Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market - By Technology, By Mode of Operation, By System Scale, By Application, By End Use, By Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market Size

The global water desalination and purification equipment market was estimated at USD 35.9 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 38.1 billion in 2025 to USD 77.8 billion in 2034 at a CAGR of 8.3%.
 

Population growth and urbanization are contributing to a heightened demand for freshwater, particularly in arid zones. Conventional supplies such as groundwater and rivers are being misused, deteriorating their water quality, and are subject to climatic changes that have resulted in a shortage. Desalination, as a source, has consequently gained prominence by being a prime preference. Techniques like reverse osmosis and electrodialysis transform seawater and brackish water into drinking water, ensuring a constant supply. Advances in such technologies have rendered them cheaper and energy-consuming, hence becoming attractive to employ. Business ventures, agriculture, and economic processes alike rely on water and therefore on desalination for water security in arid areas.
 

As droughts, reduced precipitation, and climate change continue to reduce water supplies, investment in desalination facilities is increasing globally. Growing demand for freshwater in the wake of emerging requirements is also propelling the growth of the market to bridge water scarcity.
 

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market Trends

The equipment for desalination and purification of water is increasing over time with the mounting water shortage, rapid urbanization, and increasing environmental pressures. Reverse osmosis (RO) continues to be the most utilized technology because of its cost-effective nature and decreased operating costs, particularly with the ongoing innovations in membrane materials. The U.S. Department of Energy has reported that the incorporation of renewable energy into desalination schemes has increased by 18% over the last decade.
 

IoT-based monitoring systems and digital twin models are being adopted in desalination facilities to enhance real-time monitoring, preventive maintenance, and overall process efficiency. Hybrid systems, which integrate various treatment mechanisms, are increasingly being employed for their power to enhance water recovery and energy saving. It is particularly prevalent in nations such as the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and North Africa, which have national plans that include the massive desalination plants.
 

Governments are increasingly demanding tighter standards on water conservation and quality, causing industries and cities to introduce innovative water treatment technologies. A lot of governments also offer incentives for energy-efficient desalination technology and the use of renewable power to make desalination units greener and less expensive. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are the traditional way of funding and constructing major desalination schemes, driving the development of the market. Finance for research and development (R&D) is also making desalination technology more cost-efficient and effective at the same time. Climate change regulations and water recycling regulations are augmenting demand for desalination and purification technologies as well.
 

Trump Administration Tariffs

The water desalination and purification equipment have also been greatly affected by tariffs under the Trump administration. The tariffs on the importation of steel, aluminum, and parts from nations like China have raised the price of critical material like pipes, pumps, valves, and membranes utilized in desalination equipment.
 

The U.S. Census Bureau, the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports of 10% and 25%, respectively, have done a great deal to increase material costs. This has imposed stress on water treatment plants and utility budgets, retarding maintenance and upgrades needed to critical infrastructure. Besides, water treatment chemicals such as chlorine and coagulants are taxed, resulting in price instability and supply chain disruption, and further costs to the operation of North American and European water treatment plants.
 

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market Analysis

Based on the Water Desalination and Purification Equipment category, the market is segmented into nanofiltration, reverse osmosis (RO), multi-stage flash (MSF) distillation, multi-effect distillation (MED), ultraviolet (UV) purification, activated carbon filtration, and others (ultrafiltration, ion exchange, etc). The ultraviolet (UV) purification segment witnessed significant growth from 2025 to 2034, emerging as the dominant force, generating a revenue of USD 8.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 20.5 billion by 2034.
 

• Ultraviolet (UV) purification is taking over the increase in the market owing to its numerous benefits. It is being applied across a variety of industries for treating water, as it can inactivate pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. UV purification leaves no toxic by-products as is the case with chemical treatment, and therefore, it is environmentally friendly. This helps address the rising demand for environmentally friendly technologies.
   
• UV systems have low maintenance, low-cost of operation, and are energy efficient, hence cheap in the long term. The systems are also simple to integrate into new and existing water treatment systems, hence enhancing their application in projects. Clean drinking water needs across the globe are increasing at a very fast rate. It is estimated that over 2 billion humans around the world lack access to clean drinking water, which makes innovative solutions like UV purification more necessary. With the advancing technology for UV lamps, the systems are getting harder and better, which increases the demand for higher use.
   
