Water & Wastewater Treatment: Europe Market Scenario, Trends, Opportunity, Growth and Forecast, 2020-2030

Market Definition

Physical, biological, and chemical processes are used to treat water and wastewater. Water scarcity, expanding urbanization and industrialization, rising global population, and rigorous environmental restrictions are all factors that contribute to the growth of water and wastewater treatment market.

Depending on the properties of the wastewater and the desired end use, wastewater treatment is a sequence of physical, chemical, and biological operations that remove contaminants from wastewater to make it appropriate for other uses or for safe disposal into the environment. This procedure uses a number of primary, secondary, tertiary, and advanced techniques to get rid of various contaminants, whose size, toxicity, and dissemination may differ. Wastewater treatment is required to uphold legislation, safeguard public health, the environment, and water resources.

 Market Insights

As of August 2022, there is a drought warning across 40% of Europe, and 9% is on drought alert due to heat waves that have reduced freshwater availability in most countries. Currently, the majority of European nations are looking into a wide range of solutions for converting their current wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into hubs for resource recovery and reclamation. Producing potable water for direct or indirect reuse has been a major concern. Reclaimed water’s capacity to meet industrial and agricultural demand has become crucial to reducing water stress and shortages, particularly during droughts.

The quality of the wastewater discharged by European enterprises is being scrutinized more and more in an effort to increase water conservation measures. Food and beverage (F&B), chemicals, pharmaceuticals (including biotechnology), heavy machinery, and paper and pulp are some of the key industries being forced by strict regulatory enforcement to retrofit their existing plants or install MBR, MABR, or MBBR-based treatment systems for their high-quality effluent. They now have the option to create drinkable water following the proper tertiary treatment.

To expand their wastewater treatment capacity, Eastern European nations are obtaining special funding from the European Investment Bank and the World Bank as well as direct investment from nations like France and China. In the ensuing two to three years, this offers fresh chances for growth penetration into these sectors. As part of the effort to improve the water quality of the Danube, increase the region’s tourism potential, and meet EU water directive standards as part of the EU accession process, it is expected that 40 WWTPs will be built in the Balkan countries.

The wastewater treatment system in the UK is well-established. 1991 saw the adoption of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (the Directive). It is one of a number of European Directives (rules) that safeguard the environment of water and water used for drinking, recreation, and industry. Continuous efforts are being made to enhance wastewater treatment and make sure it complies with legal requirements. For instance, in order to increase effectiveness and lessen the environmental impact of treated wastewater, the UK government recently made investments in modernizing wastewater treatment infrastructure. For instance, PWN Technologies (wholly owned by Nijhuis Saur Industries [NSI]) is upgrading its Hampton Loade Water Treatment Works for the United Kingdom’s South Staffs Water, a regulated clean-water provider serving 1.3 million residents and 35,000 businesses. Post-completion of this upgrade, by Aug. 2024, the plant will be the world’s most significant ceramic membrane-based water treatment works.

The amount of wastewater produced daily in Germany by homes and particular sectors was 22.25 million m3. The German government controls and establishes guidelines for the nation’s wastewater treatment. The amount of contaminants that wastewater treatment facilities can discharge into water bodies is restricted by a series of laws known as the Wastewater Ordinance (AbwV). In Germany, all urban wastewater is processed in accordance with the provisions of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD). This is higher than the 76% EU average.

Every day, families and particular industries in France produced 14.72 million m3 of wastewater. Before being released, urban wastewater in France is processed in 3,289 facilities nationwide. 90% of France’s urban wastewater is ultimately treated in accordance with UWWTD specifications. This is higher than the 76% EU average.

Market Dynamics: Drivers

Rising Focus on Water Reuse

The use of treated wastewater for various non-potable activities, such as irrigation and industrial processes, is receiving more attention. Reusing treated wastewater offers a sustainable substitute for conventional freshwater sources as freshwater resources are increasingly in short supply as a result of climate change, population increase, and urbanisation.

Reusing cleaned wastewater has various advantages, including:

• Preserving freshwater resources: Freshwater resources can be preserved for drinking, cooking, and other potable uses by using treated wastewater for non-potable uses.
• Reducing wastewater discharge: By reusing treated wastewater, the quantity of wastewater discharged into water bodies can be decreased, conserving the environment and reducing wastewater’s negative effects on aquatic ecosystems.
• Increasing water availability: Reusing treated wastewater can increase the amount of water available for industrial and other non-potable applications, such as irrigation, which can help the economy thrive.
• Lowering costs: When freshwater resources are limited or expensive, using treated wastewater may be more economical than using them normally.

A high-quality effluent that is suitable for reuse is produced as a result of the increasingly strong emphasis being placed on water reuse. Reverse osmosis, membrane filtration, and sophisticated oxidation techniques are some of these technologies. Additionally, laws and rules are being implemented by governments and regulatory organisations to encourage the reuse of treated wastewater, opening up new prospects for expansion and innovation in the wastewater treatment industry.

Market Segmentation

• Based on Technology, the Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into
  • Filtration
  • Clarification
  • Reverse Osmosis Membranes
  • Ultrafiltration Membranes
  • Microfiltration Membranes
  • Nanofiltration Membranes
  • Disinfection
  • Others
• Based on End Use, the Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into
  • Municipal
    • Municipal Water
    • Municipal Wastewater
  • Industrial
    • Industrial Water
      • Oil & Gas
      • Chemicals
      • Power
      • Mining
      • Food & Beverages
      • Pulp and Paper
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Metal and Others
    • Industrial Wastewater
      • Oil & Gas
      • Chemicals
      • Power
      • Mining
      • Food & Beverages
      • Pulp and Paper
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Metal and Others
• Based on Country, the Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Denmark
  • Turkey
  • United Kingdom

• All market revenue has been given in US Dollar.

Historical Year: 2020-2021
Base Year: 2022
Estimated: 2023
Forecast- 2024-2030

Key Questions this Study will Answer

• What are the key overall market statistics or market estimates (Market Overview, Market Size- By Value, Market Size-By Volume, Forecast Numbers, Market Segmentation, Market Shares) of Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment Market?
• What is the region wise industry size, growth drivers and challenges key market trends?
• What are the key innovations, opportunities, current and future trends, and regulations in the Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment Concrete Market?
• Who are the key competitors, what are their key strength and weakness and how they perform in Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment Market based on competitive benchmarking matrix?
• What are the key results derived from the market surveys conducted during Europe Water & Wastewater Treatment Market study?