Biological Wastewater Treatment Market by Process (Aerobic Wastewater Treatment, Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment, and Anoxic Treatment), End User (Municipal, Industrial [Food & Beverage, Pulp & Paper]), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2032

The Biological Wastewater Treatment Market is expected to reach $16.1 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period of 2025–2032. The rapidly diminishing freshwater resources, the stringent regulations for wastewater management, and a surge in industrial water consumption and discharge are the major factors driving the growth of this market.

In addition, the growing demand for energy-efficient & advanced water treatment technologies, the rapidly growing population, urbanization, and industrialization, the depletion of potable water, and the increasing prevalence of water-borne diseases are expected to offer significant opportunities for the growth of this market.

However, the high installation, maintenance, and operating costs hinder the implementation of Biological Wastewater Treatment solutions. Furthermore, the high cost of upgrading & repairing aging water infrastructure is a major challenge to the market’s growth.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the Biological Wastewater Treatment Market

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted public health and social-economic growth globally. In wastewater, contaminants such as antibiotics, pharmaceutical wastes, nano-plastics, and pesticides cause serious health issues if left untreated using proper wastewater treatment technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic forced hospitals to implement sophisticated wastewater treatment methods to curb the spread of infection. In isolation wards and quarantine centers, biological wastewater treatment plants with multiple disinfection barriers became increasingly common throughout the pandemic. These factors positively impacted the growth of the Biological Wastewater Treatment market.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of proper & advanced wastewater treatment in hospitals to curb the spread of infection. As a result, decentralized wastewater treatment plants with multiple disinfection barriers were installed in quarantine centers and isolation wards during the pandemic. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate impact on the Biological Wastewater Treatment market.

Rapidly Diminishing Fresh Water Resources​ Expected to Drive Market’s Growth

Good water quality is important for human health, socio-economic development, and the ecosystem. As the global population rises and economies develop, the natural environments become degraded due to the excessive use of natural resources such as coal, natural gas, minerals, and water. Water resources are becoming inadequate and unsafe, driving the need for Biological Wastewater Treatment solutions.

Most of the world’s population growth in the next 40 years will be absorbed by urban areas, particularly in developing regions. Urbanization increases pressure on water sources as individuals become more concentrated in one area. Thus, there is a growing need to create awareness among industries and households about the potential of wastewater as an alternative water source.

Biological Wastewater Treatment protect the ecosystem by removing contaminants and effluents from wastewater. Biological water treatment strategies help to ease water scarcity across various industries in the residential and industrial sectors. The treated wastewater can be used to wash cars, irrigate landscapes, and for industrial processing. The treatment also aims to derive fresh drinking water from salty ocean waters or groundwater with high salt concentrations and make them suitable for human consumption. Thus, the increasing need for fresh water sources is expected to drive the demand for water and wastewater treatment technologies, driving the growth of the Biological Wastewater Treatment market.

Key Findings in the Biological Wastewater Treatment Market Study:

In 2025, the Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Segment is Expected to Dominate the Biological Wastewater Treatment Market

Based on process, the Biological Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into aerobic wastewater treatment, anaerobic wastewater treatment, and anoxic wastewater treatment. In 2025, the aerobic wastewater treatment segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Biological Wastewater Treatment market. The growth of this segment is attributed to the increasing volume of wastewater for discharge or reuse, the growing need to make advanced water clarification, aeration, and filtration processes into a simple and cost-effective process, and the integration of various efficient compact technologies, such as membrane bioreactor (MBR) for municipal and industrial applications. However, the anaerobic wastewater segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

In 2025, the Industrial Segment is Expected to Dominate the Biological Wastewater Treatment Market

Based on end user, the Biological Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into municipal and industrial. In 2025, the industrial segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market. This segment is also projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is attributed to the rising focus on improving water quality and public health, rapid industrialization & urbanization, and the stringent government regulations on industrial wastewater treatment.

In 2025, North America is Expected to Dominate the Biological Wastewater Treatment Market

Based on geography, the Biological Wastewater Treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2025, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the market. The growth of this regional market is attributed to the growing manufacturing sector, supportive government initiatives, such as Zero Liquid Discharge, to promote water reuse & recycling, the stringent regulations for the safe & appropriate use of onsite wastewater treatment systems, and the high adoption rate of wastewater treatment technologies in the region. However, the market in Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by major market players between 2020 and 2022. The key players profiled in the Biological Wastewater Treatment market report are Veolia Environment SA. (France), Suez Environment S.A. (France), Xylem, Inc. (U.S.), Aquatech International (U.S.), Ecolab, Inc. (U.S.), Pentair Plc. (U.S.), Samco Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), DAS Environment Expert GmbH (Germany), Calgon Carbon Corporation (U.S.), Evoqua Water Technologies LLC (U.S.), Condorchem Envitech, S.L. (Spain), United Utilities Group PLC (U.K.), Aqwise (U.S.), RF Wastewater (U.S.), Oxygen Solutions (U.S.), 3M Company, Inc. (U.S.), Entex Technologies (U.S.), Envirocare (U.S.), HUBER SE (Germany), and Bluewater Bio Limited (U.K.).

Scope of the Report:

Biological Wastewater Treatment Market, by Process

• Aerobic Wastewater Treatment
  • Activated Sludge
  • Fixed-Bed Bioreactor (FBBR)
  • Moving Bed Bioreactor (MBBR)
  • Membrane Bioreactor (MBR)
  • Biological Trickling Filters                                                          
• Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment
  • Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blankets (UASBs)           
  • Anaerobic Digesters
• Anoxic Wastewater Treatment

Biological Wastewater Treatment Market, by End User

• Municipal End Users
  • Residential
  • Public Utilities
• Industrial End Users
  • Food & Beverage
  • Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals
  • Pulp & Paper
  • Oil & Gas
  • Mining
  • Power Generation
  • Semiconductor
  • Other End Users (Agriculture, Transportation)

Biological Wastewater Treatment Market, by Geography

• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Indonesia
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Rest of Europe
• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Israel
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key questions answered in the report: