Water Treatment Equipment Market Size

Water Treatment Equipment Market size was valued at USD 65.1 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.6% between 2024 and 2032. The rapid market growth is attributed to the growing demand for effective water treatment solutions from various end users, strict water treatment laws & policies, and technological advancements. Water treatment systems are widely used in industries such as agricultural, chemical, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. The hazardous contamination of the water supply and rise in water-borne diseases are driving residential end users to seek effective water treatment options.

According to Aquasana, a water system provider found that 77% of Americans filtered their drinking water at home in 2022, a steady rise compared to 74% in 2021. Water is essential for life, an indispensable resource for the economy, and plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle. Therefore, the management & protection of water resources, fresh & saltwater ecosystems, and the water used for drinking and bathing is one of the cornerstones of environmental protection.

The demand for water treatment equipment will also be driven by the stringent laws and regulations for water treatment established by governments around the world. For instance, in April 2024, the EPA imposed the first-ever regulations limiting a group of the most dangerous Per- & Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) compounds, which will improve water safety in the U.S. According to a study, at least one PFAS was found in 45% of drinking water samples. These substances, made of over 10,000 different compounds, are used in firefighting foams in industrial, landfill, and fire training & response applications. They are also found in wastewater treatment facilities and related byproducts such as biosolids. High interaction with PFAS raises the risk of thyroid-related illnesses, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and liver damage.

The high initial cost of implementing these systems in both residential and industrial applications hinder the global water treatment equipment market. This expense can discourage potential consumers, especially in locations or industries with limited resources. The cost of water treatment equipment varies according to technology, technique, system capacity, and flow rate. Furthermore, the materials used to produce the treatment equipment might influence its total cost. When it comes to materials, industries frequently prioritize quality standards since treated water must comply with state and municipal regulations.

Water Treatment Equipment Market Trends

The market for water treatment equipment is growing due to the increasing demand for clean water, stricter regulations, and technological advancements. Cutting-edge technologies, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration membranes, are rapidly replacing classic filtration methods such as sand filters. These technologies offer improved removal of viruses, bacteria, and newly emerging contaminants. Self-cleaning and automated features are increasingly gaining popularity, as they boost productivity while reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, technological improvements are being spurred by increased concerns about water shortages, harsher environmental restrictions, and the need for effective & sustainable water treatment technologies.

According to projections made by the International Desalination Association, desalination capacity is anticipated to reach 200 million cubic meters per day globally by 2030. This highlights the growing role of Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology in addressing water scarcity. Innovations in membrane materials are focusing on improved efficiency, lower energy consumption, and better fouling resistance. 

Water Treatment Equipment Market Analysis

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Based on product type, the market is categorized into sedimentation tanks, filtration systems, disinfection equipment, softening equipment, membrane systems, and others. Membrane systems dominated the market with a share of 26% in 2023 and are expected to reach around USD 32.1 billion by 2032. This growth is attributed to consumer preference for membrane systems in water treatment, which separate contaminants based on elements, such as size or charge, using either dead-end filtering or crossflow filtration.

Advanced technologies, such as membrane bioreactors, Microfiltration (MF), Ultrafiltration (UF) coupled with Nanofiltration (NF) and RO membranes, and Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), are currently being used to remove trace components. Membrane technologies including RO are gaining market share due to their capacity to remove impurities at the molecular level. Emerging membrane technologies for sustainable water treatment using innovative membrane materials and designs address several difficulties.

Based on technology, the water treatment equipment market is segmented into Reverse Osmosis (RO), microfiltration, clarifier, distillation, ion exchange, and others. The Reverse Osmosis (RO) segment was valued at around USD 21 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2032. RO systems’ growing popularity in municipal, industrial, and domestic water treatment applications is credited to their capacity to effectively remove dissolved particles through desalination process. On the other hand, microfiltration systems are widely used to remove particles and germs as a pre-treatment step before further procedures.

