Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Overview

The global market for water and wastewater treatment is poised for significant expansion, fueled by key drivers such as population growth, rapid urbanization, increasing regulatory mandates, water scarcity, and rising incidences of waterborne illnesses. As cities expand and industrial activities intensify, the pressure on available water resources increases, prompting governments, industries, and communities to invest in sustainable water management practices. The growing interest in energy-efficient technologies and the emergence of smart water treatment systems are also expected to open new avenues for market growth.

 

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Wastewater Treatment to Lead the Market by Type in 2025

In terms of treatment type, the market is broadly segmented into water treatment and wastewater treatment. Among these, the wastewater treatment segment is expected to dominate in 2025, capturing approximately 63.0% of the total market share. This dominance is primarily attributed to stricter regulations regarding discharge standards, heightened awareness of water-borne diseases, and the increasing need for efficient recycling and reuse of wastewater, particularly in urban and industrial settings. Moreover, the rising demand for sustainable infrastructure and the global push for circular water use is accelerating the adoption of advanced wastewater treatment systems.

The segment’s growth is also underpinned by innovations such as membrane bioreactors, biological nutrient removal technologies, and advanced oxidation processes. These technologies offer higher efficiency and better pollutant removal compared to conventional methods, making them attractive for municipalities and industries alike.

 

Operation & Maintenance Services Set to Dominate by Offering

The market by offering is segmented into treatment technologies, chemicals, design and engineering services, process control and automation, and operation & maintenance services. Of these, operation and maintenance services are projected to hold the largest market share of 39.5% in 2025. The growing complexity of water treatment systems, combined with the increasing need for uninterrupted operations and compliance with environmental standards, is driving the demand for outsourced management and maintenance.

As water treatment facilities adopt more sophisticated systems, skilled operators and regular monitoring become critical for ensuring optimal performance. The push for predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and real-time data analysis further strengthens the role of specialized service providers in this segment.

Meanwhile, the process control and automation segment is expected to register the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. As utilities and industries seek smarter and more responsive systems, automation solutions equipped with sensors, analytics platforms, and control modules are gaining traction. These technologies enable better resource optimization, enhance water quality, and support regulatory compliance.

 

Municipal Applications to Take the Lead

When examined by application, the water and wastewater treatment market is divided into municipal and industrial applications. The municipal segment is expected to dominate with 69.0% market share in 2025. Rapid population growth and increasing urban sprawl are placing immense pressure on municipalities to deliver clean and safe water while efficiently treating sewage and wastewater.

Advanced technologies like ultrafiltration, UV disinfection, and membrane separation are becoming mainstream in municipal projects. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in upgrading infrastructure, expanding sewer networks, and introducing stricter wastewater discharge regulations, further bolstering municipal demand.

Conversely, industrial applications are projected to witness faster growth during the forecast period. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil & gas, and food processing are facing increasing scrutiny regarding effluent management. Environmental regulations, water reuse mandates, and the economic benefits of recycling water are pushing industries to adopt robust and technologically advanced water treatment systems.

Technologies such as zero-liquid discharge (ZLD), nanofiltration, and chemical dosing systems are becoming integral to industrial operations, especially in water-stressed regions and high-consumption sectors.

 

Asia-Pacific to Lead the Global Market in 2025

Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for over 42.8% of the global market in 2025. The region’s rapid urbanization, booming industrial activities, and large population base are key contributors to this growth. Countries like China, India, and Vietnam are grappling with declining water quality, pollution, and water shortages, which has triggered government-led initiatives to modernize water infrastructure and enforce environmental compliance.

Additionally, international investments and public-private partnerships are fueling the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across the region. Singapore, for instance, is leading the way in integrated water resource management, showcasing how innovation can transform a country’s water landscape.

The Asia-Pacific region is also projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This trend is supported by growing public sector funding, advancements in treatment technologies, and the adoption of decentralized treatment systems in rural and peri-urban areas.

 

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Key Drivers Fueling Market Growth

Population Growth, Urbanization, and Regulations

One of the core drivers of this market is the relentless pace of population growth and urbanization. As cities expand, the strain on existing water infrastructure intensifies, necessitating upgrades and new installations. In addition, governments are introducing stringent regulations to enforce water quality and limit pollution. For example, more than half of the world’s population is already using sanitation services that ensure wastewater is treated properly—highlighting a growing commitment to hygiene and water safety.

 

Scarcity of Freshwater Resources

The shortage of freshwater is another pressing concern. According to WHO, as of March 2023, around 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need to recycle and reuse water through treatment systems. Industries are stepping up investments to address this need; for example, LANXESS AG commissioned a new treatment facility in Belgium with a capacity of 260,000 liters per hour.

With freshwater sources dwindling and pollution on the rise, the focus is increasingly shifting toward tapping into alternative water sources, such as reclaimed wastewater and desalinated seawater.

 

Opportunities in Energy-Efficient Technologies

Wastewater treatment plants are known for high energy consumption—often making them the third-largest energy user in municipal setups. With growing emphasis on energy efficiency, market players are innovating to create solutions that minimize operational costs while ensuring optimal performance.

Technologies like SCADA-enabled pump optimization, UV disinfection systems, and solar-powered desalination plants are gaining attention. These innovations align with both sustainability goals and bottom-line savings, presenting a win-win for providers and users alike.

Emergence of Decentralized and Smart Water Solutions

As cities expand into remote areas, decentralized water treatment systems offer flexible, modular, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional centralized infrastructure. These systems are especially valuable in rural regions and developing economies where establishing large-scale plants may be economically unfeasible.

Additionally, the integration of smart technologies, including IoT-based sensors, AI-driven monitoring tools, and cloud-connected systems, is revolutionizing water management. These platforms offer real-time analytics, predictive maintenance alerts, and improved compliance tracking, enabling municipalities and industries to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.

 

Competitive Landscape and Industry Developments

Leading companies are continuously investing in new technologies, strategic partnerships, and regional expansions. Major players include SUEZ S.A., Veolia Environnement, Xylem Inc., DuPont, 3M, BASF SE, Kurita Water Industries, and Pentair, among others. These organizations are involved in delivering everything from membrane systems and disinfection solutions to advanced control systems and engineering services.

Recent collaborations and product launches are reshaping the industry landscape. For instance, in April 2024, SUEZ partnered with Maynilad Water Services in the Philippines to implement Cyclor Turbo technology in wastewater treatment. Meanwhile, Advanced Drainage Systems introduced new onsite septic solutions to address stricter residential regulations. Other developments include mobile water treatment units by EDF and Veolia for emergency use and innovative filtration systems launched by ZwitterCo and Mott Corporation for challenging wastewater streams.

Governments are also stepping up, as seen with Michigan’s new Wastewater Infrastructure Fund (WIF) to support the agricultural sector’s compliance efforts.

 

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