• Governments and nations also support UV technologies to meet tough water standards. For instance, the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prefers UV disinfection as a safe and effective method of water treatment. Likewise, the European Union has adopted stringent water quality standards under its Drinking Water Directive, which encourages the use of sophisticated technologies such as UV purification. Due to its ability to deliver clean water and assist in environmental objectives, UV purification is emerging as a top technology in the market for water desalination and purification equipment.

Based on the distribution channel, the market is segmented into direct and indirect. In 2024, the indirect channel segment emerged as the market leader, commanding a 50.12% market share, and is anticipated to reach a valuation of USD 37.6 billion by 2034.
 

• The indirect distribution channel is growing the water desalination and purification equipment market by generating win-win advantages for both manufacturers and customers. It allows manufacturers to cover more geographical areas without establishing a local presence in every place. When manufacturers partner with third-party distributors, dealers, and resellers, they can take advantage of their distribution networks and local market expertise to enter new markets more quickly. The direct channel partners already have pre-shaped relationships with customers, have strong knowledge of local regulations, and know what customers need. Therefore, the time to market for a product like water desalination and purification equipment can be sped up significantly.
  
   
• Indirect channels are also cost-effective because manufacturers do not have to invest so heavily in direct sales forces, infrastructures, or logistics. This cost-effective way of using indirect channel partners also allows for deeply improved customer satisfaction with the product and after-sales service because of the technical knowledge of channel partners and their responsibility for overall local customer satisfaction. In addition, indirect channels allow a manufacturer greater flexibility and scalability in their distribution system. They allow for expanded geographical reach quickly without a growing direct sales staff.
   

Based on the mode of operation, the water desalination and purification equipment market is segmented into an automatic system and manual system. The automatic segment is expected to hold a major share of 54.8% in 2024.
 

• Automatic systems allow continuous monitoring and control of critical operating parameters, such as pressure, flow rate, and chemical dosing, which enhances performance while decreasing the dependence on human actions. Though the initial investment in an automatic system is usually significantly higher than manual systems, the long-term savings are quite substantial, especially reducing dependence on labor, decreasing maintenance requirements, and improved energy efficiency. In addition, many automatic systems can be equipped with the Internet of Things and remote monitoring functionality, allowing the operator to control operations from a distance, important for large or remote desalination facilities.
   
• Although automation is critical to ensuring constant water quality, this can be important for municipal water suppliers, food processing facilities, or pharmaceutical operations. Automation can also enhance safety, as rapid detection and response to an operational exception can prevent potential damage and maintain regulatory compliance (e.g., collect real-time data and reporting). Automatic systems are also very elastic, as added capacity can be achieved more easily to meet increased water demands.

• The U.S. dominated the water desalination and purification equipment market, with a share of 84.30% of the total market share in North America in 2024. This share is expected to grow to a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. The United States is the primary country in the North American market of Water Desalination and Purification Equipment. The U.S. is a leader in many areas for the reason of considerable demand for water treatment sources in drought states such as California, Texas, and Florida. The U.S. also has many leading companies in the water technology sector, leading the supply of new water technology systems. Advanced technologies have even received support from the U.S. government, as well as tax rebates offered to improve environmental footprints.
   
• Additionally, with a focus on sustainability, renewable energies, and climate, we see not only a significant economic demand for water sources permeate, endure, and be part of Eco-friendly and sustainable climate solutions, but we will also see the United States position itself to be a significant player in the water treatment industry. Urban growth has aggressively pushed demand for large-scale water treatment services and presented considerable challenges within the U.S. markets. The demand for water treatment equipment has a bright future in the North American market due to developmental challenges around water treatment.
   
• The water desalination and purification equipment market in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing explosive growth throughout the region. This development is essentially caused by massive population growth and urbanization occurring within the region, especially in India, China, and Australia, where the population is exploding. Some areas of Asia have experienced severe water scarcity, which has led to better investment by respective governments into the area of desalination plants and advanced water treatment systems to assist with better management of standing water resources. Many governments throughout Asia Pacific are also actively engaged in finding sustainable models in water conservation.
   
