PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1877734
PUBLISHER: Orion Market Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1877734
Mobile Water Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type (Rental, and Lease) by Technology (Filtration, Ultrafiltration, Reverse Osmosis, Softening, Disinfection, Others (deionization, clarification, degassing, seawater desalination)) by Service Model (Emergency, Planned, and Multi-Year), By End-User (Oil and Gas, Petrochemical and Chemical, Power and Utility, Paper and Pulp, Mining, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverages, and Other (Automotive, Metal industry)) Forecast Period (2026-2035)
Industry Overview
Mobile water treatment market was valued at $2.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $6.2 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period (2026-2035). Mobile water treatment is the use of modular, portable, and containerized systems that are rapidly deployed to perform various water purification processes on-site, providing temporary or supplemental clean water solutions for emergencies, planned maintenance, or to meet increased demand where fixed plants are impractical or unavailable.
The global mobile water treatment market is witnessing rapid growth as rising water stress intensifies demand for reliable and adaptable solutions. With large populations and key economic regions facing increasing scarcity, industries and municipalities are turning to mobile systems to secure water supply during shortages, emergencies, and infrastructure gaps. The projected surge in global water demand, combined with agricultural and industrial pressures, highlights the importance of flexible treatment technologies that can be deployed quickly and scaled efficiently. As countries face the dual challenge of economic risks and water security, mobile water treatment is emerging as a critical enabler of resilience, sustainability, and uninterrupted operations.
According to the World Resources Institute, in August 2023, 25 countries housing one-quarter of the global population faced extremely high-water stress, using over 80% of their renewable supply each year.
Moreover, according to UNICEF, nearly two-thirds of the global population, about 4 billion people, face severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, while more than 2 billion live in countries with inadequate water supply. By 2025, half of the world's population could be living in water-scarce regions, and by 2030, around 700 million people may be displaced due to extreme shortages. Looking ahead to 2040, one in four children worldwide is projected to live in areas of extremely high-water stress, highlighting the urgent scale of the crisis.
Market Dynamics
Regulatory Support & Fast-Track Approvals
Supportive regulatory frameworks and government initiatives have significantly accelerated the adoption of mobile water treatment solutions globally. Many countries prioritize emergency water access projects through fast-track environmental clearances, disaster-relief funding, and public-private partnership programs. These pathways shorten deployment timelines, reduce entry barriers for providers, and encourage continued investment in mobile treatment technologies. Agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Environment Agency (EEA), and national water authorities across Asia-Pacific are offering accelerated approval mechanisms for portable desalination, wastewater recycling, and emergency purification units. For instance, in August 2023, India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) cleared fast-track deployment of mobile treatment plants in flood-affected Himachal Pradesh to restore safe drinking water access within days, highlighting the role of expedited regulatory approvals in disaster resilience.
Emergency-Ready and Portable Water Solutions Driving Market Growth
The growing emphasis on resilient and rapidly deployable water treatment technologies is shaping the mobile water treatment market. Compact and portable systems are increasingly designed to provide safe water access during emergencies, whether for drinking, sanitation, or healthcare needs. These units often integrate multiple treatment technologies into lightweight, easy-to-operate platforms, ensuring functionality in resource-constrained or disaster-affected environments. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Water-on-Wheels (WOW) Cart is a compact, portable water treatment system designed to deliver safe water during emergencies for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and medical use. About the size of a shopping cart, it combines multiple treatment technologies, runs on alternative power sources, and is simple to operate, making it suitable for rapid deployment at critical sites like hospitals before or after disasters. Developed through a CRADA partnership between the EPA and nonprofit WaterStep, the EPA provided technical expertise, sampling, and disinfection research, including best practices for granular activated carbon and UV treatment, while WaterStep managed design, engineering, and fabrication. The unit offers an affordable, resilient solution, subject to federal and state disinfection regulations.
Market Segmentation
Oil and Gas Dominate the Market with Operational Reliability Advantage
The oil and gas sector is projected to remain the largest end-user segment in the global mobile water treatment market, supported by its continuous need for reliable and high-quality water in upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Mobile water treatment units provide on-site, rapid-deployment solutions that ensure uninterrupted supply for processes such as drilling, enhanced oil recovery, refining, and steam generation. Technological advancements, including advanced membrane filtration, zero-liquid discharge systems, and modular plug-and-play designs, are further enhancing efficiency and scalability. For instance, at Shell's Pearl GTL facility in Qatar, Veolia implemented a large-scale Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system to ensure complete reuse of all wastewater streams on site, addressing both water scarcity and environmental sustainability. The effluent treatment plant, designed and built in partnership with Saipem and Al Jaber, can handle 45,000 m3/day and treats twelve different water streams to produce five grades of recycled water. Using technologies such as ultrafiltration, three-pass reverse osmosis, evaporation, and crystallization, the system ensures no liquid effluent is discharged-only salt crystals remain as solid waste.
Reverse Osmosis Technology Accounts for the Largest Share
Among technologies, reverse osmosis (RO) dominates the mobile water treatment market, driven by its high efficiency in removing dissolved salts, organics, and impurities from water. RO technology is widely adopted across industries such as power, petrochemical, and food & beverage due to its reliability in producing high-quality water. Increasing concerns over water scarcity and strict regulatory standards on water reuse and discharge are also accelerating adoption. For instance, Companies like EAI Water and HYDRAMEM (Ion Exchange) provide advanced RO systems and membranes that ensure efficiency, compliance, and sustainability by removing up to 99% of impurities. These solutions improve product quality, reduce maintenance costs, enable wastewater recycling, and conserve freshwater resources, making RO a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible choice despite challenges like energy use and membrane fouling.
The global mobile water treatment market is further divided by region, including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, ASEAN Countries, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).
North America Leading the Global Mobile Water Treatment Market Growth
North America dominates the global mobile water treatment market, supported by its robust industrial base, advanced technological expertise, and strong focus on sustainable resource management. The region's stringent environmental regulations and growing water stress have accelerated the adoption of mobile systems that provide rapid deployment, operational flexibility, and reliable performance across industries and municipalities.
Major providers in North America are at the forefront of scaling mobile fleets and advancing membrane-based technologies, reinforcing the region's reputation as a hub for innovation in portable water solutions. These efforts mirror global strategies to strengthen logistics, optimize treatment efficiency, and align with broader sustainability goals, demonstrating how North American leadership sets the pace for market growth worldwide. For instance, in April 2025, Veolia Water Technologies expanded its mobile water treatment capabilities in Brazil with a new Service Center in Cajamar, Sao Paulo, the largest mobile water fleet in the country. This facility improves logistics, rapid deployment, and sustainable water solutions for industries and municipalities. In parallel, its Sorocaba plant now focuses on advanced membrane technology, reinforcing Veolia's global leadership in water treatment.
The major companies operating in the global mobile water treatment market include SUEZ SA, Veolia Water Technologies, Xylem Inc. (Evoqua Water Technologies), Culligan Industrial Water, Aria Filtra (formerly Pall Water), and H2O Innovation, among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning.
Recent Developments