India Wastewater Treatment Market Assessment, By Product Type, By Technology, By Application, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

India wastewater treatment market is expected to observe a CAGR of 10.28% during the forecast period FY2025-FY2032, rising from USD 1.69 billion in FY2024 to USD 3.70 billion in FY2032. The market has experienced significant growth in recent years and is expected to maintain a strong pace of expansion over the upcoming years.

In India, industrial growth and rapid urbanization have resulted in the need for wastewater treatment. The untreated wastewater contains dangerous contaminants like pathogens and toxic chemicals responsible for serious health problems. Wastewater causes environmental degradation by polluting rivers and lakes. Thus, proper management of wastewater is highly vital to serve the purpose of environmental regulations and preserve natural water resources for a healthier and sustainable future for the ever-growing population of the nation.

As per NITI Aayog, India generates 72368 million liters per day (MLD) of urban wastewater, out of which only 28% (i.e. 20,236 MLD) is treated for recycling which implies that 72% of the wastewater remains untreated and disposed of in rivers, or lakes. Hence, to mend the gap between treated and untreated wastewater, the implementation of decentralized water treatment systems, and the development of new technologies for water recycling is necessary.

Rise in Wastewater Generation from the Industrial Sector is Augmenting the Market Growth

In India, wastewater treatment in manufacturing industries has become mandatory due to the enormous amounts of waste generated by the industrial sector, which contains high quantities of heavy metal particles, oils, and other chemicals. If released untreated, this waste can severely damage the ecosystem and water quality surrounding these plants. Industries involved in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and chemical production generate large volumes of wastewater as a result of using solvents, acids, and other chemicals in their production processes. Additionally, the food processing sector produces wastewater rich in organic matter, oils, and nutrients, further driving the demand for wastewater treatment across various sectors.

In the industrial sector, wastewater treatment effectively removes pollutants and pathogens through advanced methods such as filtration and chemical dosing. The treated water is then utilized in cooling systems or discharged into nearby water bodies, minimizing ecological impact and promoting sustainable water use.

For instance, the Central Pollution Control Board of India has passed the Guidelines on Zero Liquid Discharge for the industrial sector. The plan will emphasize monitoring regarding the treated urban wastewater in order to avoid any possibility of contamination of groundwater.

Government Initiatives Amplifying Market Prosperity in India's Wastewater Treatment Sector

The government regulations implemented on wastewater treatment are essential for the welfare of public health and environmental protection. Regulatory frameworks promote the adoption of effective wastewater treatment technologies and practices and facilitate monitoring and reporting, thereby easing the data collection process regarding wastewater volume and its impacts on the environment. The government is taking the initiative to open up new water treatment management plans, opening up the opportunity for the market in the coming years.

For example, in June 2024, the Indian government launched the E-flow Monitoring Systems, which are crucial for monitoring wastewater treatment projects. The platform empowers real-time analysis of the water quality of Ganga and its tributaries. Moreover, the system tracks the performance of sewage treatment plants (STP) to ensure they operate at their rated capacity. The E-flow Monitoring System is regarded as a crucial step by the government towards ensuring the free flow of river Ganga. The system will track three important parameters, such as in-flow, out-flow, and the mandated E-flow in 11 projects under the Ganga Main Stream, by tallying its data drawn from the quarterly reports submitted by the Central Water Commission.

For instance, in October 2024, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change marks a significant step in India's efforts to overhaul its Liquid Waste Management (LWM) system. The organization has come up with a list of mandates aimed at enhancing wastewater treatment, reuse, and septage management across urban and rural areas. The rules prioritize the collection, treatment, reuse, and disposal of both wastewater and associated sludge. The notification mandates that these new rules will be enforced starting October 2025.

Tertiary Treatment is Significantly Boosting Market Growth

The demand for tertiary treatment in India has grown exponentially as this process effectively removes dissolved particles, pollutants, and pathogens from wastewater. Tertiary treatment encompasses several technologies, including reverse osmosis (RO), UV disinfection, ultrafiltration, and chlorination, further driving its market demand.

Tertiary treatment utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to separate clean water from contaminants, producing high-quality water. RO is particularly beneficial in areas facing water scarcity, as it enables using recycled water for industrial purposes, irrigation, and other applications. In addition to this advantage, RO helps reduce salinity levels, improving water quality and contributing to environmental protection. As India's water demand continues to rise, RO presents a long-term solution for better management of water resources.

For example, in May 2024, Energy Recovery Inc. signed a contract worth USD 15 million for selling its technologically advanced pressure exchanger energy recovery devices to the seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants in India. The company stated that around 6,70,000 cubic meters of safe drinking water will be produced every day for the Indian communities from these facilities.

Northern India is Leading the Market Significantly

Northern India led the market comprehensively and is expected to do so over the years. This is due to rapid urbanization and proactive government policies. Moreover, the region has the highest number of sewage treatment plants in India.

On the other hand, the largest wastewater treatment plant with the highest capacity for sewage treatment (approximately 564 million liters per day) is located in Okhla, New Delhi. It is also Asia's largest wastewater treatment plant and 4th largest in the world in terms of capacity. The Okhla Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delhi is set to significantly boost wastewater treatment capacity in north India by improving water quality. Moreover, the plant uses advanced wastewater treatment technologies such as the UV technology implemented by the Delhi Jal Board, which is expected to benefit around 40 lakh people in India. The project is developed under Yamuna Action Plan- III and is expected to foster immense growth of wastewater treatment methods in the country.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025 - FY2032)

In India, the adoption of tertiary wastewater treatment technologies such as membrane bioreactors, and reverse osmosis systems. The technologies are expected to cater to ample opportunities for market growth in the future.

The government of India is planning to invest a hefty sum of money towards the development of online monitoring systems for measuring all the parameters of sewage wastewater, which, in turn, could result in ample possibilities for market expedition over the upcoming years.

Moreover, Indian wastewater treatment organizations are focusing on introducing new wastewater treatment projects that drive the market in the coming years.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Demand for wastewater treatment in India is constantly increasing, and the key players in the market are thriving continuously to lead a competitive edge over each other. Moreover, they also collaborate in various technological expeditions for their respective wastewater treatment methods.

In April 2024, Thermax Limited., a leading company in energy and environment solutions, announced the opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pune for wastewater treatment solutions. This marked an important step for Thermax Ltd towards the achievement of India's sustainability goals. The facility will also have a remote monitoring setup based on Thermax's Edge Live digital solution. Moreover, the facility's supply chain will have nearly 1,000 vendors from Maharashtra and all over the country supporting the plant.