• Strict environmental regulations in Europe are prompting the use of state-of-the-art water treatment technologies to satisfy quality control requirements. While the EU has focused on sustainability, as well as carbon footprint reductions that necessitated the need for sustainable and energy-efficient desalination units, it will also be addressing areas of Southern Europe experiencing water shortages, like Spain and Italy, through investment in new desalination plants. In addition to new plants, the EU also continues to modernize existing water systems and promote water reuse and recycling. The previous remarks, along with existing treatment exportation technologies, make Europe a vital area in the water desalination and purification markets globally.
   

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market Share

The top five companies by revenue—Veolia North America, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, Xylem Inc., Aquatech International, and IDE Technologies—all have market shares of around 40 - 50%. They are all global players with well-established reputations and significant market share. They typically provide a range of advanced energy-saving technologies such as reverse osmosis, UV purification, and membrane filtration systems, which serve city and industrial customers. All five companies provide complete suite services from system design to installation to maintenance and after-sales service, which makes them viable partners for larger projects.
 

They can also provide tailored solutions and management of larger, complex desalination plants, which has resulted in them receiving long-term, firm contracts with governments and industries across the globe. In addition, they develop technology through research and development to remain forward-looking. They focus on sustainability as support for the increasing demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient water treatment solutions, as well as partnerships with local utilities and companies, and governments, solidify their overall strategic position to remain leaders in the global market.
 

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Market Companies

Major players operating in the market are:

• Aquatech International
• Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction
• Dupont
• GE Water and Process Technologies
• Hyflux
• IDE Technologies
• Lenntech
• Membranium
• Pentair
• Saudi Arabian Amiantit
• Suez Water Technologies and Solutions
• Tata Projects
• Toray Industries
• Veolia North America
• Xylem
   

Aquatech International has many types of solutions for water treatment; they have reverse osmosis (RO) systems for seawater and brackish water desalination, heat desalination technologies such as Multi-Effect Distillation (MED), and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems that can recover industrial wastewater. Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has large-scale desalination technologies, like Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) and Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) systems, that are used mainly in the Middle East. DuPont manufactures and sells product solutions, including membranes for RO and nanofiltration, and ion exchange resins. GE Water and Process Technologies provides systems for industrial and municipal use, such as RO, Electrodeionization (EDI), and ultrafiltration; GE Water and Process Technologies is a SUEZ company. Hyflux is a former leader that developed its membrane technology and systems for RO and MBR.
 

IDE Technologies is regarded as a leader in both membrane and thermal desalination solutions, both thermal and RO, and thermal technologies that are energy-efficient, such as Mechanical Vapor Compression (MVC). Lenntech sells and consults for water treatment systems such as RO for municipal and industrial use, UV disinfection, ultrafiltration, and ion exchange systems. Membranium is part of RM Nanotech and produces membrane elements, and produces products made with membranes for RO and nanofiltration. Pentair sells filtration systems for homes and businesses, and larger membrane systems that permit water purification. Saudi Arabian Amiantit manufactures fiberglass pipes and fittings that permit the conveyance of even water and desalination adequacy, but they do not make desalination systems.
 

Water Desalination and Purification Equipment Industry News

• January 2024- ACCIONA spearheads is a project aimed at extracting high-value elements from seawater brine.
   
• November 2023- Veolia and Vendée Eau inaugurated France's first unit dedicated to reusing treated wastewater for drinking water production, under the Jourdain program. This initiative is set to augment the Vendée's drinking water supply by an extra 1.5 million m3 from May to October, addressing heightened scarcity.
   
• December 2023- SICASIL, SUEZ, and Agglomération Cannes Lérins have joined forces to safeguard water resources in the Cannes region, launching the So'EAU service to ensure the production of top-tier drinking water.
   

The water desalination and purification equipment market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($ Mn/Bn) and Volume in Thousand Units from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Technology

• Nanofiltration
• Reverse osmosis (RO)
• Multi-stage flash (MSF) distillation
• Multi-effect distillation (MED)
• Ultraviolet (UV) purification
• Activated carbon filtration
• Others (ultrafiltration, ion exchange, etc.)

Market, By Mode of Operation

• automatic systems
• manual systems

Market, By System Scale

• Small-scale system
• Medium scale system
• Large-scale systems

Market, By Application

• Desalination
• Water purification
• Industrial water treatment
• Household water treatment
• Agricultural water treatment
• Healthcare water treatment
• Others

Market, By End Use

• Municipal
• Industrial
• Residential
• Commercial
• Others (healthcare, agriculture)

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

The above information is provided for the following regions:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia