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Your source of truth for the global water sector.

WaterData is the water sector’s most comprehensive market intelligence platform, built by Global Water Intelligence.

Use our forecasts, data, and analysis to see where the market is growing and where your business should focus.

Our 35 in-house analysts build forecasts, research markets and bring together fragmented evidence, testing their findings through GWI’s industry network. You get a clearer understanding of your market, with the evidence to support your recommendations and decisions.

How we can support your business

Benchmark tariffs, spending and infrastructure against peer utilities at home and abroad.

6,500+
utility profiles to benchmark against
1,000+
cities in the tariff survey, 179 countries
60,000+
treatment plants
2026–2031
utility capex & opex forecasts
Your demo would focus on
  • Utility profiles
  • Tariff survey
  • Regulations
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Strategy & regulation

“How do our tariffs compare with other cities, at home and abroad?”

1,000+ city tariff survey (179 countries), with tariff history going back to 2011

Capital planning

“Which treatment technologies are other plants using, and how is that market changing?”

60,000+ plants with technology breakdown, plus technology forecasts and analysis, including PFAS

Procurement

“Which suppliers are active in the technologies we buy?”

12,000+ company profiles, filterable by 200+ technology activity categories

Book a demo

Size markets, test the investment case and map the buyers, with data built for the water sector.

8,000+
verified M&A deals, back to 2000
3,000+
PSP projects
12,000+
company profiles with financials
2026–2031
market-sizing forecasts
Your demo would focus on
  • M&A
  • PSP projects
  • Company profiles
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Deal team

“Which companies are active in our target segment, and who has been buying them?”

12,000+ company profiles with financial data, plus 8,000+ verified M&A deals

Investment

“How big is this segment, and how fast will it grow?”

2026–2031 forecasts by region, sector, application and technology

Infrastructure

“How do tariffs compare, and how is private participation structured in this country?”

1,000+ city tariff survey (179 countries), country profiles on sector structure, funding and procurement, and 3,000+ PSP projects

Book a demo

Know where capex is heading and how each market procures, before you commit to a bid.

2026–2031
capex forecasts by region & technology
3,000+
PSP projects
60,000+
treatment plants
35
detailed procurement & country profiles
Your demo would focus on
  • Country profiles
  • PSP projects
  • Treatment plants
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Business development

“Which markets will spend most on water infrastructure over the next five years?”

Utility and industrial capex forecasts to 2031, by country and application

Market entry

“How is procurement structured in a new market, and which delivery models are used?”

Sector structure and procurement analysis for 35+ markets, and 3,000+ PSP projects

Competitive intelligence

“Which contractors and developers are active in this market?”

Company profiles including PSP contract involvement, plus rankings of the top private operators and developers

“The breadth and depth of data and intelligence that GWI WaterData offers compared to other products in the market was the deciding factor.” Werner Redtenbacher, ILF Consulting

Book a demo

Benchmark plant configurations and check the discharge rules for any market you’re designing in.

60,000+
plants for design benchmarking
40+
countries with regulations data
27
technology subcategories
35+
sector structure overviews
Your demo would focus on
  • Country profiles
  • Technologies
  • Regulations
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Business development

“Where is capex heading by country and application?”

Utility and industrial capex forecasts to 2031

Process & design

“Which technologies are installed at comparable plants?”

60,000+ treatment plants with technology breakdown

Advisory

“What discharge and water quality standards apply in this country?”

Water quality, wastewater and sludge discharge regulations in 40+ countries

“The breadth and depth of data and intelligence that GWI WaterData offers compared to other products in the market was the deciding factor.” Werner Redtenbacher, ILF Consulting

Book a demo

Size your addressable market product by product, then see where your technology fits and who you’re up against.

86
technology product type forecasts
7,000+
patent applications, updated weekly
12,000+
company profiles
60,000+
plants with equipment data
Your demo would focus on
  • Technologies
  • Company profiles
  • Patent tracker
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Strategy

“How big is our addressable market by product type and region?”

86 technology product type forecasts, broken down by region

Product & R&D

“Which emerging technologies are gaining ground, and who is patenting in our space?”

Established and emerging technology lists, plus a 7,000+ patent tracker updated weekly

Sales

“Where are the plants and utilities using our type of technology?”

60,000+ plants with technology breakdown and 6,500+ utility profiles

“A good overview on the market structure, dynamics, opportunities, technologies, projects and major players in each sector.” Sook Yen, Sibelco

Book a demo

Size demand by chemistry, application and end market, then go after the accounts.

2026–2031
chemicals forecasts by application
300+
industrial end-user profiles
15+
industries covered
100+
country profiles
Your demo would focus on
  • Chemicals
  • Forecasts
  • Industry profiles
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Strategy

“How is demand for treatment chemicals growing, by application and region?”

Water treatment chemicals forecasts by application

Marketing & product

“How much do utilities and each industry spend on treatment chemicals?”

Utility and industrial opex forecasts, plus chemicals coverage in each industry section

Corporate development

“Who is consolidating the water chemicals market?”

8,000+ verified M&A deals and company profiles of the key players

“I have not seen anything comparable to GWI in the water space and would highly recommend it.” Andrew Ledlie, Solenis

Book a demo

Benchmark your water footprint against your industry, and find the technology to shrink it.

300+
industrial end-user profiles
10,000+
US & EU industrial facilities
40+
countries with discharge regulations
86
technology forecasts
Your demo would focus on
  • Your industry section
  • Technologies
  • Regulations
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Sustainability

“How do our water withdrawal, consumption and discharge compare with industry peers?”

300+ industrial end-user profiles with water withdrawal, consumption, discharge and recycling data

Operations & engineering

“Which treatment technologies suit our processes, and who supplies them?”

Process water and wastewater analysis for your industry, technology coverage and supplier profiles

Environmental compliance

“What discharge rules apply where we operate?”

Wastewater and sludge discharge regulations in 40+ countries

Book a demo

Benchmark your water sector against other countries, and see how they structure procurement and private participation.

35
detailed country profiles
1,000+
cities in the tariff survey, 179 countries
6,500+
utility profiles
2026–2031
utility capex & opex forecasts
Your demo would focus on
  • Country profiles
  • Tariff survey
  • Utility profiles
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Policy & regulation

“How do our tariffs and sector structure compare with peer countries?”

1,000+ city tariff survey (179 countries) and country profiles on sector structure and regulation

Infrastructure planning

“How much is being invested in water and wastewater, and where is spending heading?”

Utility capex and opex forecasts to 2031, by country

PPP & procurement

“Which procurement models have other countries used to attract private finance?”

Funding and procurement analysis in each country profile, plus 3,000+ PSP projects

Book a demo

Client-ready water market numbers, with a methodology you can defend in the steering committee.

127
technology & digital forecasts
8,000+
M&A deals
12,000+
company profiles
100+
country profiles
Your demo would focus on
  • Forecasts
  • Company profiles
  • M&A
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Case teams

“What is the market size and growth for this segment, and who are the players?”

Forecasts by region, sector, application and technology, plus 12,000+ company profiles

Partners & business development

“What is moving in water that we should take to clients?”

New analysis added almost daily, key themes coverage and quarterly webinars

Research & knowledge

“Can we put the numbers straight into our model?”

Excel export, a transparent forecast methodology, and Project Access priced per project

“We have found GWI always on point and prompt in their reply.” Giulia Tomaselli, The European House-Ambrosetti

Book a demo

See which treatment and digital technologies are growing, where, and which vendors are active in each.

27
technology subcategories
200+
technology activity categories
60,000+
plants with technology breakdown
7,000+
patents tracked
Your demo would focus on
  • Technologies
  • Company profiles
  • Patent tracker
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Solutions

“Which treatment and digital technologies are utilities and industry investing in?”

86 technology and 41 digital product type forecasts

Business development

“Where are the plants, and what technology do they run?”

60,000+ treatment plants with technology breakdown

Partnerships

“Which vendors are active in each technology, and who is acquiring whom?”

Company profiles across 200+ technology activity categories, plus 8,000+ M&A deals

“A good overview on the market structure, dynamics, opportunities, technologies, projects and major players in each sector.” Sook Yen, Sibelco

Book a demo

Size the market for meters, sensors, SCADA and analytics, product by product, and see which utilities and industries are investing.

41
digital product type forecasts
8
digital technology types
6,500+
utility profiles to target
60,000+
treatment plants with technology data
Your demo would focus on
  • Digital forecast
  • Utility profiles
  • Company profiles
Your forecasts
How your teams use it

Strategy & product

“Which digital products are growing fastest?”

Digital forecast covering 41 product types

Sales

“Which utilities operate in each of our target markets?”

6,500+ water and wastewater utility profiles

Corporate development

“Who is competing, partnering and being acquired in digital water?”

Company profiles plus 8,000+ verified M&A deals

“I have not seen anything comparable to GWI in the water space and would highly recommend it.” Andrew Ledlie, Solenis

Book a demo

Trusted by leading organisations active in the water space

  • SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
  • BCG
  • VEOLIA
  • SIEMENS
  • XYLEM
  • SUEZ
  • GRUNDFOS
  • ABB
  • HACH
  • KEMIRA
  • SOLENIS
  • AQUALIA
  • SAUR
  • YOKOGAWA
  • GEORG FISCHER
  • ILF CONSULTING ENGINEERS

Why it matters

Water market data is hard to find and harder to verify.

Understanding how much is being spent, where demand is growing and what that means for your business takes substantial research across countries, industries and technologies. WaterData brings that evidence together, helping your team spend less time assembling it and more time deciding where to focus.

Comprehensive market data

Our forecasts are built on utility and government spending plans, country-level indicators and GWI’s tracking of 72,000+ projects across Europe and North America.

Verified by experts

Our analysts check each figure with the people who set the budgets, run the procurement and build the plants.

Continuously updated

New research is added throughout the year: M&A daily, patents weekly and forecasts quarterly, so your assumptions keep pace with the market.

One consistent model

Every data point uses the same definitions, so comparisons hold across countries, sectors and technologies. That consistency, and decades of historical data, is something an AI search of the open web cannot reproduce.

The platform

Your single source for water sector data & analysis.

Sizing today’s water market is the hardest part of sector analysis. WaterData starts there, with today’s market size and forecasts to 2031, so your growth strategy rests on solid numbers.

Size your market - Market Metrics

See how big your market is, where it’s growing and what’s driving it.

Map the competition - Market Dynamics

See who’s competing, who’s buying whom and which technologies are gaining ground.

Find your next opportunity - Market Access

Identify customers and partners, the infrastructure they run, and how procurement and regulation work in each market.

How to use it

Start with the forecasts to find the fastest-growing markets, then explore the companies, customers and procurement routes behind them.

What we track

  • Utility Profiles

    Water & wastewater utilities across the globe

    6,500+
  • Treatment Plants

    Water & wastewater, with technology breakdown

    60,000+
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

    Independently verified, updated daily

    8,000+
  • PSP Projects

    Private sector participation

    3,000+
  • Company Profiles

    Incl. financials, structure and technology activities

    12,000+
  • Country Market Profiles

    35 detailed · 60+ snapshot

    100+
  • Tariff Survey

    179 countries · history back to 2011

    1,000+ cities
  • Patent Tracker

    Filterable, updated weekly

    7,000+
  • Industrial End Users

    Oil & gas, mining, microelectronics, data centres and more

    300+
  • Industrial Facilities

    United States & European Union

    10,000+
  • Regulations

    Water quality, wastewater & sludge discharge

    40+ countries

Case study

How WaterData helped ILF cut-down research time, boost their efficiency, and free up their resources

40+countries assessed for ILF’s group strategy

Read the case study

The challenge

With a lean global team, ILF needed up-to-date, data-driven insight to set strategy and advise clients, without stretching its people.

The impact

WaterData streamlined ILF’s market analysis and project selection. The team uses it to rate more than 40 countries for market attractiveness in priority areas such as desalination and wastewater treatment, and to stay on top of technology and regulatory developments. The result: less time on research and a more selective, focused approach to the projects ILF takes on.

“WaterData helps us to ‘shrink’ global markets and distil the essential information to support ILF in deciding where to invest ourselves.”Werner Redtenbacher, Group Director for Water & Environment, ILF Consulting
Read the full case study →

Case study

How WaterData helped The European House Ambrosetti overcome data gaps and deliver more powerful strategies

37countries where WaterData filled gaps in public data

Read the case study

The challenge

TEHA’s strategic studies of the water sector were held back by a lack of reliable, granular data for many countries. On one Mediterranean project, data was missing or incomplete for 37 of the 45 countries in scope.

The impact

WaterData filled those gaps, from the revenues of the main water-sector players to the spread of individual technologies country by country, while its forecasts enriched TEHA’s scenario analysis. It has also helped TEHA win water and desalination work, including a project for Saudi Arabia’s SWA.

“We chose GWI WaterData because it provides high-quality data for a wide range of water-related measures on a global basis.”Giulia Tomaselli, Scenarios & Intelligence, The European House – Ambrosetti
Read the full case study →

Case study

How WaterData cut labour requirements by 30% for a leading strategic consultancy

~30%lower labour requirements on water projects

Read the case study

The challenge

The firm needed one reliable view of a market that is fragmented and varies by country, segment and technology, with credible market sizes its clients could act on.

The impact

Starting every water project from WaterData means faster, more cost-effective deliverables and sharper pricing, because much of the groundwork is already done. The Forecast Hub and the country and technology overviews are the team’s first stop on new projects and for bringing newer consultants up to speed.

“It gives us a significant head start, lowering our labour requirements by approximately 30%.”Associate Principal, a leading global strategic consultancy
Read the full case study →

What’s inside

See what’s inside WaterData before you talk to anyone.

  • How 2026–2031 forecasts are built, by region, sector and application
  • Every database at a glance: plants, utilities, companies, M&A, tariffs, patents
  • How utilities, investors, OEMs and EPCs use the platform day to day

Instant download. We’ll never share your details.

See WaterData on your own market. A 20-minute walkthrough, or a free data extract to judge for yourself.

Country coverage

100+ countries. Every major water market.

Market profiles for every major water market, across all regions.

What each country profile includes

Forecasts

Detailed utility and industrial capex & opex forecasts broken down by application, product type, industry type, and more.

Tariffs

Tariff data showing how water pricing has changed since 2011.

Infrastructure

Existing infrastructure, including major utilities and treatment plants across each country.

Funding & procurement

Current funding and procurement trends, including the latest privately financed projects, water sector funding organisations, and procurement models used.

Key players

The key domestic and international players active within each country, including developers, operators and engineers.

  • East Asia / Pacific 16
  • Latin America 17
  • North America 2
  • Southern Asia 4
  • Europe 33
  • Middle East 12
  • Africa 18
World map highlighting the 102 countries covered by GWI WaterData

East Asia / Pacific · 16 countries

  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • China (Mainland)
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Malaysia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Uzbekistan

Latin America · 17 countries

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Mexico
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay

North America · 2 countries

  • Canada
  • United States

Southern Asia · 4 countries

  • Bangladesh
  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka

Europe · 33 countries

  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Middle East · 12 countries

  • Bahrain
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates

Africa · 18 countries

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Cameroon
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda

Industrial coverage

In-depth market analysis across 12 industries.

For each market our coverage includes the top opportunities identified by our analysts, granular capex & opex forecasts, market drivers & restraints, water & wastewater consumption metrics, key players, and routes to market.

Industries covered in detail

Food & beverage

Segments covered

  • Agricultural processing
  • Aquaculture & seafood
  • Brewing
  • Dairy
  • Meat & poultry
  • Produce & general food
  • Soft drinks
  • Wine & spirits

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts across eight subsectors, plus digital and water treatment chemicals forecasts
  • Water for food & beverage: process water and wastewater
  • Top opportunities and technology trends
  • Key suppliers, engineers and end users, plus routes to market
Book a demo

Consumer products

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts for the sector
  • Water for consumer products: water metrics, process water and wastewater
  • Top opportunities, industry trends and key geographies
  • Drivers & restraints shaping water investment
  • Key suppliers and end users, plus routes to market
Book a demo

Microelectronics

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts, plus digital and water treatment chemicals forecasts
  • Ultrapure water and wastewater analysis
  • Key geographies: China, Taiwan and the United States
  • Top market opportunities and market dynamics
  • Market players and routes to market
Book a demo

Pharmaceuticals

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts, plus digital and water treatment chemicals forecasts
  • Pharmaceutical grade water and wastewater
  • Procurement in the sector
  • Top opportunities and drivers & restraints
  • Key suppliers and end users
Book a demo

Pulp & paper

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts for the sector
  • Water treatment needs and top opportunities
  • Drivers & restraints shaping water investment
  • Water treatment chemicals: opportunities and trends
  • Key suppliers and end users
Book a demo

Mining

What we cover

  • Capex forecasts by region, plus digital and water treatment chemicals forecasts
  • Water for mining: lithium, desalination, wastewater, acid mine drainage and tailings management
  • Mine post-closure and remediation
  • Industry dynamics, commodities and drivers & restraints
  • Key suppliers, engineers and end users, plus routes to market
Book a demo

Upstream oil & gas

Segments covered

  • Conventional onshore
  • Offshore
  • Tight oil / shale gas
  • Coalbed methane
  • Heavy oil (steam EOR)

What we cover

  • Capex forecasts by application, resource type, technology and region, with top markets
  • Produced water volumes, production statistics and oil & gas price impacts
  • Key technology providers, E&P companies and end users
  • Top opportunities and drivers & restraints
  • Water treatment chemicals and digital forecasts
Book a demo

Refining & petrochemicals

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts by region, application and technology, with top markets
  • Top market opportunities, from tightening wastewater regulation to new treatment needs
  • Drivers & restraints shaping water investment
  • Water treatment chemicals: opportunities, market dynamics and forecasts
Book a demo

Power

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts, updated for the extra generation capacity needed to power data centres
  • Water for power generation and the treatment technologies it uses
  • Top opportunities, industry trends and drivers & restraints
  • Key suppliers, contractors and end users, plus routes to market
  • Water treatment chemicals and digital forecasts
Book a demo

Industrial services

What we cover

  • Mobile water treatment: market forecast and top opportunities
  • Market players and market developments, such as fleet acquisitions
  • Regional markets analysis
Book a demo

Green hydrogen

What we cover

  • Water demand outlook and key geographies
  • Top 10 projects to watch
  • Water for hydrogen: water needs, electrolysers, hydrogen generation and co-located projects
  • Drivers & restraints and procurement
Book a demo

Data centres

What we cover

  • Capex & opex forecasts by data centre type, region and application
  • Water use metrics across the sector
  • Development and operating models
  • Utility dynamics and utility projects serving data centres
  • Market players and end users, plus water treatment chemicals
Book a demo
12
industries covered in detail
2026–2031
industrial capex & opex forecasts
300+
industrial end-user profiles

Technology coverage

Explore comprehensive technology market coverage.

Six technology areas, broken down into individual technologies, each with its own forecasts, drivers and key players. See where demand is growing, who is supplying it and which emerging technologies are gaining ground.

Physical/chemical treatment

Technologies covered

  • Activated carbon
  • Flotation
  • Headworks & screens
  • Non-membrane filtration
  • Oil-water separation
  • MF/UF
  • Other physical/chemical

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts by region, application, sector and industry
  • Technology lists of established and emerging technologies
  • Market focus on emerging areas such as ceramic membranes
  • Top market opportunities and trends from our analysts

Then drill into each technology, e.g. Activated carbon

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies

Dissolved solids removal

Technologies covered

  • RO/NF
  • Ion exchange
  • Thermal desalination
  • Electrochemical separation
  • Brine concentration

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts by region, application, sector and industry
  • Technology lists of established and emerging technologies
  • Top market opportunities and trends from our analysts

Then drill into each technology, e.g. RO/NF

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies

Biological treatment

Technologies covered

  • Aeration
  • Aerobic systems
  • Anaerobic systems

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts by sector, industry, application and region
  • Technology lists of established and emerging technologies
  • Market focus on MABR, aerobic granular sludge, sidestream treatment, algae wastewater treatment and microbial fuel cells
  • Top market opportunities from our analysts

Then drill into each technology, e.g. Aeration

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies

Disinfection/oxidation

Technologies covered

  • Advanced oxidation
  • Chlorine systems
  • Ozone
  • UV
  • Onsite biocide generation

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts by region, application, sector and industry
  • Technology lists of established and emerging technologies
  • Market dynamics: drivers, growth strategies and key players
  • Top market opportunities and trends from our analysts

Then drill into each technology, e.g. Advanced oxidation

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies

Sludge management

Technologies covered

  • Digestion & stabilisation
  • Sludge drying
  • Thickening & dewatering

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts by region, sector and industry
  • Global trends across the sludge market
  • Technology list from pretreatment and thickening to thermal reduction and nutrient recovery
  • Market focus on resource recovery and thermochemical sludge treatment

Then drill into each technology, e.g. Digestion & stabilisation

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies

Fluid handling equipment

Technologies covered

  • Pipes
  • Pumps
  • Valves
  • Drives

For the area as a whole

  • Forecasts for the whole fluid handling market
  • Technology lists for each equipment type
  • Top market opportunities from our analysts

Then drill into each technology, e.g. Pipes

Market metricsOverview · forecasts · applications
Market dynamicsDrivers · key players · growth strategies
6 / 27
technology areas / subcategories
86
technology product type forecasts
7,000+
patent applications, updated weekly
1,000+
technology company profiles

Key themes

Dedicated technology coverage for the issues driving investment, plus analysis of growth capital flowing into water.

  • PFAS
  • Micropollutants
  • Microplastics
  • Circular economy
  • Nutrient removal
  • Carbon diversion

Competitive intelligence

Get ahead of your competitors.

Profiles of the companies active across the water sector, linked to our verified M&A database. Benchmark rivals, vet partners and see who is buying whom.

12,000+
company profiles
1,000+
technology company profiles
200+
technology activity categories to filter by
8,000+
verified M&A deals, updated daily, linked to the companies involved

In each company profile

  • Business activities
  • Financial data
  • M&A activity
  • Technology activities
  • PSP contract involvement

Indicative rankings from the companies database

  1. #1
  2. #2
  3. #3
  4. #4
  5. #5

Top 50 private water operators: full ranking for subscribers Book a demo

  1. #1
  2. #2
  3. #3
  4. #4
  5. #5

Top 20 global project developers: full ranking for subscribers Book a demo

  1. #1
  2. #2
  3. #3
  4. #4
  5. #5

Top 20 Chinese project developers: full ranking for subscribers Book a demo

Forecast coverage

See exactly what’s behind every number.

Every WaterData forecast starts from total water-related spending in each country, then breaks it down by application, technology and equipment.

2026–2031
forecast horizon
86
technology product type forecasts
41
digital product type forecasts
6 / 27
technology areas / subcategories

Utility water and wastewater capex & opex, by country and application.

Baseline → Projections → Breakdown by application → Products & services

What’s covered

Applications 9

  • Water resources
  • Water networks
  • Process / drinking water treatment
  • Seawater & brackish desalination
  • Wastewater networks
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Customer services (opex)
  • Mining water supply infrastructure
  • Mine dewatering

How it’s derived

  1. Baseline: historical utility water and wastewater spending, from national statistics, regulators and government budgets first, then utility-level data, then secondary sources.
  2. Capex projections: published government and utility plans, country experts, GWI’s Project Tracker and IMF World Economic Outlook forecasts.
  3. Opex projections: population served × per capita cost, with coverage growing in line with urbanisation.
  4. Breakdown: reported spending splits and comparable countries for capex; unit operating costs × utility service indicators for opex.

Data sources

  • National statistics offices
  • Utility regulators
  • Government budgets
  • Utility-level data
  • Project Tracker
  • IMF World Economic Outlook
  • FAO Aquastat

Water-related capex & opex for each industrial sector, by country and application.

Industrial output → Water use → Typical treatment trains → Treatment costs → Water-related spending

What’s covered

Sectors 10

  • Upstream oil & gas
  • Refining & petrochemicals
  • Power generation
  • Mining
  • Food & beverage
  • Pulp & paper
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Microelectronics
  • Data centres
  • Chemicals manufacturing

Applications 7

  • Process / drinking water
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Seawater & brackish desalination
  • Ultrapure water
  • Produced water
  • Water for injection
  • Purified water

How it’s derived

  1. Capex: industrial output data, water use statistics, typical treatment trains and treatment technology costs, combined using the best available dataset for each sector.
  2. Sector factors: the share of industry investment spent on water and wastewater systems, set through research and interviews with market players and end users.
  3. Opex: a top-down estimate from industrial water withdrawals and treatment costs, combined with bottom-up country estimates from industrial output.
  4. Scope: excludes general civil engineering and construction at industrial sites.

Data sources

  • U.S. EIA
  • IEA
  • Oil & Gas Journal surveys
  • Platts UDI WEPP
  • SNL Mining & Metals
  • FAO
  • IMS Health
  • SEMI World Fab Forecast
  • S&P Global / 451 Research
  • CEFIC
  • American Chemistry Council

Desalination capacity and the capex & opex it generates.

Inventory baseline → Project Tracker → Anticipated projects → Capacity → Spending

What’s covered

Capacity measures 3

  • Contracted capacity
  • Installed capacity
  • Operating (online) capacity

How it’s derived

  1. Capacity: the GWI/IDA Worldwide Desalting Inventory (plants over 500 m³/d) as the baseline, the Project Tracker for future projects, and an Anticipated Projects model to fill gaps.
  2. Capex: from contracted capacity, using cost-to-capacity functions for each desalination technology, derived from known project costs.
  3. Opex: from online capacity, adjusted for plant retirements and under-utilisation, converted to US dollars with a unit factor.

Data sources

  • GWI/IDA Worldwide Desalting Inventory
  • Project Tracker
  • Anticipated Projects model
  • DesalData

Every dollar of utility and industrial spending, split into what it buys.

Utility & industrial spending → 9 product & service categories

What’s covered

Categories 9

  • Labour
  • Energy
  • Equipment
  • Chemicals
  • Services
  • Other project costs
  • Oil & gas water services
  • Utility services
  • Other

Services 3

  • BOO / BOT
  • O&M / DBO
  • Mobile services

Other project costs 4

  • Design & engineering
  • Civil engineering / fabrication
  • Regulatory & professional
  • General construction

How it’s derived

  1. Split: capex and opex for each sector divided into nine categories, some of which apply only to certain segments.
  2. Services: sized from the share of the operations market penetrated by outsourcing and mobile services, and the share of capex under BOT contracts.
  3. Oil & gas water services: (US and Canada): produced water volumes and fracking water demand × typical unit cost of each service.

Data sources

  • Utility & industrial forecasts
  • Market penetration assumptions
  • Contract data

6 technology areas, 27 technology types and product types beneath them, capex and parts & services.

Application → Technology area → Technology type → Product type

What’s covered

Physical / chemical treatment 9

  • Activated carbon media
  • Activated carbon systems
  • Flotation
  • Non-membrane filtration
  • MF/UF membranes
  • MF/UF systems
  • Oil-water separation
  • Screens / intakes
  • Settling clarifiers

Biological treatment 3

  • Aeration
  • Aerobic biological systems
  • Anaerobic biological systems

Disinfection 1

  • Disinfection

Dissolved solids removal 7

  • Thermal desalination systems
  • Electrochemical separation
  • Evaporators & crystallisers
  • Ion exchange resins
  • Ion exchange systems
  • RO/NF membranes
  • RO/NF systems

Sludge management 4

  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Sludge drying
  • Sludge stabilisation
  • Sludge thickening / dewatering

Fluid handling 3

  • Pipes
  • Pumps
  • Valves

How it’s derived

  1. Top-down: utility and industrial capex divided application → technology area → technology type → product type, using factors that vary by region, industry, application and time.
  2. Bottom-up: interviews with market stakeholders and surveys of major suppliers and installation references, used to adjust the top-down model.
  3. Parts & services: replacement parts and aftermarket services, applied as a share of each product type’s market.
  4. No double counting: components already counted inside systems, such as MBR membranes, are excluded from the totals.

Data sources

  • Utility & industrial capex forecasts
  • Stakeholder interviews
  • Supplier surveys
  • Installation references
  • Project budgets

Water treatment chemicals and associated services (opex), by application and chemical type.

Volume used → Chemical type → Unit cost → Market size

What’s covered

Applications 6

  • Boiler treatment
  • Cooling system treatment
  • Drinking / process water
  • Desalination
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Sludge management

Chemical types 7

  • Coagulants
  • Flocculants
  • Biocides
  • pH control
  • Corrosion inhibitors
  • Scale inhibitors
  • Other chemicals

How it’s derived

  1. Sizing: volume of chemicals used in each application × type of chemical × typical unit cost.
  2. Cross-check: against the overall operating expenditure forecast and the typical share spent on chemical purchases.
  3. Growth: generally follows industrial growth, adjusted for factors such as regional wastewater regulations.
  4. Included: digital systems leased as part of a contract, and leased on-site biocide generation.

Data sources

  • Operating expenditure forecast
  • Expert consultation
  • Industry growth forecasts

Monitoring, control and software spending across utility and industrial water.

Total water spending → Digital share by sector → Product type → Application

What’s covered

Product types 11

  • Customer meters (conventional, AMR/AMI)
  • Meter data management & billing
  • Visual in-pipe inspection
  • Smart spheres
  • Physical parameter sensors
  • Water quality sensors
  • Laboratory equipment & services
  • Control & SCADA
  • Data management / analysis
  • Hydraulic modelling
  • GIS & mapping

Applications 5

  • Customer services
  • Water treatment
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Networks
  • Industrial processes

How it’s derived

  1. Starting point: total water-related spending in each sector, from the global water market forecast.
  2. Digital share: the percentage of that spending going to digital solutions, from expert interviews, project data, external sources and component unit costs.
  3. By application: which parameters are measured in each process and their typical unit cost, cross-checked with experts.

Data sources

  • Global water market forecast
  • Expert interviews
  • Project data
  • Unit cost estimates

Investment needs, where the money comes from, and private sector investment.

Investment needs → Sources of finance → Private investment

What’s covered

Sources of finance 6

  • Customer receipts / commercial debt
  • Government grants
  • Government loans
  • ODA grants
  • ODA loans
  • Private finance

Private sector investment 4

  • Investor-owned utilities
  • Part-privatised utilities
  • Utility concessions
  • Asset procurement (BOT, BOO, IWPP)

How it’s derived

  1. Investment needs: the unserved population × annualised per capita cost of 24/7 piped water and sewerage with at least secondary treatment.
  2. Sources of finance: utility cash flow statements, OECD aid-flow data and EIB lending data.
  3. Private investment: population served by private utilities and concessions, plus capacity procured under BOT, BOO and IWPP contracts × unit cost.

Data sources

  • Utility cash flow statements
  • OECD aid flows
  • EIB lending
  • World Bank SDG cost estimates
  • PSP contract database
  • Project Tracker

Free data sample

Get a free sample of WaterData for your market.

Pick a country and a dataset. We’ll send you a real extract from WaterData, so you can judge the depth for yourself before you talk to anyone.

One free sample per company, checked against your work email domain.

For investors, lenders & advisers

Make the investment case for water, backed by data you can trust.

Water is fragmented, local and heavily regulated, which makes it hard to size and harder to benchmark. Private equity and infrastructure funds, asset managers, banks, DFIs and the advisers who support them use WaterData to map the investable universe, size addressable markets, track precedent transactions and build the market section of a commercial due diligence (CDD), with numbers they can cite.

Across the deal cycle

  1. Build the investment universe

    Screen 12,000+ company profiles by business activity, technology and geography, with financial data, water revenue estimates and M&A history, plus rankings of the leading private operators and project developers.

  2. Size the opportunity

    2026–2031 capex & opex forecasts by region, country, sector, application and technology, built on a transparent methodology, so your market and growth assumptions hold up to scrutiny.

  3. Test the market and the target

    Benchmark the target against its competitors, then check tariffs across 1,000+ cities in 179 countries, sector structure and regulation, and the funding and procurement models used in 35+ markets, backed by 3,000+ PSP projects.

  4. Track the portfolio’s markets

    Forecasts refreshed quarterly, new analysis added almost daily, M&A updated daily and patents weekly, so you see consolidation, competitor moves and technology shifts as they happen.

  5. Map the buyer universe

    8,000+ verified water M&A deals going back to 2000: see who is acquiring, in which segments and where, to identify the strategic and financial buyers for your asset.

Pressure-test your investment case

Put a specific question to GWI’s 35 in-house water specialists before IC and get a detailed written answer within 48 hours.

Put citeable numbers in your model

Export forecasts and datasets to Excel straight into your model, with a transparent methodology you can reference in IMs, CDD reports and IC papers.

Get access for a single mandate

Project Access gives consultancies and deal advisers access for the length of an engagement, negotiated per project.

Add project-level deal flow

Pair WaterData with GWI’s Water Investment Navigator for water project pipelines, competitive intelligence and deal flow.

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More than just data

Ask our analysts.

GWI WaterData is supported by a team of 35 analysts who are on call to answer your questions directly via the platform. You get the depth of an in-house research team, without the headcount.

Kai, your 24/7 AI assistant

Get help navigating WaterData and answers to questions about platform features, any time of day. For market research questions, you can contact our analysts directly.

Team training

Detailed, comprehensive training sessions for your entire team, so everyone gets value from the platform from day one.

Quarterly webinars - beyond the numbers

Topical webinars from GWI analysts and industry experts help you understand what's driving change and where your markets are heading. Included with your subscription.

Ask an analyst

A water sector expert on call.

Send any strategic question about the water market in writing and get a detailed answer from a GWI analyst, specific to your geography, technology focus, or business challenge.

For example

“Which markets are seeing the fastest growth in private sector water investment right now?”

An analyst pulls together the relevant country profiles, PSP project data and forecasts, and replies in writing within 48 hours.

35 in-house water analysts covering finance, economics, water and technology.

Ask an analyst one free question

Why WaterData

Built for water, not adapted to it.

How WaterData compares with the other ways teams research the water market.

Compared on GWI WaterData Generalist research houses Financial terminals In-house desk research
Focus Purpose-built for the whole water sector Water is one vertical among many Some water and infrastructure coverage Whatever your team has time to cover
Who checks the data 35 in-house analysts, validated through GWI's industry network Varies by report Largely aggregated Your own analysts' time
Proprietary datasets Forecasts, 60,000+ plants, tariffs, regulations, patent tracker Less depth and granularity Water is a small slice Government gazettes, tender sites, free sources
Freshness Updated continuously: M&A daily, patents weekly Periodic reports Strong on financial data As fresh as the last time someone checked
Forecast methodology Transparent: see how every forecast is built Varies by provider Not water-specific Built from scratch each time
Pricing Enterprise-style pricing with unlimited seats, tiered by organisation size Multi-sector subscriptions, priced for breadth Priced for broad financial coverage The hidden cost of analyst time
Expert access Ask an Analyst, with answers within 48 hours Varies by provider Not water specialists Only who you know

Comparison by category of provider, based on typical offerings.

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Book a 20-minute live walkthrough tailored to your key markets

Meet the team

New business

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Account managers

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Ask an analyst one free question

Not ready for a demo? Send one question in writing to a GWI water analyst. One free question per company.

One free question per company, checked against your work email domain. Subscribers get detailed answers within 48 hours.

Produced by Global Water Intelligence, the leading provider of business information for the international water sector.

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your demo.

How current is the data?

Content is updated continuously as market developments emerge, with the M&A database daily and the patent tracker weekly. Data is validated through GWI's industry network and enriched by analysts, not just scraped and aggregated.

Can I export data into my own models and presentations?

Yes. GWI WaterData includes built-in Excel downloads and a slide deck feature for building presentations directly in the platform, so your team can deliver client-ready analysis without starting from scratch.

What markets and regions are covered?

The entire global water sector: technologies, chemicals, digital, industries, utilities, tariffs, regulations, companies, M&A and treatment plants. Industrial coverage includes food & beverage, consumer products, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, mining, upstream oil & gas, refining & petrochemicals, power, industrial services, green hydrogen and data centres, plus industrial sustainability. There are 35 detailed and 60+ snapshot country profiles and 2026–2031 forecasts by region, sector and application.

How is GWI WaterData priced?

GWI WaterData uses enterprise-style pricing with unlimited seats, tiered by the size of your organisation’s water business. Consulting firms can also opt for Project Access, negotiated per project. We’ll walk you through the options on your demo.

How does it relate to DesalData, WIN and GWI Executive?

They are separate products sold independently. WaterData has the broadest scope across the whole water sector; DesalData focuses on desalination and water reuse; the Water Investment Navigator on project pipelines, competitive intelligence and deal flow; and the GWI Executive Intelligence Service (formerly Global Water Intelligence Magazine) on strategic visibility across the global water sector.

Who produces the intelligence behind the platform?

Global Water Intelligence, the leading provider of high-value business information for the international water sector for over 25 years, with a team of 35 in-house water analysts.