Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Size

Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Overview

The Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market size was valued at USD 213.82 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 305.33 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The water and wastewater treatment solution market is witnessing significant expansion driven by urbanization, industrial discharge control mandates, and water scarcity. In 2023, more than 6,900 billion cubic meters of wastewater were generated globally, of which only 56% received adequate treatment. This gap is catalyzing widespread investment and adoption of advanced water treatment solutions across sectors. The municipal segment led with over 250,000 facilities globally, while industrial water treatment installations numbered more than 92,000. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) and reverse osmosis (RO) systems processed over 880 billion cubic meters in 2023. Smart digital solutions, including cloud-based monitoring platforms, managed more than 1.4 million connected treatment assets across 62 countries. High-income nations reused 65% of treated water, while low- and middle-income countries averaged below 15%. Over 34,000 industrial zones globally have initiated new wastewater control projects. Asia-Pacific accounted for over 39% of installations due to rapid urban expansion and policy reform. North America followed with 5,600 new project bids in 2023. Technologies such as UV disinfection, IoT-integrated sensors, and AI-driven filtration optimization are increasingly prevalent, with over 22% of new plants adopting one or more smart features. The market is converging toward sustainability, efficiency, and decentralized modular systems.

Key Findings

Driver: Increasing global water stress and regulatory enforcement of wastewater reuse.

Country/Region: China led global implementation with over 1,200 new treatment facilities commissioned in 2023.

Segment: Government projects dominated the application landscape, accounting for over 61% of global installations.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Trends

The global water and wastewater treatment solution market is undergoing structural transformation through digitalization, decentralization, and sustainability integration. One of the leading trends is the surge in decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS), especially in rural and peri-urban communities. In 2023, over 78,000 decentralized treatment systems were deployed, capable of handling volumes ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 liters per day. These systems are crucial in bridging infrastructure gaps in countries like India, Nigeria, and Brazil. Digital water management is gaining momentum. More than 1.4 million treatment assets were connected to cloud-based platforms, offering remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process automation. Over 550 cities globally have adopted digital twin models to simulate and optimize wastewater network performance. In Japan, over 320 wastewater plants used AI-based systems to reduce sludge production by 18%, saving 32 million kWh of electricity in one year. Resource recovery is emerging as a core objective. In 2023, over 12,000 facilities integrated biogas generation from anaerobic digesters, with 40% of them using captured methane to power operations. Additionally, over 5.4 million metric tons of struvite and phosphorus were recovered from sludge for fertilizer use. This supports the transition toward a circular economy. Membrane technologies remain dominant, with more than 3,500 new membrane filtration systems installed in 2023. Reverse osmosis units treated over 380 billion cubic meters of water, especially in arid regions such as the Middle East. Ultrafiltration and nanofiltration units expanded their footprint in industrial cooling systems and semiconductor manufacturing.

UV and ozone-based disinfection is replacing traditional chlorination. Over 18,000 facilities globally installed UV disinfection modules in 2023, eliminating over 99.99% of microbial load in secondary-treated water. The shift is driven by the need to avoid carcinogenic by-products and meet WHO Class A reuse standards. Containerized plug-and-play treatment units are rising in popularity, with over 22,000 such mobile units deployed in disaster zones, mining operations, and refugee camps. These units can treat between 50–500 cubic meters per day and are favored for their rapid deployment and minimal civil works. Environmental compliance is tightening. In 2023, 92 countries enacted updated effluent discharge norms, affecting over 800,000 facilities. This regulatory tightening is accelerating demand for real-time effluent tracking systems and energy-efficient aeration, with more than 180,000 installations of fine bubble diffusers recorded globally.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Growing global water stress and enforcement of reuse regulations

One of the primary growth drivers is escalating water scarcity. Over 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, and industrial water withdrawal exceeds 800 billion cubic meters annually. Governments are mandating wastewater treatment and reuse. In 2023, Spain passed a law mandating 100% reuse for industrial discharges in high-stress zones, affecting over 6,000 facilities. Singapore's NEWater initiative recycled over 820 million cubic meters last year, meeting 40% of national demand. As a result, water reuse plants numbered over 8,700 globally by the end of 2023.

