Water Treatment Market Size and Forecast (2025 to 2034)

The global water treatment market was valued at USD 69.76 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to approximately USD 137.87 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.05% from 2025 to 2034. This growth is driven by increasing demand for clean water and expanding industrialization, which align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The water treatment industry is essential in addressing pressures on freshwater resources caused by urbanization, industrial growth, and climate change, thereby contributing to sustainable water management worldwide.

Key Takeaways of the Water Treatment Market

• Market valued at USD 69.76 billion in 2024, expected to reach USD 137.87 billion by 2034.
• Projected CAGR of 7.05% between 2025 and 2034.
• Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2024, reflecting rapid urbanization and industrialization.
• North America anticipated to have the fastest growth rate during the forecast period.
• UV disinfection technology held significant market share in 2024 due to its chemical-free and effective pathogen elimination, supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
• Chemical treatment technology expected to grow fastest, addressing diverse contaminants.
• Industrial applications dominated the market, with municipal applications growing rapidly to improve public health and sanitation.
• Primary treatment led the market by treatment type, while secondary treatment is forecasted to grow significantly, enhancing wastewater management.
• Manufacturing was the leading end-user segment, with food & beverage expected to grow rapidly, emphasizing water safety and quality standards.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Water Treatment

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing water treatment by transforming systems into dynamic, self-adjusting networks that enhance operational efficiency and water quality. AI applications such as predictive maintenance and real-time water quality analysis reduce downtime, minimize costs, and improve safety. These advancements support SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting smarter, more resilient water infrastructure.

Market Overview

The water treatment market is evolving due to environmental concerns, industrial demands, and public health awareness. Infrastructure modernization in developed and developing countries is critical to achieving SDG 6 by ensuring access to safe and affordable drinking water. Conventional and advanced technologies, including membrane filtration, UV disinfection, and ozone treatment, are widely adopted. Industrial sectors such as oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage require treated water for compliance with environmental regulations, supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Wastewater recycling and zero-liquid discharge systems are increasingly implemented to promote sustainability. Desalination projects, especially in arid regions, contribute to water security and SDG 13: Climate Action by addressing water scarcity challenges.

Key Market Trends

• Decentralized Water Treatment Systems: Shift towards modular, localized treatment units enhances access in rural and developing areas, supporting SDG 6.
• Smart Technology Integration: AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud analytics enable real-time monitoring and efficient water management, aligning with SDG 9 and SDG 11.
• Water Reuse and Recycling: Increased adoption addresses water scarcity and pollution, advancing SDG 6 and SDG 14: Life Below Water.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaboration accelerates infrastructure development and innovation, promoting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
• Consumer Awareness and Regulatory Pressure: Enhanced transparency and stricter standards improve water safety and public health, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 6.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Water Scarcity: The global water crisis, intensified by urbanization, population growth, and industrialization, drives demand for effective water treatment solutions. This supports SDG 6 by promoting sustainable water management and access to safe water. Industrial sectors require high-purity water for production and compliance with environmental regulations, advancing SDG 12.

Government initiatives and regulatory reforms are accelerating investments in water infrastructure, including decentralized treatment and water reuse, contributing to SDG 11 and SDG 6. Increased consumer awareness about waterborne diseases and contamination further fuels market growth.

Restraints

High Capital Investment and Operational Complexity: The water treatment market faces challenges due to the high initial costs of advanced systems and the need for specialized operation and maintenance. These factors limit adoption in small businesses and developing regions, impacting equitable progress toward SDG 6. Regulatory fragmentation complicates compliance and certification processes.

Opportunities

Untapped Potential: Expansion into underserved rural and semi-urban areas, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, offers significant growth opportunities. Decentralized, solar-powered, and mobile treatment units can enhance water access, supporting SDG 6 and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Smart technologies such as AI, IoT, and data analytics enable intelligent water management systems, improving efficiency and sustainability. Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) business models reduce upfront costs, increasing accessibility for small industries and municipalities, aligning with SDG 9 and SDG 17.

Technology Insights

UV Disinfection: Dominated the market in 2024 due to its chemical-free, effective pathogen elimination, and low maintenance, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 6.

Chemical Treatment: Expected to grow fastest, addressing diverse contaminants including heavy metals and organic pollutants, crucial for industrial water safety and environmental protection.