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Based on distribution channel, the water treatment equipment market is segmented into direct and indirect. The direct distribution channel segment was valued at around USD 38.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to witness over 5.8% CAGR through 2032. Manufacturers utilizing the direct channel sell equipment directly to end customers such as municipalities, industrial enterprises, and large residential complexes. This approach allows manufacturers to offer technical expertise, customized solutions, and after-sales support, making it appropriate for large-scale systems and projects in the municipal, industrial, and commercial sectors. Manufacturers can increase their profits by removing middlemen and selling directly.

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Asia Pacific dominated water treatment equipment market with a share of 39.3% in 2023 and will grow at a robust CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. This dominance is driven by growing industrialization, urbanization, and population expansion in large economies, such as China and India. These countries require significant expenditures on enhancing access to clean water and sanitation for their enormous populations through municipal treatment facilities.

In terms of country, the U.S. dominated the North America water treatment equipment market with a share of about 78% in the 2023. The growth can be attributed to the various factors such as the rising demand for effective water treatment solutions and growing adoption of smart water treatment solutions, such as remote monitoring and control systems. Furthermore, the U.S. government's stringent laws and new investments in the water treatment sector are encouraging the market growth.

Germany is promoting the development of water treatment technologies in both the industrial and municipal sectors. Germany is known for its advanced industrial and technology sectors. The country's strict environmental restrictions increase demand for high-quality water treatment technologies. This is expected to boost sales of water treatment equipment by 5.7% in terms of value from 2024 to 2032.

China dominated the Asia Pacific water treatment equipment market with a revenue of around USD 8.91 billion in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. China's water treatment industry is experiencing rapid growth due to growing urbanization, industrialization, and environmental concerns. The government's measures to improve water quality and reduce pollution have boosted the demand for water treatment equipment in various industries including municipal, industrial, and agricultural.

Water Treatment Equipment Market Share

The key players operating in the market are A.O Smith Corporation, Evoqua Water Technologies, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., and Pentair plc together holds 15%-20% Market share in 2023. The market is highly fragmented due to the presence of large and medium-sized manufacturers competing for share, with no single player dominating the landscape. The evolving nature of the market due to the rising demand for cutting-edge technology including membrane materials makes it attractive for new entrants. Manufacturers also compete on price and strategies to attract budget-conscious consumers.

Water Treatment Equipment Market Companies

Major companies operating in the water treatment equipment industry include:

• ALAR Water Treatment
• AO Smith
• ChemREADY
• Culligan
• Evoqua Water Technologies
• Ecowater
• Kurita Europe GmbH
• LennTech B.V
• Pall Corporation
• Parkson Corporation
• Pentair
• SAMCO
• Smith & Loveless
• Suez
• Veolia
  

Water Treatment Equipment Industry News

• In January 2024, Culligan acquired Primo Water Corporation’s international businesses across Europe. The transaction included all Primo Water EMEA businesses, except for those in the UK, Portugal, and Israel, and Aimia Foods. Due to this, Culligan now services 1.35 million installed water coolers, with a workforce of 8,000 employees and strategic locations and production sites across EMEA. Through this transaction, Culligan broadened its footprint in 12 countries where it already operates and entered into the Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia markets.
  
• In November 2023, EcoWater launched the eflow Tankless Reverse Osmosis System. The system offers continuous flow, space-saving design, and east-to-change filters. The product is exclusively sold through EcoWater’s authorized dealerships.
  
• In September 2023, A.O. Smith Corporation acquired Water Tec of Tucson, an Arizona-based water treatment company, in an all-cash transaction. Water Tec is a manufacturer and dealer of water-treatment equipment for residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial use. Water Tec’s products are sold through its retail dealership, located in Tucson. The acquisition of Water Tec further expanded its West Coast presence and supported its growth strategy.
  

The water treatment equipment market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (Thousand Units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product type

• Sedimentation tanks
• Filtration systems
• Disinfection equipment
• Softening equipment
• Membrane systems
• Others

Market, By Technology

• Reverse osmosis
• Microfiltration
• Clarifier
• Distillation
• Ion exchange
• Others

Market, By End-Use

• Residential 
• Agriculture
• Chemical manufacturing
• Food processing
• Construction
• Pharmaceutical production
• Others

Market, By Distribution channel

• Direct
• Indirect

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

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