GITNUXREPORT 2025

Water Industry Statistics

Water industry faces aging infrastructure, rising demand, and urgent modernization needs.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The use of artificial intelligence in water management can improve leak detection accuracy by up to 30%

Statistic 2

Water utilities that adopt digital solutions report on average 15% savings in operational costs

Statistic 3

The use of blockchain technology in water trading and management is in nascent stages but shows promising potential for transparency

Statistic 4

There is a rising trend of digital twin technology adoption in water infrastructure management for predictive maintenance and simulation

Statistic 5

Approximately 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatment

Statistic 6

The majority of water used in agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals

Statistic 7

By 2030, global water demand is expected to increase by 50%, mainly due to an increase in agricultural, industrial, and municipal water needs

Statistic 8

Microplastics have been found in 100% of the tested bottled waters globally

Statistic 9

Water contamination causes around 485,000 diarrheal deaths globally each year

Statistic 10

Water reuse and recycling can reduce freshwater withdrawal by up to 80%

Statistic 11

The industrial sector consumes approximately 54% of total global water withdrawal

Statistic 12

Water temperature is a critical factor in aquatic ecosystems, affecting species distribution and health

Statistic 13

Nearly 3% of the world’s water is stored in glaciers and ice caps, acting as major freshwater reservoirs

Statistic 14

Climate change is projected to cause a 20-30% decrease in freshwater availability in many regions by 2050, impacting water supply and management

Statistic 15

The global water and wastewater treatment market is projected to reach $423.45 billion by 2027

Statistic 16

The water industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6% from 2021 to 2028

Statistic 17

The U.S. water and wastewater industry is worth approximately $270 billion annually

Statistic 18

The average American family spends about $1,000 annually on water utilities

Statistic 19

The global market for smart water meters is expected to reach $8 billion by 2025

Statistic 20

The global market for water sensors is predicted to grow to $2.5 billion by 2027

Statistic 21

In 2020, China was the world's largest producer of bottled water, with over 38 billion liters sold

Statistic 22

The economic losses due to inadequate water infrastructure in urban areas are estimated at over $500 billion annually

Statistic 23

The global market for wastewater treatment chemicals is valued at over $22 billion

Statistic 24

The global infrastructure spending on water projects is expected to exceed $1 trillion over the next decade

Statistic 25

Globally, water-related disasters cause an estimated $40 billion in damages annually

Statistic 26

The global market for portable water purification devices is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2025

Statistic 27

The deployment of IoT devices for water management is expected to increase by over 20% annually through 2025

Statistic 28

Urban water demand in some cities has increased by as much as 60% over the past decade, due to rapid urbanization

Statistic 29

The global market for water desalination equipment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2021 to 2028

Statistic 30

The adoption of remote sensing technology for water resource management is increasing, with applications in drought monitoring and flood detection

Statistic 31

In 2020, the global bottled water market was valued at over $300 billion, with Asia-Pacific being the largest consumer market

Statistic 32

The global water infrastructure market is expected to reach $650 billion by 2030, driven by aging infrastructure and urbanization

Statistic 33

Increased investment in water reuse projects is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% during 2021-2028

Statistic 34

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are increasingly used in water treatment to remove emerging contaminants, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 35

An estimated 2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services

Statistic 36

Desalination is responsible for producing roughly 300 million gallons of drinking water daily worldwide

Statistic 37

The median age of global water infrastructure is over 40 years, leading to increasing maintenance costs and failures

Statistic 38

The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of the water and wastewater treatment market, accounting for over 40% of the global market

Statistic 39

Leakages in municipal water systems can account for up to 50% of water loss, depending on the city

Statistic 40

The energy required to pump, treat, and distribute water accounts for about 4% of global electricity consumption

Statistic 41

As of 2021, over 3,000 desalination plants operate around the world, providing fresh water in arid regions

Statistic 42

Approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide drink contaminated water from unimproved sources

Statistic 43

The median age of wastewater infrastructure in Europe is over 50 years, raising concerns about failures and environmental risks

Statistic 44

Water efficiency improvements in commercial buildings can reduce water use by up to 25%

Statistic 45

Governments worldwide spend approximately $160 billion annually on water infrastructure projects

Statistic 46

The global market for water leak detection sensors is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2021 to 2028

Statistic 47

The total global wastewater treatment capacity is expected to reach 700 billion gallons per day by 2030

Statistic 48

The average age of pipelines in many developed countries exceeds 50 years, leading to increased failures and costly repairs

Statistic 49

The adoption rate of green infrastructure solutions for urban water management has increased significantly in the last decade, enhancing resilience and water quality

Statistic 50

Data from the International Water Association indicates that effective water loss control programs can reduce non-revenue water by up to 25-50%, saving billions annually

Statistic 51

Globally, around 785 million people lack access to basic drinking water services, representing about 10% of the world’s population

Statistic 52

The rate of pipeline leakages in urban water systems can reach up to 30% in developing countries, resulting in substantial losses

Statistic 53

The total number of rural water supply systems worldwide is over 350,000, serving approximately 1 billion people

Statistic 54

Industrial water treatment accounts for a significant portion of the water industry’s revenue, with a market size of over $50 billion

Statistic 55

Innovative water treatment technologies such as membrane filtration and UV disinfection are rapidly increasing market adoption rates

Statistic 56

The use of UV-C light in water treatment is increasing, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 57

The cost of implementing advanced water treatment technologies has decreased by approximately 30% over the past five years, making them more accessible for municipalities

Statistic 58

The market for biodegradable and environmentally friendly water treatment chemicals is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% till 2027

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Key Highlights

The global water and wastewater treatment market is projected to reach $423.45 billion by 2027
Approximately 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatment
The majority of water used in agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals
The water industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6% from 2021 to 2028
An estimated 2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services
The U.S. water and wastewater industry is worth approximately $270 billion annually
Industrial water treatment accounts for a significant portion of the water industry’s revenue, with a market size of over $50 billion
Desalination is responsible for producing roughly 300 million gallons of drinking water daily worldwide
By 2030, global water demand is expected to increase by 50%, mainly due to an increase in agricultural, industrial, and municipal water needs
The median age of global water infrastructure is over 40 years, leading to increasing maintenance costs and failures
The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of the water and wastewater treatment market, accounting for over 40% of the global market
The average American family spends about $1,000 annually on water utilities
Microplastics have been found in 100% of the tested bottled waters globally

With the global water industry poised to surge to over $423 billion by 2027 amidst mounting challenges such as aging infrastructure, water scarcity affecting billions, and emerging contamination concerns, innovative technologies and unprecedented investments are reshaping the future of how we manage and sustain this vital resource.

Digital Innovation and Smart Water Management

The use of artificial intelligence in water management can improve leak detection accuracy by up to 30%
Water utilities that adopt digital solutions report on average 15% savings in operational costs
The use of blockchain technology in water trading and management is in nascent stages but shows promising potential for transparency
There is a rising trend of digital twin technology adoption in water infrastructure management for predictive maintenance and simulation

Digital Innovation and Smart Water Management Interpretation

As the water industry edges toward digital sophistication—from AI-enabled leak detection and blockchain-backed transparency to the emerging realm of digital twins—it's clear that smart technology is drying up inefficiencies and bubbling over with promise for a more sustainable, cost-efficient future.

Environmental and Sustainability Challenges

Approximately 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatment
The majority of water used in agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals
By 2030, global water demand is expected to increase by 50%, mainly due to an increase in agricultural, industrial, and municipal water needs
Microplastics have been found in 100% of the tested bottled waters globally
Water contamination causes around 485,000 diarrheal deaths globally each year
Water reuse and recycling can reduce freshwater withdrawal by up to 80%
The industrial sector consumes approximately 54% of total global water withdrawal
Water temperature is a critical factor in aquatic ecosystems, affecting species distribution and health
Nearly 3% of the world’s water is stored in glaciers and ice caps, acting as major freshwater reservoirs
Climate change is projected to cause a 20-30% decrease in freshwater availability in many regions by 2050, impacting water supply and management

Environmental and Sustainability Challenges Interpretation

With 80% of wastewater dumped untreated, microplastics in every bottled water, and global water demand set to soar by 50% by 2030, it's clear that unless we radically rethink our water stewardship—integrating reuse, reducing industrial consumption, and confronting climate impacts—our planet's most precious resource risks becoming severely depleted and dangerously polluted.

Market Trends and Economic Impact

The global water and wastewater treatment market is projected to reach $423.45 billion by 2027
The water industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6% from 2021 to 2028
The U.S. water and wastewater industry is worth approximately $270 billion annually
The average American family spends about $1,000 annually on water utilities
The global market for smart water meters is expected to reach $8 billion by 2025
The global market for water sensors is predicted to grow to $2.5 billion by 2027
In 2020, China was the world's largest producer of bottled water, with over 38 billion liters sold
The economic losses due to inadequate water infrastructure in urban areas are estimated at over $500 billion annually
The global market for wastewater treatment chemicals is valued at over $22 billion
The global infrastructure spending on water projects is expected to exceed $1 trillion over the next decade
Globally, water-related disasters cause an estimated $40 billion in damages annually
The global market for portable water purification devices is projected to reach $2.7 billion by 2025
The deployment of IoT devices for water management is expected to increase by over 20% annually through 2025
Urban water demand in some cities has increased by as much as 60% over the past decade, due to rapid urbanization
The global market for water desalination equipment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2021 to 2028
The adoption of remote sensing technology for water resource management is increasing, with applications in drought monitoring and flood detection
In 2020, the global bottled water market was valued at over $300 billion, with Asia-Pacific being the largest consumer market
The global water infrastructure market is expected to reach $650 billion by 2030, driven by aging infrastructure and urbanization
Increased investment in water reuse projects is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% during 2021-2028
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are increasingly used in water treatment to remove emerging contaminants, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030

Market Trends and Economic Impact Interpretation

As the global water market swells toward a trillion-dollar infrastructure boom fueled by urbanization and innovation, investment in smart meters, sensors, and advanced treatment methods underscores that even as we tap into vast financial resources, the true challenge remains ensuring clean water flows reliably to all, or risk paying the price of neglect—literally.

Water Infrastructure and Urban Development

An estimated 2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services
Desalination is responsible for producing roughly 300 million gallons of drinking water daily worldwide
The median age of global water infrastructure is over 40 years, leading to increasing maintenance costs and failures
The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of the water and wastewater treatment market, accounting for over 40% of the global market
Leakages in municipal water systems can account for up to 50% of water loss, depending on the city
The energy required to pump, treat, and distribute water accounts for about 4% of global electricity consumption
As of 2021, over 3,000 desalination plants operate around the world, providing fresh water in arid regions
Approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide drink contaminated water from unimproved sources
The median age of wastewater infrastructure in Europe is over 50 years, raising concerns about failures and environmental risks
Water efficiency improvements in commercial buildings can reduce water use by up to 25%
Governments worldwide spend approximately $160 billion annually on water infrastructure projects
The global market for water leak detection sensors is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7% from 2021 to 2028
The total global wastewater treatment capacity is expected to reach 700 billion gallons per day by 2030
The average age of pipelines in many developed countries exceeds 50 years, leading to increased failures and costly repairs
The adoption rate of green infrastructure solutions for urban water management has increased significantly in the last decade, enhancing resilience and water quality
Data from the International Water Association indicates that effective water loss control programs can reduce non-revenue water by up to 25-50%, saving billions annually
Globally, around 785 million people lack access to basic drinking water services, representing about 10% of the world’s population
The rate of pipeline leakages in urban water systems can reach up to 30% in developing countries, resulting in substantial losses
The total number of rural water supply systems worldwide is over 350,000, serving approximately 1 billion people

Water Infrastructure and Urban Development Interpretation

Despite heavy investments and technological strides—with over 3,000 desalination plants supplying 300 million gallons daily and billions spent annually—global water infrastructure is aging beyond its prime, leakages can account for up to half of urban water losses, and still one in ten people lack access to safe drinking water, highlighting that in many regions, the battle for clean, reliable water remains as much about renewal and repair as it is about innovation.

Water Treatment Technologies and Solutions

Industrial water treatment accounts for a significant portion of the water industry’s revenue, with a market size of over $50 billion
Innovative water treatment technologies such as membrane filtration and UV disinfection are rapidly increasing market adoption rates
The use of UV-C light in water treatment is increasing, with the market expected to grow at a CAGR of 8% from 2022 to 2030
The cost of implementing advanced water treatment technologies has decreased by approximately 30% over the past five years, making them more accessible for municipalities
The market for biodegradable and environmentally friendly water treatment chemicals is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% till 2027

Water Treatment Technologies and Solutions Interpretation

As innovative, eco-friendly water treatment technologies become more affordable and widespread, the industry’s $50 billion market is not only deepening its capacity to purify but also turning sustainability into a smart investment—showing that cleaning water and saving the planet can go hand in hand.