Top five water and wastewater markets worth $25 billion

Aug. 13, 2007

Wellesley, Mass -- According to a new technical market research report, "Growing Markets for Water and Wastewater Technologies -- ENV008A," from BCC Research, the top five global growth markets for water and wastewater technologies and products were China, India, Mexico, Egypt and Australia.

The expenditures for municipal water and wastewater applications were $8,066 million in 2005, $9,575 million in 2006, and $11,290 million in 2007. They are expected to grow at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.2% and reach $39,709 million by 2012. The municipal sector is a priority in almost every market. Because municipal water supply and quality directly affect so many people, it is typically funded first in both developed and developing countries.

The infrastructure applications market for fresh water supplies, drinking waterand wastewater collection and treatment amounted to $6,611 million in 2005, $7,862 million in 2006 and will exceed $9,287 million in 2007. This is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.6% to reach $32,041 million by 2012. Major new infrastructure systems are in great demand especially in developing countries. However, many infrastructure systems in developed countries are aging and developing leakage problems which will soon require extensive retrofitting and remediation.

The market for industrial water and wastewater equipment was $3,256 million in 2005, $3,926 million in 2006 and will exceed $4,696 million in 2007. On its current trajectory, it will grow at a CAGR of 14.2% to reach $10,111 million by 2012. Although this sector is typically smaller and implemented after municipal and infrastructure projects, the growing awareness of how industrial wastewater affects the water supply is stimulating government standards and regulations.