Application Insights

Industrial Segment: Led the market in 2024, driven by high water usage in power generation, chemical processing, oil & gas, mining, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Compliance with environmental regulations and zero-liquid discharge mandates supports SDG 12 and SDG 6.

Municipal Segment: Projected to grow significantly due to urban population growth and demand for safe drinking water and sanitation, directly contributing to SDG 6 and SDG 11.

Treatment Type Insights

Primary Treatment: Held the largest market share in 2024 by removing large contaminants and protecting downstream processes, foundational for effective water treatment systems.

Secondary Treatment: Expected to grow rapidly by biologically removing dissolved organic matter to meet stricter environmental standards, supporting SDG 6 and SDG 14.

End-User Insights

Manufacturing: Dominated the market in 2024 due to extensive water use across various industries and the need for specialized treatment to meet regulatory standards, advancing SDG 9 and SDG 12.

Food & Beverage: Anticipated to grow fastest, emphasizing water quality for hygiene and safety, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 6.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific: Dominated the market in 2024 due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, with significant government investments in water infrastructure supporting SDG 6 and SDG 11.

North America: Fastest-growing region driven by infrastructure modernization, innovation, and stringent environmental regulations, promoting SDG 9 and SDG 13.

Europe: Growth supported by strict water quality regulations, climate resilience planning, and circular economy initiatives, aligning with SDG 6, SDG 12, and SDG 13.

Leading Companies in the Water Treatment Market

• Veolia Environment S.A.
• Suez S.A.
• Xylem Inc.
• Pentair plc
• Ecolab Inc.
• Danaher Corporation
• ITT Inc.
• GE Water & Process Technologies
• Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
• Aqua America, Inc.

Recent Development

• June 2025: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) announced plans to upgrade sewage treatment infrastructure to manage sewage and improve water quality in the Mula-Mutha River. The project aims to meet a treatment capacity of 1,092 million liters per day by 2027, funded through the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. This initiative supports SDG 6 by enhancing sanitation and water quality. (Source)

Market Segmentation

By Technology

• Membrane Filtration
• UV Disinfection
• Chemical Treatment
• Biological Treatment
• Others

By Application

• Municipal
• Industrial
• Residential
• Commercial
• Others

By Treatment Type

• Primary Treatment
• Secondary Treatment
• Tertiary Treatment

By End-User

• Utilities
• Manufacturing
• Food & Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses extensively on water treatment technologies and infrastructure to ensure access to safe and clean water.
   • It highlights the importance of water purification, wastewater treatment, and water reuse, which are central to SDG 6.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Discussion on industrial water treatment, infrastructure modernization, and adoption of advanced technologies like AI and IoT aligns with SDG 9.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article mentions urban water infrastructure upgrades, decentralized water treatment systems, and smart city projects.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Water reuse, recycling, and zero-liquid discharge systems discussed in the article support sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Climate change impacts on water resources and the need for resilient water treatment infrastructure are mentioned.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for water infrastructure modernization are highlighted as a key trend.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
   • Target 6.a: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water and sanitation-related activities.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 6
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (implied by focus on clean water access and treatment technologies).
   • Proportion of wastewater safely treated (implied by sewage treatment capacity upgrades and wastewater recycling systems).
   • Volume of water recycled and reused (implied by water reuse and zero-liquid discharge practices).
2. Indicators Related to SDG 9
   • Proportion of industries adopting sustainable water treatment technologies (implied by industrial segment growth and technology adoption such as AI and membrane filtration).
   • Investment in water infrastructure modernization (implied by government and private sector investments).
3. Indicators Related to SDG 11
   • Percentage of urban population with access to improved water and sanitation facilities (implied by municipal segment growth and urban infrastructure upgrades).
4. Indicators Related to SDG 12
   • Reduction in water pollution levels (implied by stricter discharge regulations and adoption of advanced treatment methods).
   • Amount of water saved through reuse and recycling (implied by water reuse practices).
5. Indicators Related to SDG 13
   • Number of water treatment facilities resilient to climate-related hazards (implied by climate resilience planning and infrastructure upgrades).
6. Indicators Related to SDG 17
   • Number and scale of public-private partnerships in water treatment projects (implied by PPP trends).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: precedenceresearch.com