Global Packaged Water Treatment Market: A Report on Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

The global packaged water treatment market, valued at USD 29.42 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 62.65 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 8.59%. This growth is intrinsically linked to the global pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The market’s expansion is driven by factors that directly address SDG targets, including increasing water pollution, the urgent need for safe drinking water, and stringent regulatory frameworks designed to protect public health and ecosystems.

Market Dynamics and Alignment with Global Sustainability Targets

H3: Market Drivers: Accelerating Progress on SDG 6 and SDG 3

The primary driver for the market is the implementation of stringent government policies and water quality regulations, which are essential mechanisms for achieving SDG 6. These regulations compel municipalities and industries to adopt effective water treatment solutions, thereby reducing waterborne diseases and contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expanding regulations on PFAS chemicals, directly addressing the target of improving water quality by reducing pollution (SDG 6.3).
• The European Union’s revised rules for urban wastewater treatment mandate secondary treatment for all urban areas, a significant step towards halving the proportion of untreated wastewater (SDG 6.3).

H3: Market Restraints: Barriers to Universal Access under SDG 6

Significant challenges hinder the universal implementation of packaged water treatment solutions, thereby impeding progress toward SDG 6 targets. High installation costs and a lack of awareness, particularly in rural and developing regions, create accessibility gaps. This financial barrier limits the ability of smaller municipalities and industries to invest in the necessary infrastructure to ensure safe and affordable drinking water for all (SDG 6.1).

H3: Market Opportunities: Innovations for Sustainable Infrastructure

Rising investments in decentralized wastewater treatment projects present a major opportunity, aligning with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Decentralized systems offer resilient and adaptable infrastructure solutions, especially in areas lacking conventional sewer networks.

• WOTA Corporation’s fund to support decentralized water circulation systems in Japan exemplifies an innovative approach to achieving water-use efficiency and promoting sustainable water management practices (SDG 6.4).

H3: Market Trends: Digital Transformation for Water Security

The integration of automation, IoT, and smart monitoring technologies is enhancing the efficiency and reliability of water treatment. This trend supports SDG 9 by fostering technological upgrading and innovation. Real-time data analytics and remote control capabilities optimize resource use, reduce operational costs, and ensure regulatory compliance, contributing to the sustainable management of water resources as mandated by SDG 6 and promoting responsible consumption patterns in line with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Segmental Analysis: Contributions to Water and Sanitation Targets

H3: Technology Insights

Membrane filtration, holding over 40% of the market share, is a critical technology for achieving safe drinking water targets (SDG 6.1). Its high efficiency in removing contaminants makes it indispensable for both municipal and industrial applications, ensuring consistent water quality and public health protection.

H3: Type Insights

Packaged wastewater treatment plants dominate the market with over 50% share. This segment is fundamental to achieving SDG 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality by reducing pollution and increasing wastewater recycling and safe reuse. These compact systems are vital for managing the growing volumes of wastewater from urbanization and industrialization.

H3: Deployment Mode Insights

Mobile and containerized units, projected to witness the fastest growth (8.25% CAGR), are crucial for providing rapid and flexible water solutions. Their role in emergency and disaster relief directly supports the resilience-building objectives of SDG 11, while their application in remote areas helps extend access to clean water, a core tenet of SDG 6.

H3: Application Insights

The effluent and sewage treatment segment leads the market, accounting for over 35% of applications. This directly addresses the need to treat wastewater to protect ecosystems and human health, a key component of SDG 6. These systems enable water reuse, minimizing pollution and promoting a circular economy for water resources.

H3: End-User Insights

Municipal governments are the primary end-users, tasked with providing safe water and sanitation for growing urban populations (SDG 11). The oil & gas sector is projected to be the fastest-growing segment (8.75% CAGR), highlighting the increasing pressure on industries to adopt sustainable water management practices and contribute to SDG 12.

Regional Analysis: Progress Towards SDG 6 Across the Globe

H3: Asia-Pacific

Holding over 45% of the market share, the Asia-Pacific region’s demand for packaged water treatment is driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization. The adoption of these systems is critical for the region to meet its water quality and sanitation targets under SDG 6 amidst significant developmental pressures.

H3: North America

North America’s market growth is propelled by stringent regulations and technological advancement. The region’s focus on cutting-edge solutions like IoT-enabled monitoring demonstrates a commitment to innovative and efficient water management, setting high standards for achieving and exceeding the targets outlined in SDG 6.

Competitive Landscape and Strategic Developments

The market features key players like Veolia Environment SA, Xylem Inc., and Evoqua Water Technologies LLC, who are instrumental in developing and deploying technologies that advance global water security. Strategic activities are increasingly focused on enhancing capabilities to deliver sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions.

