Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market to Reach US$78.4 Billion by 2030

The global market for Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies estimated at US$59.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$78.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Oil / Water Separation, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 6.4% CAGR and reach US$23.8 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Suspended Solids Removal segment is estimated at 5.6% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$16.2 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.8% CAGR

The Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies market in the U.S. is estimated at US$16.2 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$16.6 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 8.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% and 3.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.7% CAGR.

Global Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

How Are Urbanization and Water Scarcity Reshaping the Treatment Technology Landscape?

As global urbanization accelerates and freshwater resources become increasingly scarce, the demand for advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies is undergoing a significant transformation. Rapid population growth in urban centers is outpacing the capacity of existing infrastructure, compelling municipalities and governments to upgrade or replace outdated systems. This is especially evident in emerging economies where urban migration is overwhelming legacy treatment frameworks. In regions experiencing water stress, like the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia-Pacific, the urgency to maximize reuse and minimize waste has driven investment in cutting-edge technologies such as membrane filtration, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, and zero-liquid discharge systems. Municipalities are increasingly shifting from conventional activated sludge processes to more compact, energy-efficient technologies that can accommodate space and resource limitations. Urban planning initiatives are also integrating decentralized treatment units that can serve individual buildings or neighborhoods, offering flexibility and resilience against infrastructure constraints. These modular systems are becoming critical in areas where centralized infrastructure development is economically or logistically unfeasible. Furthermore, climate-induced disruptions such as droughts and floods are pushing cities to adopt adaptive treatment technologies that can respond to fluctuating water quality and supply. Collectively, these urban and environmental pressures are redefining how water is treated, reused, and valued, with technologies now being selected not only for compliance but also for sustainability, resilience, and adaptability.

Why Is Industrial Wastewater Management Becoming a Technological Focal Point?

The role of industries in the water treatment technology market is expanding rapidly, driven by escalating environmental regulations, increased operational costs, and growing stakeholder pressure to demonstrate sustainability. Manufacturing sectors such as chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and oil and gas are among the largest consumers and polluters of water. As a result, the need for advanced, tailor-made treatment solutions has never been more critical. Unlike municipal wastewater, industrial effluents often contain complex, highly toxic, and variable contaminants that require specialized treatment processes. Technologies such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), electrocoagulation, membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and anaerobic digestion are gaining ground for their ability to handle diverse pollutant loads effectively. Moreover, the shift from linear to circular water management in industries is driving the adoption of water recycling and reuse systems, where treated effluents are looped back into the production cycle. Many industries are now building on-site treatment facilities that not only reduce environmental discharge but also offer cost advantages by lowering freshwater intake and effluent discharge fees. There`s also a noticeable trend of digitalization within industrial water treatment, with smart sensors, real-time monitoring, and AI-based optimization being integrated into treatment systems to enhance performance, reduce energy consumption, and predict maintenance needs. This industrial transformation is steering the treatment technologies market toward more flexible, efficient, and intelligent solutions tailored to specific sectoral challenges.

How Are Innovations in Technology and Digital Integration Setting New Benchmarks?

Technological innovation has emerged as the cornerstone of advancement in water and wastewater treatment, offering breakthroughs that improve efficiency, scalability, and environmental outcomes. Over the past decade, the industry has witnessed a significant evolution from energy-intensive mechanical systems to more sustainable and automated processes. Membrane technologies, including reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF), are becoming more efficient and cost-effective, enabling higher recovery rates and better contaminant rejection. In parallel, biological treatment technologies are being refined to address nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus more effectively, with advancements in biofilm reactors and microbial fuel cells gaining attention. The digital transformation of the water sector is also playing a pivotal role. Treatment plants are now leveraging digital twins, SCADA systems, IoT-enabled monitoring, and AI-driven analytics to improve operations, predict failures, and optimize chemical usage. Energy-positive wastewater treatment is another emerging trend, where biogas generated from sludge digestion is used to power the plant itself, reducing carbon footprints and operational costs. Additionally, research into low-footprint, solar-powered, and nature-based treatment systems is gaining momentum, especially in off-grid and remote locations. Modular, containerized treatment units that can be rapidly deployed during emergencies or infrastructure failures are also increasingly being adopted. These technological shifts are not only enhancing the reliability and reach of water treatment services but are also setting new industry benchmarks in performance and sustainability.

What Are the Underlying Catalysts Fueling the Growth of This Expanding Market?

The growth in the water and wastewater treatment technologies market is driven by several factors that reflect dynamic shifts in technology adoption, end-user demand, and global water governance trends. First, rising environmental awareness and regulatory compliance obligations across industries and municipalities have made investment in advanced treatment solutions a strategic necessity. Second, increased water demand from growing populations, coupled with shrinking freshwater reserves, is pushing governments to prioritize water reuse and recycling, stimulating demand for high-performance treatment technologies. Third, the expanding footprint of manufacturing and industrial operations in regions with limited water availability is accelerating the installation of on-site wastewater treatment systems tailored for reuse. Fourth, urban development and smart city projects are incorporating integrated water management systems that rely on decentralized and modular treatment technologies. Fifth, international development goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (specifically SDG 6), have led to increased funding and public-private partnerships focused on water security and sanitation. Additionally, consumer behavior is changing, with communities and stakeholders demanding transparency, sustainability, and circular practices in water use, which in turn pressures utilities and industries to adopt cleaner technologies. Finally, technological progress—such as digitization, automation, and breakthroughs in material science—is continuously expanding the capabilities and cost-efficiency of treatment technologies, enabling broader and faster adoption across both high-income and low-income regions. These cumulative drivers are ensuring that the water and wastewater treatment technologies market remains robust, innovative, and indispensable in the global pursuit of sustainable development.