RESTRAINT

High operational cost and complexity in retrofitting old infrastructure

One major challenge is retrofitting outdated infrastructure. More than 31% of urban water treatment systems in Europe are over 40 years old. Upgrading these systems with advanced membranes or sensors can cost up to $2,400 per cubic meter/day capacity. Additionally, integrating smart digital platforms requires connectivity upgrades, SCADA interfacing, and skilled operators. In 2023, over 2,300 municipalities delayed automation projects due to insufficient funds and workforce limitations.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising investment in modular and containerized treatment solutions

The modularization of treatment systems offers significant opportunity. These plug-and-play systems, pre-fabricated with filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection units, require 70% less installation time. In 2023, over 4,000 containerized plants were deployed across mining camps, oil rigs, and military bases. Their quick setup—under 4 weeks—and low maintenance costs make them ideal for temporary or remote applications. Middle-income countries, including Indonesia and Egypt, have launched national programs to install 1,600 such units by 2025.

CHALLENGE

Rising energy consumption and sludge management complexity

Treatment processes are energy-intensive. Aeration alone consumes over 60% of total plant energy. In 2023, global wastewater treatment consumed over 320 TWh of electricity. Inadequate energy supply, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, resulted in more than 14,000 treatment facilities operating under 60% capacity. Additionally, sludge generation exceeded 225 million metric tons, but only 45% was effectively processed. Sludge disposal costs exceed $120 per ton in some OECD countries, making it a major barrier for plant efficiency and cost optimization.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Segmentation

The water and wastewater treatment solution market is segmented by type—cloud-based and on-premise—and by application across key end-user sectors. Cloud-based solutions managed over 1.4 million treatment systems globally in 2023, offering real-time analytics, leak detection, and predictive maintenance. On-premise platforms were used by over 220,000 facilities for process control and compliance tracking. By application, the government sector led with over 61% share, operating more than 250,000 plants. Healthcare and life sciences used over 18,000 specialized systems for hazardous and pharmaceutical effluents. Retail, travel, and media segments collectively managed over 95,000 systems tailored for hygiene and cooling water treatment.

By Type

Cloud Based: In 2023, over 1.4 million cloud-connected treatment units were active across 62 countries. These solutions offered scalability, remote monitoring, and AI-based analytics. Utilities in the U.S. and Germany connected over 38,000 facilities to cloud platforms for real-time quality control. Over 250,000 sensors transmitted data for pH, TDS, turbidity, and DO levels. Cloud deployment reduced downtime by 27% and enhanced O&M savings by 18%, with adoption strong among municipalities and industrial parks.
On Premise: Over 220,000 treatment facilities globally continue to rely on on-premise platforms, particularly where security and connectivity are challenges. These systems are used extensively in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. On-premise SCADA systems managed over 38 billion cubic meters of wastewater in 2023. Manufacturing and pharmaceutical units preferred local control for compliance and operational integrity. Over 90,000 installations were updated in 2023 with advanced PLCs and operator HMIs.

By Application

Retail & Consumer Goods: Over 18,000 treatment systems were installed in retail complexes and manufacturing units handling dyes, chemicals, and packaging runoff. RO and electrocoagulation were key methods used in effluent recycling.
Government: Public sector installations accounted for more than 250,000 active systems in 2023. Over 78% treated urban and peri-urban sewage. Projects in India and Brazil added 4,300 new government-owned plants in 2023.
Travel & Hospitality: Over 32,000 systems served hotels, resorts, and airports. Greywater reuse for irrigation and laundry saved over 420 million cubic meters of potable water globally.
Media & Entertainment: Studios and broadcasting facilities implemented 8,500 water treatment setups for HVAC and cooling tower reuse.
Healthcare & Life Sciences: More than 18,000 advanced treatment systems processed infectious and pharmaceutical wastewater using ozonation and MBR technologies.
Others: Includes mining, data centers, logistics parks, and sports stadiums with over 72,000 plants in operation globally.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market Regional Outlook

North America

over 91,000 water and wastewater treatment facilities were operational in 2023. The United States alone accounted for 78,000 plants, treating more than 1.1 trillion gallons annually. The EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund supported over 4,100 modernization projects. Canada added 620 decentralized plants, with Quebec and Ontario leading installations. Smart solutions were adopted in over 18,000 sites, with 50% using cloud-based SCADA for flow and contaminant tracking.

Europe

maintained over 132,000 treatment facilities. Germany led with over 13,000 plants, followed by France with 11,400 and the UK with 9,300. The European Green Deal fueled 5,800 projects in 2023 focused on nitrogen and microplastic removal. Germany and the Netherlands pioneered zero-energy treatment designs, with 180 plants running on biogas and solar hybrid models. Spain reused over 800 million cubic meters of water, more than any other European nation.