1. Veolia Environment SA: The acquisition of the remaining stake in Water Technologies and Solutions (WT&S) strengthens Veolia’s capacity to deliver comprehensive solutions aligned with global sustainability goals.
2. Ecolab: The acquisition of Ovivo Electronics’ ultra-pure water business enhances its portfolio for industries requiring high-purity water, supporting sustainable industrial processes under SDG 9.
3. Viomi: The launch of innovative water purification systems with features like low wastewater ratios and long filter lifespans promotes resource efficiency and aligns with SDG 12.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Packaged Water Treatment Market

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most central SDG addressed. The article’s entire focus is on the packaged water treatment market, which provides solutions for “safe drinking water” and “wastewater management.” It discusses technologies and systems designed to improve water quality, treat wastewater, and provide access to clean water for municipal, industrial, and rural applications.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects water treatment directly to public health by mentioning that the market is driven by “rising awareness of waterborne diseases” and the need to address “public health and environmental safety.” Providing treated, safe drinking water is fundamental to preventing such illnesses.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the role of “rapid industrialization,” “technological advancements,” and “infrastructure development” in driving the water treatment market. It discusses innovations like “membrane filtration, UV disinfection, and IoT-enabled monitoring systems” and investments in “decentralized wastewater treatment projects,” which are key components of building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article addresses the challenges of “urbanization” and growing “urban populations.” It points out that municipal governments are key end-users, adopting packaged water treatment plants for “municipal drinking water supply” and “effluent & sewage treatment” to manage urban water and wastewater infrastructure sustainably.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The theme of sustainability and resource efficiency is present throughout the article. It mentions the need for “sustainable water management,” “eco-friendly treatment methods,” and technologies that enable “water reuse” and “recycle wastewater,” which are central to achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

     The article directly supports this target by discussing the growth of “packaged drinking water treatment plants” and solutions for “municipal drinking water supply” and “remote & rural water supply.” The market’s expansion aims to meet the “rising demand for safe drinking water.”

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, …halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

     This target is strongly addressed. The article highlights that “packaged wastewater treatment plants” hold the largest market share (over 50%) and that the “effluent and sewage treatment” segment is a market leader. This indicates a direct effort to treat wastewater. Furthermore, it mentions “rising investments in decentralized wastewater treatment projects” and systems that purify “domestic wastewater… into reusable water,” directly contributing to recycling and reuse.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

     The article connects to this target by citing “rising concerns over contaminants” and “waterborne health risks” as key market drivers. The implementation of “stringent government policies and water quality regulations,” such as the EPA’s maximum contaminant levels for PFAS chemicals, is a direct action to reduce illnesses from water pollution.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.

     The article details the “adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as membrane filtration, UV disinfection, and IoT-enabled monitoring systems.” It also emphasizes the development of “innovative, energy-efficient treatment technologies” and “eco-friendly treatment methods,” which aligns with upgrading industrial processes and infrastructure for sustainability.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

     The article shows how cities are addressing this target. It states that “municipal governments & utilities lead the market” and that the “effluent and sewage treatment segment is the market leader.” This demonstrates a focus on managing municipal wastewater to mitigate the environmental impact of growing urban centers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG Target 6.1 & 6.3 (Access to Clean Water and Wastewater Treatment)

   • Market Size and Growth: The projected growth of the global packaged water treatment market from “USD 29.42 billion in 2024” to “USD 62.65 billion by 2033” serves as a proxy indicator for increased investment and deployment of water treatment solutions.
   • Market Share of Treatment Types: The statistic that “packaged wastewater treatment plants” hold “over 50%” of the market share indicates a significant focus on treating wastewater, contributing directly to Target 6.3.
   • Investment in Projects: Specific investments, such as the “fund of approximately 10 billion yen” by WOTA Corporation for decentralized water systems, can be used as an indicator of financial commitment to improving water management.

2. For SDG Target 3.9 (Reduce Illness from Pollution)

   • Regulatory Compliance: The implementation and enforcement of “stringent government policies and water quality regulations,” such as the EPA’s new rules for PFAS chemicals and the EU’s revised standards for urban wastewater, are direct indicators of actions taken to reduce health risks from contaminated water.

3. For SDG Target 9.4 (Sustainable Industry and Innovation)

   • Adoption of Advanced Technologies: The market share of specific technologies, such as “membrane filtration” holding “over 40%,” and the increasing adoption of “IoT-enabled monitoring systems” indicate progress in upgrading infrastructure with clean and efficient technologies.
   • Corporate Investment in Innovation: Strategic acquisitions, like “Ecolab’s acquisition of Ovivo Electronics’ ultra-pure water business,” signal investment in and consolidation of advanced water treatment capabilities.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: straitsresearch.com