Global Water and Waste Water Treatment Market Analysis, By Type (Waste water Treatment, Water Treatment), By Technology (Treatment Technology, Treatment Chemicals), By Application (Municipal, Industrial) and Region (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa)—Market Size, Share, Trends & Forecast 2025-2035

Water and waste water treatment Market: Overview

The global Water and waste water treatment market estimated at USD 343.27 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach approximately USD 787.78 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2025 to 2035. 

The water and wastewater treatment market is expanding due to a combination of environmental, regulatory, technological, and social factors. The demand for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective water treatment solutions continues to rise, driven by concerns over water scarcity, pollution, industrial growth, and the need for resilient infrastructure. With increasing awareness and investment in water sustainability, the market is poised for significant growth in the coming years.

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Market Growth Drivers

Industrial Growth and Urbanization

Growing industrial activities contribute to increased wastewater generation. Industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and textiles generate substantial volumes of wastewater that require treatment before disposal or reuse. This drives the demand for efficient wastewater treatment technologies.

As more people migrate to urban areas, the demand for clean water and effective wastewater treatment increases. Municipalities need advanced infrastructure to cater to expanding populations, further driving the market for water treatment solutions.

Growing Awareness of Water Quality

Public awareness of the dangers associated with contaminated water, including the spread of waterborne diseases, has led to higher demand for water treatment systems that ensure safe drinking water. Consumers and industries alike are investing in systems to treat and purify water for health and safety reasons.

With increasing concerns about water quality, there is a rising demand for advanced monitoring and filtration systems to detect and treat harmful chemicals, pathogens, and contaminants in water sources.

Market Restraints

Lack of Skilled Workforce

Advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies require highly skilled personnel to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the systems. In many regions, there is a shortage of trained professionals with the necessary expertise, leading to potential delays in implementation or system inefficiencies. The fast pace of technological advancements in water treatment also means that ongoing training and education are necessary to keep up with the latest developments. Inadequate access to training or educational programs could limit the adoption of newer, more efficient treatment methods. 

High Capital and Operational Costs

The cost of establishing water and wastewater treatment plants can be prohibitive. Infrastructure development, including the construction of treatment facilities, installation of advanced technology, and setting up distribution systems, requires significant capital investment.

Even after the initial setup, the costs of operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment facilities can be high. These include energy consumption, labor costs, and the need for regular system upgrades, which could make it difficult for smaller municipalities or businesses to adopt modern treatment technologies.

Market Opportunities

Water Recycling and Reuse

Water scarcity is a major issue globally, particularly in arid regions and densely populated urban areas. Wastewater reuse offers a sustainable solution to this problem by treating and recycling water for agricultural, industrial, and even potable use. With increasing water stress, many industries and municipalities are looking to adopt water recycling technologies to reduce their water consumption and dependence on external sources.

There are growing opportunities in the development of advanced technologies like membrane bioreactors (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection for water recycling and treatment. These technologies are becoming more efficient and cost-effective, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including residential, industrial, and agricultural reuse.

Smart Water Management

The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) into water management systems is opening new opportunities for more efficient and sustainable water and wastewater treatment. Smart sensors, remote monitoring, and automated control systems can optimize water treatment processes, reduce water wastage, and enhance system performance.

Using AI and big data analytics to monitor the health of treatment equipment and predict failures before they happen can minimize downtime and improve the overall efficiency of water treatment facilities. This shift toward data-driven, proactive maintenance presents significant opportunities for both technology providers and utilities seeking to improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of their systems.

Water and waste water treatment Market: Report Scope

Market Analysis: By Type

Based on Type, Water and waste water treatment market has been divided into Waste water Treatment, Water Treatment.  The Water Treatment segment holds a significant portion of the market share, especially in regions where the demand for clean and safe drinking water is increasing. This is particularly important in areas with growing populations, urbanization, and industrialization, where the demand for potable water is rising. Technologies such as membrane filtration, UV disinfection, and reverse osmosis are in high demand in the water treatment sector. These technologies allow for efficient purification of water to meet both municipal and industrial needs.

Increased concern over water quality and the safety of drinking water, especially in industrialized nations, further boosts the demand for advanced water purification technologies.

Market Analysis: By Technology

Based on Technology, the Water and waste water treatment market has been divided into Treatment Technology, Treatment Chemicals. The Treatment Technology segment typically holds a larger share of the market. This is because technology plays a pivotal role in addressing the demand for efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable water and wastewater treatment solutions. With increasing concerns over water contamination (including emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and heavy metals), technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), membrane bioreactors (MBR), and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are becoming essential. These technologies are used in both water treatment and wastewater treatment processes to ensure high-quality output.

Market Analysis: By Application

Based on Application, the Water and waste water treatment market has been divided into Municipal, Industrial. The Municipal segment generally holds the larger share of the water and wastewater treatment market. This is due to the broad and essential demand for clean water and the treatment of wastewater in urban and suburban areas, where large populations require access to safe drinking water and efficient wastewater management. As the global population grows and more people move into urban areas, the demand for municipal water and wastewater treatment increases significantly. Municipalities must ensure a continuous supply of safe drinking water and effectively treat the wastewater generated by urban populations.

Regional Landscape

The Water and waste water treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) based on regions. North America held the largest market share and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This growth is associated with the heavy demand for treated water from the beverages and pharmaceutical industries in the U.S. Moreover, the demand for higher power generation to support the growth of industries in the region has boosted the demand for demineralized water, which has further accelerated market growth.

Competitive Landscape 

The global Water and waste water treatment industry is dominated by businesses like Veolia, SUEZ Worldwide, DuPont, 3M, Xylem, Kemira, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Pentair PLC, Ecolab because of their unique product offerings, financial stability, strategic innovations, and regionally diverse presence. The participants are focusing their efforts on promoting R&D. Additionally, they support strategic expansion activities including product launch, joint ventures, and partnerships to expand their client base and boost their market position. Some of the prominent players in the market include Veolia, SUEZ Worldwide, DuPont, 3M, Xylem, Kemira, Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, Pentair PLC, Ecolab

Strategic Developments

• March 2023 – Aquatech International partnered with Fluid Technology Solutions, Inc., a cutting-edge producer of sophisticated membranes and separation technologies. Together, they aim to develop next-generation solutions for enhanced brine concentration, advanced separation, and water reuse.
• January 2023 – Xylem Inc. agreed to acquire Evoqua in an all-stock deal with an indicated enterprise value of roughly USD 7.5 billion. The merged business will be uniquely positioned 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.