Asia-Pacific

hosted over 170,000 wastewater treatment installations, with China leading at 82,000 plants. India added 6,500 new facilities in 2023, mainly through AMRUT 2.0 and Jal Jeevan Mission. Japan deployed AI-based smart water monitoring in 240 cities. Industrial zones in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand commissioned 1,200 plants to meet SEZ compliance. Rainwater harvesting was integrated into 22,000 plants to augment reuse strategies.

Middle East & Africa

had over 28,000 facilities. Saudi Arabia alone treated more than 2 billion cubic meters in 2023. The UAE reused over 90% of its treated water across landscaping and agriculture. South Africa added 540 treatment plants to upgrade urban slum sanitation. Israel continued leading in desalination-to-potable reuse, managing 85% municipal reuse efficiency. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, NGOs funded 1,200 decentralized community treatment units.

List Of Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Companies

Veolia
SUEZ
Fluence
ENEXIO
Unique Water
Lenntech
Aquatech
Keppel Seghers
Dober
Newterra
HUBER
Hydrotech
Logisticon
Valmet
Ramboll Group

Veolia: led the global market with over 127,000 facilities operated, maintaining more than 190 million cubic meters/day treatment capacity across 105 countries. The company executed over 1,200 full-cycle design-build-operate contracts in 2023, particularly in municipal, food & beverage, and mining segments.

SUEZ: ranked second, managing 96,000 systems and delivering over 36 million connected meters of smart water pipeline integration. SUEZ projects in Qatar, India, and Australia serviced more than 420 cities, with 60% including digital twin integration and biosolid management.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investment in water and wastewater treatment solutions exceeded $175 billion in 2023, directed at infrastructure upgrades, digitalization, and circular economy integration. Multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank, ADB, and EIB collectively financed 2,700 active projects in 83 countries. In North America, the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $50 billion toward water infrastructure, with $8.3 billion disbursed in 2023 for 800 treatment upgrades. Private equity funds invested over $9.5 billion in smart metering and membrane technology startups. Canada’s Clean Water and Wastewater Fund financed 420 decentralized treatment systems in rural regions. Europe invested over €38 billion, focusing on compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Germany and France allocated €9.2 billion to nitrogen-phosphorus reduction and climate-adaptive wastewater networks. Spain and Italy prioritized storm overflow mitigation through smart retention basins and sewer mining. In Asia-Pacific, India’s central and state governments funded over ₹35,000 crore (~$4.2 billion) for sewage treatment expansion under the Namami Gange and AMRUT 2.0 missions. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan allocated RMB 160 billion for water reuse and smart metering. Singapore expanded its NEWater initiative with a $600 million investment in an AI-optimized reuse plant in Tuas. The Middle East invested heavily in desalination-integrated wastewater reuse. Saudi Arabia awarded over $1.8 billion in BOOT contracts for advanced MBR and tertiary reuse in Riyadh and Jeddah. The UAE’s national strategy set a target of 100% treated water reuse by 2030, prompting $400 million investment in smart pump retrofits. Africa saw rising donor-led investment. The African Development Bank approved $1.1 billion for sanitation corridor projects in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. Over 3,500 modular treatment plants were installed in 2023 with solar-assisted pumping. Opportunities lie in circular solutions. Over 12,000 treatment plants globally recovered biogas and fertilizers from sludge. Markets such as Europe and Japan now offer regulatory incentives for nutrient recovery. Green bonds worth $11.4 billion were issued in 2023 for sustainable water treatment infrastructure. Emerging sectors include smart O&M platforms, with SaaS solutions managing over 1.2 million assets. Digital twin technology reached over 550 cities. Companies investing in AI, zero-liquid discharge, and containerized systems are set to capitalize on rising demand for decentralized, automated, and resource-efficient solutions.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, innovation in the water and wastewater treatment solution market accelerated, with over 150 new products introduced across filtration, monitoring, and sludge management technologies. These innovations are targeting energy reduction, modular design, and automation to support rapidly evolving regulatory and user demands. Veolia introduced the “Actina Smart” digital biological treatment system in early 2023. It integrates AI-based feedback control loops and achieved a 28% energy reduction across 4,200 installations worldwide. The technology was rapidly adopted in France, Chile, and Malaysia for municipal upgrades serving populations over 100,000. SUEZ launched “AquaSuite NextGen,” an adaptive smart analytics platform that integrates into any SCADA architecture. Deployed across 11 countries in its first year, it helped 190 utilities reduce chemical overdosing by 21% and aeration energy by 17%. The system features dynamic digital twins and hydraulic modeling to manage fluctuating flow regimes in stormwater-prone cities. Fluence Corporation introduced its fourth-generation MABR (Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor) modules. These units treat up to 500 cubic meters/day using 40% less energy than activated sludge systems. By mid-2024, over 1,200 MABR containers were in operation in Argentina, Ivory Coast, and Israel. The technology is well-suited for small communities and industrial parks. Aquatech launched “REX Basic,” a containerized zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) system for textile, power, and pharma sectors. The system processes up to 200 cubic meters/day and recovers over 95% of water while generating solid salt cake for reuse. In 2023, over 75 units were deployed in India, Bangladesh, and Turkey. Lenntech introduced a modular ozone-UV hybrid disinfection reactor capable of reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 90% in complex effluents. The system handles 10–1,000 cubic meters/hour and was installed in beverage and food processing units in the Netherlands, Germany, and Brazil. Smart biosensor integration became a key development area. Over 60 manufacturers introduced inline real-time sensors for ammonia, nitrate, and pathogens. These sensors, with detection times under 30 seconds, were integrated into over 15,000 treatment lines globally, enabling instant regulatory reporting. Sludge management saw advances with low-temperature belt dryers and thermochemical hydrolysis reactors. Over 2,700 European facilities adopted these technologies in 2023 to reduce biosolid volumes and recover phosphorus for fertilizer use. These product launches reflect a shift toward decentralized, high-efficiency, sensor-driven solutions that are adaptable across geographies and scales, improving sustainability and reducing lifecycle costs.

