Market overview
The global water utility market is worth USD 788 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.3 tn by 2036, growing at a 5.0% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Water supply and distribution is the largest by service segment.
| Scope | Revenue earned by utilities from supplying drinking water and collecting and treating wastewater to households, businesses and industry. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 750 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 788 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 1.3 tn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 448,544 million cubic metres |
| Volume 2036 | 543,658 million cubic metres |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1.76 per cubic metre |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Water Utility market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 788 bn |
| 2027 | USD 827 bn |
| 2028 | USD 868 bn |
| 2029 | USD 912 bn |
| 2030 | USD 957 bn |
| 2031 | USD 1,005 bn |
| 2032 | USD 1,055 bn |
| 2033 | USD 1,108 bn |
| 2034 | USD 1,163 bn |
| 2035 | USD 1,222 bn |
| 2036 | USD 1,283 bn |
Water Utility market segmentation
By service
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water supply and distribution | 46.0% | 43.3% | USD 362 bn | 4.4% |
| Wastewater collection | 20.0% | 19.8% | USD 158 bn | 4.9% |
| Wastewater treatment | 34.0% | 36.9% | USD 268 bn | 5.9% |
By customer
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | 52.0% | 49.7% | USD 410 bn | 4.5% |
| Commercial and institutional | 26.0% | 26.1% | USD 205 bn | 5.0% |
| Industrial | 22.0% | 24.2% | USD 173 bn | 6.0% |
By ownership
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal utilities | 46.0% | 43.9% | USD 362 bn | 4.5% |
| State and regional utilities | 22.0% | 21.0% | USD 173 bn | 4.5% |
| Private and concession operators | 32.0% | 35.2% | USD 252 bn | 6.0% |
By billing basis
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metered volumetric | 62.0% | 66.0% | USD 488 bn | 5.7% |
| Flat rate and unmetered | 16.0% | 10.0% | USD 126 bn | 0.2% |
| Fixed charges and connection fees | 22.0% | 24.0% | USD 173 bn | 5.9% |
By utility size
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 100,000 connections) | 18.0% | 16.0% | USD 142 bn | 3.8% |
| Medium (100,000 to 1 million) | 34.0% | 33.0% | USD 268 bn | 4.7% |
| Large (above 1 million) | 48.0% | 51.0% | USD 378 bn | 5.6% |
Top 25 countries for water 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 73.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.6%.
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 173 bn | 22.0% | USD 258 bn | 4.1% |
| 2 | China | USD 158 bn | 20.0% | USD 296 bn | 6.5% |
| 3 | Japan | USD 47.2 bn | 6.0% | USD 60.3 bn | 2.5% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 39.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 52.6 bn | 2.9% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | USD 31.5 bn | 4.0% | USD 47.5 bn | 4.2% |
| 6 | France | USD 31.5 bn | 4.0% | USD 44.9 bn | 3.6% |
| 7 | India | USD 31.5 bn | 4.0% | USD 74.4 bn | 9.0% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 27.6 bn | 3.5% | USD 50.0 bn | 6.1% |
| 9 | Italy | USD 19.7 bn | 2.5% | USD 28.2 bn | 3.7% |
| 10 | Australia | USD 19.7 bn | 2.5% | USD 29.5 bn | 4.1% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 17.9 bn | 2.3% | USD 29.1 bn | 5.0% |
| 12 | Spain | USD 16.2 bn | 2.1% | USD 26.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 13 | South Korea | USD 14.8 bn | 1.9% | USD 24.1 bn | 5.0% |
| 14 | Netherlands | USD 13.5 bn | 1.7% | USD 21.9 bn | 5.0% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 12.3 bn | 1.6% | USD 19.9 bn | 4.9% |
| 16 | Russia | USD 11.2 bn | 1.4% | USD 18.1 bn | 4.9% |
| 17 | Turkey | USD 10.2 bn | 1.3% | USD 16.5 bn | 5.0% |
| 18 | Poland | USD 9.2 bn | 1.2% | USD 15.0 bn | 5.0% |
| 19 | Belgium | USD 8.4 bn | 1.1% | USD 13.7 bn | 5.0% |
| 20 | Argentina | USD 7.6 bn | 1.0% | USD 12.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 21 | South Africa | USD 6.9 bn | 0.9% | USD 11.3 bn | 5.0% |
| 22 | Indonesia | USD 6.3 bn | 0.8% | USD 12.8 bn | 7.4% |
| 23 | Switzerland | USD 5.7 bn | 0.7% | USD 9.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 24 | Sweden | USD 5.3 bn | 0.7% | USD 8.6 bn | 5.0% |
| 25 | Egypt | USD 4.8 bn | 0.6% | USD 9.7 bn | 7.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 58.4 bn | 7.4% | USD 92.1 bn | 4.7% |
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
- Aqualia
- Thames Water
- Anglian Water
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Severn Trent
- United Utilities
- Sabesp
- Essential Utilities
- Yorkshire Water
- Pennon Group
- American States Water
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Aguas Andinas
- Manila Water
- Copasa
- Rand Water
- Sydney Water
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 water 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 5.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by service, by customer, by ownership, by billing basis, by utility size. 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 water utility market?
The global water utility market is estimated at USD 750 bn in 2025 and USD 788 bn in 2026.
How fast will the water utility market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 1.3 tn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 495 bn.
Which country is the largest market for water utility?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 173 bn in 2026, 22.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 48.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which water utility segment is largest?
In the by service split, Water supply and distribution is the largest segment with 46.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading water utility companies?
Global leaders include Veolia, SUEZ, American Water Works, Beijing Enterprises Water.
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