Water & Wastewater Automation Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Offering (Hardware, Software, and Services), Process Stage, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Water & Wastewater Automation Market is accounted for $14.85 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $74.48 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 25.9% during the forecast period. Water and wastewater automation involves integrating smart technologies, sensors, and software to oversee and optimize water treatment, supply, and wastewater management operations. By enabling real-time monitoring, process control, and predictive maintenance, these systems increase efficiency, cut operational costs, and ensure regulatory compliance. Automation helps in leak detection, controlling pumps, adjusting chemical levels, and maintaining water quality, reducing the need for manual oversight while enhancing safety, reliability, and sustainability in both municipal and industrial water and wastewater management infrastructures.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rising demand for efficient water management

Industries and municipalities are seeking technologies that can monitor, control, and optimize water usage. Rising urbanization and industrialization are creating pressure on water resources, pushing for smarter management systems. Automation allows real-time monitoring of water quality, flow, and consumption, improving overall operational efficiency. Governments and organizations are promoting sustainable water practices, encouraging investment in automated solutions. Technological advancements such as IoT sensors and SCADA systems are making water management more precise. Consequently, market adoption is accelerating as stakeholders aim to reduce wastage and operational costs.

Restraint:

Integration complexity with legacy systems

Many water treatment facilities rely on outdated infrastructure, making seamless adoption complex. Compatibility issues can lead to system downtime or performance inefficiencies during upgrades. High initial investment costs and technical expertise requirements further slow implementation. Additionally, staff training and system customization add to operational hurdles. Smaller facilities often lack the resources to fully integrate modern automation tools. These factors collectively act as a restraint, limiting the pace of market growth.

Opportunity:

Integration with emerging technologies

Innovations like AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics can enhance system efficiency and reduce water losses. Smart sensors and IoT platforms enable better monitoring and proactive maintenance of water infrastructure. Cloud-based solutions allow centralized management and remote access to multiple facilities. Collaboration with technology providers can drive tailored automation solutions for industrial and municipal applications. Growing awareness of sustainable water practices is motivating adoption of high-tech solutions. Overall, the convergence of automation with cutting-edge technologies presents lucrative growth opportunities for stakeholders.

Threat:

Competitive pressure from alternative technologies

Emerging solutions, such as decentralized water treatment systems or manual optimization tools, may reduce the reliance on automation platforms. Low-cost regional competitors offering basic systems can challenge market leaders. Rapid technological advancements require continuous innovation to maintain relevance. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing market share to more agile players. Regulatory changes and shifts in government incentives can also impact adoption rates. Consequently, intense competition and evolving technological landscapes remain significant threats.

Covid-19 Impact:

The pandemic disrupted water management operations, affecting both industrial and municipal facilities. Lockdowns and labor shortages delayed project implementation and system maintenance. Global supply chain disruptions created delays in equipment procurement and installation. However, the crisis accelerated interest in remote monitoring and automation for essential services. Facilities adopted digital tools to ensure continuous operation while minimizing human intervention. Post-pandemic strategies are emphasizing resilient and automated water management systems. As a result, Covid-19 has both challenged operations and accelerated the adoption of smart solutions.

The hardware segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The hardware segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period, due to its essential role in automation infrastructure. Sensors, controllers, and actuators are critical components for monitoring and regulating water and wastewater systems. Industrial facilities and municipalities rely heavily on these devices for real-time operational control. Continuous innovation in hardware, such as more accurate sensors and durable components, is boosting adoption. Growing investment in infrastructure modernization is further supporting market growth. Hardware solutions provide the foundation for software and analytics integration, increasing overall system efficiency.

The industrial segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the industrial segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. Industries such as chemicals, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals are investing in automated water management systems. Increasing water consumption and stricter discharge regulations are driving the need for precise control. Automation enables companies to reduce operational costs and ensure regulatory compliance. Integration of real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance enhances productivity. Industries are also exploring IoT-enabled solutions for optimized resource management.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share, driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization. Countries like China, India, and Japan are investing heavily in water infrastructure modernization. Government initiatives promoting efficient water usage are supporting technology adoption. Increasing demand from municipalities and industries is boosting market penetration. The region is also witnessing advancements in smart water metering and wastewater treatment automation. Collaborations between local players and global technology providers are enhancing market growth.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Middle East & Africa region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, owing to growing investments in infrastructure development. Water scarcity issues are prompting governments to adopt advanced management systems. Industrial expansion and urban growth are increasing the need for efficient water treatment solutions. International collaborations and technology transfers are accelerating automation adoption. Smart water networks and monitoring systems are gaining traction across the region. Investments in desalination plants and wastewater recycling are also driving growth.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Water & Wastewater Automation Market include Siemens AG, Inductive Automation, Schneider Electric SE, Badger Meter, Inc., ABB Ltd., Veolia Environnement S.A., Emerson Electric Co., Suez SA, Rockwell Automation, Inc., Endress+Hauser Group, Honeywell International Inc., Xylem Inc., General Electric Company, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

Key Developments:

In December 2025, ABB announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire IPEC, a UK-based technology company with more than 30 years of expertise in electrical diagnostics. IPEC's advanced monitoring systems track critical electrical infrastructure around the clock, using AI and advanced analytics to predict failures that could result in multi-million-dollar losses, safety risks or extended outages for industries such as data centers, healthcare, utilities and manufacturing. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

In July 2025, Siemens AG announced that it has completed the acquisition of Dotmatics, a leading provider of Life Sciences R&D software headquartered in Boston and Portfolio Company of global software investor Insight Partners, for an enterprise value of $5.1 billion. With the transaction now completed, Dotmatics will form part of Siemens' Digital Industries Software business, marking a significant expansion of Siemens' industry-leading Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) portfolio into the rapidly growing and complementary Life Sciences market.

Offerings Covered:

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

Process Stages Covered:

• Collection
• Treatment
• Distribution
• Sludge Management

Applications Covered:

• Water Treatment Automation
• Distribution & Network Automation
• Wastewater Treatment Automation
• Monitoring & Control
• Leak & Pressure Management
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Municipal Utilities
• Industrial
• Residential
• Commercial
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances