performance. The trend towards smart water technologies aligns with the broader movement towards digitalization and sustainability. It allows for more efficient and cost-effective wastewater treatment, making it an attractive option for municipalities and industries seeking to modernize their systems.
• Circular Economy and Resource Recovery: Embracing the principles of the circular economy, wastewater treatment is increasingly viewed as a resource recovery opportunity. This trend involves extracting valuable resources from wastewater, such as energy, nutrients (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen), and even clean water, for reuse in various applications. It not only enhances sustainability but also reduces waste and environmental impact. The circular economy trend is reshaping wastewater treatment by emphasizing resource efficiency and sustainability. It aligns with global goals of reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing environmental harm. Consequently, it is driving innovation and investment in resource recovery technologies within the wastewater treatment market.

Covid-19 Impacts

Water and wastewater treatment facilities faced operational challenges during the pandemic. Staff shortages due to illness or lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, and social distancing measures affected the ability to operate treatment plants efficiently. Maintenance schedules for water treatment equipment and infrastructure may have been delayed or postponed during the pandemic, potentially leading to equipment reliability issues and higher long-term maintenance costs. Municipalities and industries faced financial constraints due to reduced revenues and budget pressures during the pandemic. This could affect their ability to invest in new water treatment projects or upgrade existing infrastructure. Many planned water and wastewater treatment projects may have been delayed or put on hold as a result of economic uncertainty and budget constraints, affecting the growth of the market. Water usage patterns changed during the pandemic. Commercial and industrial water consumption decreased in some areas, while residential water use increased. Water utilities had to adapt to these shifts in demand. To minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission among staff, some water treatment facilities accelerated the adoption of remote monitoring and automation technologies. These systems allow for more efficient and remote operation of treatment plants, reducing the need for on-site personnel.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the global market is a highly fragmented one, which is slowly consolidating, with key companies, such as Veolia and Suez Environment building a diverse portfolio to capture a major share in this market and build operational efficiency. On the other hand, the focus of the domestic players is to build strategic partnerships with industries to provide them with water and wastewater treatment services and maintenance solutions. The crucial objective of key players operating in this market is to build an all-inclusive water treatment process using AI, advanced diagnostics, and nanotechnology to treat all the impurities present in a water resource. For instance, in February 2021, Veolia Group developed VIGIE COVID-19 plus, a solution that can monitor the presence of SARS-COV-2 and its variants in wastewater using the RT-qPCR method. Major companies included in the report are Ecolab Inc., Veolia Environnement S.A, Xylem Inc, BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Pentair PLC, Suez SA, Thermax Ltd, SNF, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Albemarle Corporation Solvay NV/SA, Kemira Oyj, 3M Company, Solenis, Aquatech International LLC, Ion Exchange Ltd, Danaher Corporation, Kingspan Group PLC and Calgon Carbon Corporation.

Key Developments

• In March 2023, Aquatech International partnered with Fluid Technology Solutions, Inc., a cutting-edge producer of sophisticated membranes and separation technologies, to deliver the next generation of enhanced brine concentration, advanced separation, and water reuse solutions.
• In January 2023, Xylem Inc. reached a definitive agreement to acquire Evoqua in an all-stock deal with an indicated enterprise value of roughly USD 7.5 billion. The merged business will be in a unique position to create and deliver a more comprehensive range of cutting-edge solutions by building on Xylem’s global leading position in water solutions and Evoqua’s specialty in offering advanced treatment systems and services.
• In April 2022, to assist the creation of cutting-edge water and industrial innovations, Xylem announced investments in venture capital funds Burnt Island Ventures and The Wastly Group’s Funds. These investments were expected to strengthen Xylem Innovation Labs’ open innovation network and its dedication to quickly and widely commercialize the most significant advancements in water technology.
• In January 2022, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC announced that it had acquired Renal Business, which was operated by Mar Cor Purification and Cantel Medical, subsidiaries of STERIS Group. The acquisition strengthened the company’s position in North America to offer high-quality water solutions for the healthcare industry..

Considered in this report:

• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:

• Global Water and Wastewater Treatment market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region & Country-wise Water and Wastewater Treatment market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions & Countries covered in the report

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Russia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle-East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa

By Type:

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Equipment
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals

By Water and Wastewater Treatment Equipment:

• Membrane Separation
• Biological
• Sludge Treatment
• Disinfection
• Others (Sedimentation and Clarification, Ion exchange, etc.)

By Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals:

• Coagulants & Flocculants
• Disinfectants & Biocidal Products
• Scale & Corrosion Inhibitors
• Antifoam Chemicals
• pH adjusters and stabilizers
• Others (Oxidizing Agents, Chelating Agents, Odor Control Chemicals, Precipitants, Color Removal Agents, Sequestrants, Biodegradable Surfactants, etc.)

By Application:

• Municipal Applications
• Industrial Applications

By Industrial Application:

• Food and Beverage
• Pulp and Paper
• Power Generation
• Oil and Gas
• Healthcare
• Chemical and Petrochemical
• Other Industries (textile manufacturing, mining, automotive manufacturing, construction, metal extraction, poultry and aquaculture, etc.)

By Process Type:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Water and Wastewater Treatment industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.