Market overview
The global wastewater utility market is worth USD 322 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 477 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Public is the largest by ownership segment.
| Scope | Revenue of utilities that collect, treat and discharge or reuse wastewater, including sewer charges from households, businesses and industry. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 310 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 322 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 477 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 223,220 million cubic metres |
| Volume 2036 | 258,123 million cubic metres |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1.44 per cubic metre |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Wastewater Utility market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 322 bn |
| 2027 | USD 335 bn |
| 2028 | USD 349 bn |
| 2029 | USD 363 bn |
| 2030 | USD 377 bn |
| 2031 | USD 392 bn |
| 2032 | USD 408 bn |
| 2033 | USD 424 bn |
| 2034 | USD 441 bn |
| 2035 | USD 459 bn |
| 2036 | USD 477 bn |
Wastewater Utility market segmentation
By ownership
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | 70.0% | 67.1% | USD 226 bn | 3.6% |
| Private | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 58.0 bn | 4.6% |
| Concession and PPP | 12.0% | 13.9% | USD 38.7 bn | 5.6% |
By service
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection and conveyance | 40.0% | 37.3% | USD 129 bn | 3.3% |
| Treatment | 45.0% | 44.1% | USD 145 bn | 3.8% |
| Sludge handling and reuse | 15.0% | 18.6% | USD 48.4 bn | 6.3% |
By customer
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 46.0% | 43.4% | USD 148 bn | 3.4% |
| Commercial and institutional | 22.0% | 21.8% | USD 70.9 bn | 3.9% |
| Industrial | 32.0% | 34.8% | USD 103 bn | 4.9% |
By treatment level
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 12.0% | 9.0% | USD 38.7 bn | 1.1% |
| Secondary | 46.0% | 42.0% | USD 148 bn | 3.1% |
| Tertiary and advanced | 42.0% | 49.0% | USD 135 bn | 5.6% |
By revenue source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household sewer charges | 56.0% | 53.0% | USD 181 bn | 3.4% |
| Trade effluent and industrial charges | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 70.9 bn | 4.0% |
| Reuse and by-product sales | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 25.8 bn | 6.3% |
| Connection fees | 14.0% | 15.0% | USD 45.1 bn | 4.7% |
Top 25 countries for wastewater utility by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 72.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 91.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 70.9 bn | 22.0% | USD 98.8 bn | 3.4% |
| 2 | China | USD 58.0 bn | 18.0% | USD 97.8 bn | 5.4% |
| 3 | Japan | USD 19.3 bn | 6.0% | USD 23.4 bn | 1.9% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 19.3 bn | 6.0% | USD 24.3 bn | 2.3% |
| 5 | France | USD 14.5 bn | 4.5% | USD 18.1 bn | 2.3% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | USD 14.5 bn | 4.5% | USD 20.0 bn | 3.3% |
| 7 | Italy | USD 9.7 bn | 3.0% | USD 12.9 bn | 2.9% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 9.7 bn | 3.0% | USD 17.2 bn | 5.9% |
| 9 | India | USD 9.7 bn | 3.0% | USD 22.4 bn | 8.8% |
| 10 | Canada | USD 8.1 bn | 2.5% | USD 11.5 bn | 3.6% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 7.4 bn | 2.3% | USD 10.7 bn | 3.8% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 6.7 bn | 2.1% | USD 9.8 bn | 3.9% |
| 13 | Australia | USD 6.1 bn | 1.9% | USD 8.9 bn | 3.8% |
| 14 | Mexico | USD 5.5 bn | 1.7% | USD 8.1 bn | 3.9% |
| 15 | South Korea | USD 5.1 bn | 1.6% | USD 7.3 bn | 3.8% |
| 16 | Russia | USD 4.6 bn | 1.4% | USD 6.7 bn | 3.8% |
| 17 | Poland | USD 4.2 bn | 1.3% | USD 6.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 18 | Turkey | USD 3.8 bn | 1.2% | USD 5.5 bn | 3.8% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 3.5 bn | 1.1% | USD 5.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 20 | Sweden | USD 3.2 bn | 1.0% | USD 4.6 bn | 3.8% |
| 21 | Switzerland | USD 2.9 bn | 0.9% | USD 4.2 bn | 3.9% |
| 22 | Saudi Arabia | USD 2.6 bn | 0.8% | USD 4.8 bn | 6.2% |
| 23 | Indonesia | USD 2.4 bn | 0.7% | USD 4.3 bn | 6.2% |
| 24 | Argentina | USD 2.2 bn | 0.7% | USD 3.1 bn | 3.8% |
| 25 | Austria | USD 2.0 bn | 0.6% | USD 2.9 bn | 3.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 26.6 bn | 8.2% | USD 38.6 bn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Veolia
- Suez
- American Water Works
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group
- Severn Trent
- United Utilities
- Aqualia
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Sabesp
- Anglian Water
- Thames Water
- SAUR
- Aguas Andinas
- Manila Water
- Pennon Group
- Yorkshire Water
- Essential Utilities
- Sydney Water
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Aguas de Portugal
- Water Corporation
- Delhi Jal Board
- PUB Singapore
- Hera Group
- Acea
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the wastewater utility market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by ownership, by service, by customer, by treatment level, by revenue source. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the wastewater utility market?
The global wastewater utility market is estimated at USD 310 bn in 2025 and USD 322 bn in 2026.
How fast will the wastewater utility market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 477 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 155 bn.
Which country is the largest market for wastewater utility?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 70.9 bn in 2026, 22.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 46.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.8% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which wastewater utility segment is largest?
In the by ownership split, Public is the largest segment with 70.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading wastewater utility companies?
Global leaders include Veolia, Suez, American Water Works, Beijing Enterprises Water Group.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Services and Utilities
- Business Process OutsourcingUSD 321 bn · 7.0% CAGR
- Electricity TransmissionUSD 320 bn · 6.0% CAGR
- Security ServicesUSD 316 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Solar EPCUSD 309 bn · 6.5% CAGR
- Cold Chain LogisticsUSD 308 bn · 7.5% CAGR
- Management ConsultingUSD 348 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Mutual FundUSD 295 bn · 5.8% CAGR
- Taxi ServiceUSD 295 bn · 5.8% CAGR