Saudi Arabia Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry Size & Future Forecast 2025–2033

Saudi Arabia’s dependence on water security has always been shaped by its desert climate, scarce freshwater reserves, and rapidly expanding population. Today, as urbanization, industrial development, and sustainability commitments escalate, the Saudi Arabia Water and Wastewater Treatment Market is entering a period of unprecedented transformation. According to Renub Research, the market is set to grow from US$ 4.03 billion in 2024 to US$ 7.43 billion by 2033, reflecting a 7.05% CAGR between 2025 and 2033. This strong, steady growth highlights the Kingdom’s strategic shift toward advanced water treatment infrastructure, investments in desalination, wastewater reuse, and public–private partnerships.

Below is an in-depth editorial look at the forces reshaping this pivotal industry.

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Saudi Arabia Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Overview

Water plays a fundamental role in every sector—drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and industrial processes. Wastewater, on the other hand, contains physical, chemical, and biological contaminants that must be treated before being discharged or reused. In a country like Saudi Arabia, where natural freshwater is extremely limited, water and wastewater management is not just an environmental priority—it is a national security imperative.

Saudi Arabia relies heavily on desalination, producing some of the world’s largest volumes of potable water through high-tech plants. But wastewater treatment has become equally crucial. Treated wastewater is now widely reused for agricultural irrigation, landscaping, industrial cooling, construction, and even certain urban applications. This reuse strategy is central to the Kingdom’s sustainable water management plans.

The government’s long-term vision aims for nearly 100% wastewater treatment and maximum reuse, aligning perfectly with Vision 2030 objectives. Massive infrastructure upgrades, expansion of municipal networks, technology adoption, and reforms in water governance reflect the country’s determination to conserve scarce groundwater and create an efficient, sustainable circular water economy.

Key Growth Drivers in the Saudi Arabia Water and Wastewater Treatment Market

1. Rising Water Shortage and the Push for Sustainable Solutions

Saudi Arabia faces one of the world’s highest levels of water scarcity due to its natural desert environment. As water consumption rises, the Kingdom is aggressively investing in innovative solutions to ensure long-term water security. Wastewater recycling and reuse have emerged as essential tools to meet rising demand from both households and industries.

Advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies—such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, UV disinfection, and biological treatment systems—are becoming standard across the region.

A major development came in December 2024, when the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) launched the International Water Research Center, signaling a national commitment to developing globally competitive water sustainability solutions.

2. Government Programs and Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 places sustainability and efficient resource usage at the core of national development. Water conservation and wastewater management are critical components of this plan.

Major government-led initiatives include:

Expansion of wastewater networks and treatment plants

Promotion of public-private partnerships (PPPs)

Infrastructure modernization programs led by the National Water Company (NWC)

Investment incentives for international water technology providers

On April 5, 2023, the Kingdom announced plans to invite bids for six wastewater treatment projects under the PPP model. These include five Independent Sewage Treatment Plants (ISTPs) and one Small Sewage Treatment Plant (SSTPs) with Collection Networks, aiming to increase treated wastewater capacity for non-agricultural industrial and municipal reuse.

Such initiatives encourage private sector involvement, improve efficiency, and accelerate technology deployment—making government support one of the strongest growth drivers in the market.

3. Industrial Expansion and Urbanization

Saudi Arabia’s industrial backbone—oil and gas, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and mining—requires enormous volumes of water for processing and cooling. As these industries expand, so does the need for robust wastewater treatment facilities that meet both operational and environmental standards.

Meanwhile, rapid urban population growth continues to pressure municipal water systems. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MMRA) estimates that 88% of Saudi Arabia’s population will live in urban centers by 2025. This massive demographic shift requires advanced municipal water networks, sewage systems, and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

As a result, both industrial and municipal users are investing heavily in efficient water treatment technologies, driving substantial market growth.

Market Challenges

1. High Operating Costs and Energy Requirements

Water and wastewater treatment, especially in an arid climate, is energy-intensive. Technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO) and multi-stage filtration demand significant power. High costs of plant installation, operation, and maintenance hinder adoption—especially for smaller municipalities and privately owned facilities.

Energy consumption also impacts sustainability goals and carbon footprints. Unless renewable energy becomes integrated into water operations, cost pressures may continue to slow down certain market segments.

2. Shortage of Skilled Workforce and Technical Expertise

Despite rapid infrastructure development, Saudi Arabia faces a shortage of trained professionals capable of installing, operating, and maintaining advanced treatment systems. Many projects still rely on foreign technical expertise, which increases costs and delays.

As the industry evolves toward more sophisticated technologies, local workforce development will become critical to sustaining growth and operational efficiency.

Chemical Segments in Saudi Arabia Water Treatment Market

Coagulants & Flocculants

These essential chemicals help remove suspended solids and impurities from water. With increasing municipal and industrial wastewater processing, their demand is rising sharply across the Kingdom.

Antifoam Chemicals

Used to control foam formation in wastewater treatment plants, especially in industries like oil & gas and food processing. Growing industrialization is driving higher consumption of antifoaming agents.

Disinfection Chemicals

Chlorine, ozone, and UV-based chemicals are widely used to eliminate pathogens. Urbanization and stricter drinking water standards continue to propel this segment forward.

Saudi Arabia Water Treatment Equipment Market

Membrane Separation Technologies

Reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and ultrafiltration (UF) are becoming indispensable for:

Desalination

Industrial wastewater reuse

Advanced municipal treatment

Technological innovation and falling membrane costs are accelerating adoption.

Biological Treatment Systems

Activated sludge, MBR (Membrane Bioreactor), and biofiltration systems play key roles in municipal and industrial wastewater purification.

Disinfection Equipment

UV reactors, ozone generators, and advanced chlorination systems are rapidly expanding in both municipal and industrial sectors.

Sludge Treatment Solutions

Dewatering, digestion, and drying technologies are increasingly essential for waste minimization and resource recovery.

Application Segments

Municipal Water & Wastewater Treatment

Urban expansion and modernization are fueling significant investments in new treatment plants and upgrades of existing facilities. Vision 2030’s sustainability goals ensure continued support for municipal-level infrastructure growth.

Industrial Water & Wastewater Treatment

Industries are adopting advanced solutions like:

Zero liquid discharge (ZLD)

Membrane bioreactors (MBR)

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)

Environmental regulations and corporate sustainability commitments are major market drivers.

Top Regional Markets in Saudi Arabia

1. Dhahran

A major hub for oil and gas operations, Dhahran has strong demand for industrial wastewater treatment solutions. Public-private initiatives led by Aramco support advanced technology adoption.

2. Dammam

As a major industrial and urban center, Dammam faces high pressure to treat both municipal and industrial wastewater. Expansion of industrial parks is a key growth catalyst.

3. Riyadh

The capital city is the largest consumer of water and one of the fastest-growing wastewater treatment markets. Smart-city initiatives introduce digitized water networks, advanced monitoring, and high-efficiency treatment technologies.

Khobar & Jeddah

Both cities are expanding infrastructure to address rising population densities and industrialization along the Gulf and Red Sea corridors.

Recent Industry Trends and Developments

February 2024: VA TECH WABAG secured a $33.5 million contract for an advanced industrial wastewater treatment plant at Ras Tanura Refinery.

February 2024: Nama Chemicals announced a $19 million wastewater treatment project for Jubail Chemicals.

February 2024: National Water Company launched $959 million worth of water and sanitation projects across Riyadh, Madinah, and the Eastern Province.

January 2022: Saudi Arabia commissioned the Shuqaiq 3 Desalination Plant, producing 450,000 m³/day using energy-efficient RO.

December 2021: Veolia won a seven-year contract to operate Riyadh’s water and wastewater networks, covering 40,000 km and nearly 9 million residents.

Market Segmentation Snapshot

By Chemicals

pH Conditioners

Coagulants & Flocculants

Disinfectants & Biocides

Scale & Corrosion Inhibitors

Antifoam Chemicals

Others

By Equipment

Membrane Separation

Biological Systems

Disinfection Systems

Sludge Treatment

Others

By Application

Municipal

Industrial

Top States

Dhahran

Riyadh

Khobar

Jeddah

Dammam

Others

Key Companies Covered

Each includes: Overview, Key Person, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, Revenue Analysis

Ecolab Inc.

Veolia Group

3M Company

Pentair plc

The Dow Chemical Company

Aquatech International Corporation

Calgon Carbon Corporation

Xylem Inc.

DuPont

Parkson Corporation

Final Thoughts

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major evolution in the water and wastewater treatment sector. As the Kingdom pushes forward with Vision 2030, sustainability, water security, and technological advancement have become top priorities. From mega desalination plants to smart wastewater recycling networks, the country is redefining how arid nations can achieve long-term resource independence.

With strong government support, rapid industrial expansion, and rising environmental awareness, the Saudi Arabia Water and Wastewater Treatment Market is not only growing—it is becoming a global model for innovation in water management. The coming decade will witness deeper private sector involvement, smarter digital water technologies, and near-total wastewater reuse, making this one of the most dynamic sectors in the region.