Five Recent Developments

In January 2024, Veolia launched a 50,000 m³/day smart reuse facility in Saudi Arabia using its Actina Smart platform.
In July 2023, SUEZ completed AI-based optimization retrofits in over 320 French wastewater treatment plants.
In March 2024, Fluence commissioned 150 MABR containerized units in Côte d’Ivoire under a national rural sanitation initiative.
In November 2023, Aquatech signed a contract for 120 ZLD plants in textile hubs across Gujarat, India.
In April 2024, Lenntech deployed hybrid disinfection systems in 40 Nestlé and PepsiCo facilities across Europe.

Report Coverage of Water and Wastewater Treatment Solution Market

This comprehensive report presents an in-depth analysis of the global water and wastewater treatment solution market, encompassing key technology segments, geographic trends, and end-user applications. In 2023, over 6,900 billion cubic meters of wastewater required treatment globally, with demand for advanced, smart, and sustainable solutions accelerating.

The report covers two core deployment types: cloud-based and on-premise, tracking over 1.4 million cloud-connected treatment assets and 220,000 on-site controlled systems. Detailed segmentation includes six application sectors: government, retail, healthcare, hospitality, media, and others. Government-led installations dominated in 2023 with over 250,000 active plants focused on municipal sewage treatment and urban reuse strategies. Regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, providing detailed coverage of plant deployments, technology adoption rates, regulatory influences, and infrastructure investment across 30 countries. Asia-Pacific emerged as the largest contributor, adding over 18,000 new systems in 2023 alone, led by China and India. The report examines drivers including water scarcity, urban population growth, and ESG policy mandates. It also evaluates restraints such as aging infrastructure, high operational costs, and skilled labor shortages. Opportunities highlighted include rapid deployment of containerized solutions and rising industrial water reuse in textiles, food processing, and microelectronics. Over $175 billion in investments were recorded in 2023, with funding focused on ZLD, AI-augmented filtration, and circular economy integration. This report details key market participants, including Veolia, SUEZ, Fluence, Aquatech, and Lenntech, profiling their technology portfolios, global footprint, and new contracts. The report also catalogs 150+ product launches and five strategic developments from 2023–2024, offering insight into the market’s rapid evolution. Innovations in MABR, ZLD, hybrid disinfection, and biosensor-linked automation are helping utilities meet increasingly stringent discharge standards while optimizing energy and chemical use. This report serves as a strategic decision-making guide for public utilities, industrial operators, engineering firms, and investors. It provides actionable intelligence on demand trends, regulatory benchmarks, and competitive positioning in one of the most critical and high-growth infrastructure sectors globally.