Market Overview
As the world grapples with mounting concerns over water scarcity, environmental degradation, and urban population growth, the global water and wastewater treatment market is evolving rapidly. Increasing demand for clean, safe, and reusable water is pushing both governments and industries to prioritize investment in water infrastructure. Alongside this, growing environmental regulations, technological innovation, and heightened public awareness about hygiene and water safety are further accelerating the adoption of modern treatment systems.
The scope of water treatment extends well beyond municipalities. Industries across sectors such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and power generation are now being held to more stringent discharge standards. From advanced filtration and chemical treatment to automated monitoring and maintenance services, water treatment has become central to both environmental protection and operational sustainability.

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Dominance of Wastewater Treatment Across the Market
Within the broader market, the split between water and wastewater treatment reveals a clear trend: wastewater treatment is set to lead the way, with an estimated 63.0% of total market share in 2025. This growth is being driven by a global mandate to recycle and reuse water wherever possible. With water scarcity affecting nearly every region on Earth, the idea of letting wastewater go untreated is not only environmentally irresponsible but economically inefficient.
Wastewater treatment technologies are also evolving at a fast pace. Biological treatment, membrane separation, and disinfection technologies are now standard in many municipal and industrial applications. Additionally, governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly enforcing zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) policies, particularly in water-stressed regions, which further necessitate advanced wastewater treatment solutions.
Urbanization in developing countries has led to a boom in demand for new sewage infrastructure. In many cities across Asia and Africa, population spikes have outpaced the ability to manage wastewater, prompting urgent infrastructure upgrades. This shift is creating ample opportunity for equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service companies focused on wastewater solutions.

Operation & Maintenance Services Playing a Vital Role
Breaking down the market by offering, it's clear that operation and maintenance (O&M) services are becoming the backbone of long-term system performance. O&M services are projected to account for around 39.5% of the total market by 2025. As water systems grow more complex and compliance expectations rise, the value of well-managed services has never been more critical.
Operators are increasingly turning to third-party service providers who specialize in system optimization, real-time diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. The demand for skilled personnel, 24/7 monitoring, and regulatory documentation services is especially high in municipal sectors, where uptime and efficiency are paramount.
In parallel, process control and automation is expected to register the highest growth rate. Advanced control systems powered by AI, IoT, and cloud computing are transforming the water sector. From smart meters and leak detection tools to fully automated treatment plants, digital technologies are enabling more efficient and transparent water management. These systems not only reduce operational costs but also provide early warning signs that can prevent contamination or equipment failure.

Municipal Sector Driving the Bulk of Demand
The water and wastewater treatment market is clearly split by end-use application into municipal and industrial segments. In 2025, the municipal sector is expected to dominate with a substantial 69.0% share of global demand. This dominance reflects the scale and urgency of urban infrastructure challenges, particularly in emerging economies where access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation remains a major concern.
Municipal utilities are under increasing pressure to deliver safe and reliable water services while staying within tight budget constraints. Projects to upgrade aging pipelines, modernize treatment facilities, and expand coverage to underserved communities are driving investments in this space. Additionally, regulatory reforms and global commitments to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are encouraging funding in both centralized and decentralized treatment systems.
However, the industrial segment is not far behind in terms of potential. As industries strive to reduce their environmental footprint, many are moving toward closed-loop systems that reuse treated water within their own facilities. Sectors like oil & gas, textiles, and chemicals, which are notorious for high water consumption and pollutant output, are under increasing pressure to install high-performance treatment equipment. This includes technologies like reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and chemical dosing systems.

Asia-Pacific Expected to Maintain Its Market Leadership
On the geographic front, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to lead the global market, accounting for more than 42.8% of revenue share in 2025. Countries like China and India are investing billions in upgrading their water infrastructure to cope with growing urban populations, rising pollution levels, and increasing demand for industrial water.
Government-backed initiatives such as China’s "Sponge Cities" program and India's Jal Jeevan Mission are reshaping how water is collected, treated, and distributed. These programs emphasize decentralized treatment, water reuse, and the use of green infrastructure to manage stormwater and runoff.
Asia-Pacific’s strong CAGR through the forecast period is also being driven by public-private partnerships, increasing foreign investment, and improved environmental regulation enforcement. Moreover, the region is becoming a hotbed for innovation, with companies rolling out new membrane technologies, modular treatment units, and automated system controls tailored to the specific challenges of developing economies.

Core Market Drivers Influencing Growth
Urban Growth and Regulation
At the root of the market’s momentum is a confluence of megatrends. Urbanization and population growth continue to strain existing infrastructure, increasing the demand for both centralized and decentralized water systems. In response, governments worldwide are tightening environmental regulations, especially around wastewater discharge, leading to a surge in retrofits and new installations.
Health concerns are also pushing adoption. According to WHO, around 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water as of early 2023. This growing gap has forced policymakers to prioritize water treatment investments, especially in areas where climate change has impacted freshwater availability.

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Depletion of Freshwater Resources
The availability of freshwater resources is declining, and many nations are now seeing water as a strategic asset. Severe droughts in regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of the United States have increased the need for wastewater recycling, desalination, and rainwater harvesting systems.
The industrial sector has taken note as well. A notable example is LANXESS AG, which recently launched a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility in Belgium with a processing capacity of 260,000 liters per hour—a clear indication of how seriously companies are taking water scarcity and reuse.

Innovation in Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Technologies
Modern treatment plants consume a significant amount of energy—typically around 30-40% of a municipality’s total energy bill. With the world moving toward sustainability, the water sector is being pressured to reduce its carbon footprint. In response, there's a push toward low-energy and energy-positive solutions, such as solar-powered treatment units, anaerobic digesters that generate biogas, and highly efficient membrane systems.
Technology providers are now offering modular and containerized systems that are easy to deploy, cost-effective, and suitable for remote or off-grid areas. These systems, often controlled via mobile apps or online dashboards, are gaining favor in rural communities, small towns, and developing nations.

Digital Disruption and Smart Water Networks
Perhaps one of the most promising developments is the rise of smart water technologies. By integrating real-time monitoring, AI-driven diagnostics, and automated reporting, these solutions are empowering operators to make faster, more informed decisions. From leak detection and pressure management to quality monitoring and asset tracking, smart water networks are helping utilities modernize rapidly.
For instance, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems are now commonplace in large-scale facilities, enabling operators to detect inefficiencies, control dosing systems, and ensure regulatory compliance with precision.

Strategic Moves by Industry Leaders
Major players in the market continue to drive innovation and expand their global footprints. Companies like SUEZ, Veolia, Xylem, DuPont, Kurita, and Pentair are making key acquisitions, launching new product lines, and forming strategic partnerships to stay competitive.
Recent developments include:
• SUEZ implementing its Cyclor Turbo technology in partnership with Maynilad Water Services in the Philippines.
• Advanced Drainage Systems rolling out next-gen residential wastewater solutions.
• EDF and Veolia introducing mobile water treatment solutions for emergency or remote site use.
• Mott Corporation and ZwitterCo launching new filtration technologies that can handle highly variable and aggressive wastewater streams.
At the government level, initiatives like Michigan’s Wastewater Infrastructure Fund (WIF) are helping sectors such as agriculture improve treatment processes and meet state environmental standards.

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