Advanced Technologies for Municipal Water Treatment

Additional Information

INTRODUCTION

Depending upon the source and what is included in the estimate, the global market for water and wastewater treatment equipment is reportedly valued at $400 billion to $500 billion. Between $65 billion and $75 billon is related specifically to equipment.

According to the United Nations’ Third World Water Development Report (2009), up to $148 billion will need to be invested worldwide in water supplies and wastewater services annually to 2025. That figure reflects chronic underinvestment in water infrastructure. This problem is manifest not only in the developing world, but also in advanced economies, which will need to make considerable investments in the coming years just to maintain services.

The majority of expenditures for water treatment are for conventional water equipment and chemicals; however, an ever growing percentage relates to advanced treatment technologies, including membrane filtration, ultraviolet irradiation, ozone disinfection, and some novel disinfectant systems.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This BCC marketing report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for advanced municipal drinking water treatment. These methods include membrane filtration, ultraviolet irradiation, ozone disinfection, and a few emerging novel processes. These so-called advanced technologies are known as “advanced” due to their improved effectiveness against a growing range of regulated drinking water contaminants, their decreased production of waste, their nonhazardous properties, their diminished demand for chemical additives, and sometimes their lower energy requirements.

Municipal drinking water treatments, whether physical, biological, or chemical processes, range in sophistication from ancient sieving methods to state-of-the-art computer-controlled techniques. Conventional drinking water treatment is accomplished by methods hundreds of years old. Processes consist of one or more of the following steps: flocculation and sedimentation, in which small particles coagulate into larger ones and settle out of the water stream; rapid sand filtration, to remove remaining particles; and disinfection with chlorine, to kill microbes. None of the traditional technologies will be evaluated in this report except to make comparisons to advanced treatments.

Technical and market drivers are considered in evaluating the current value of the technologies and in forecasting growth and trends over the next 5 years. The conclusions are illustrated with statistical information on markets, applications, industry structure, and dynamics along with technological developments.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

This report is intended for those who require a thorough analysis of the advanced municipal drinking water treatment industry. It traces significant developments and forecasts important trends, quantifies the various market sectors, and profiles companies active in those areas. Because of the fragmented nature of the industry, it is difficult to find studies that gather extensive data from diverse resources and analyze it in the context of a comprehensive document. This report contains a unique collection of information and conclusions that is difficult to find elsewhere.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This comprehensive report aims to provide those interested in investment, acquisition, or expansion into the advanced drinking water treatment market with specific, detailed information crucial to making educated decisions. Senior marketing personnel, venture capitalists, executive planners, research directors, government officials, and suppliers to the water industry who want to discover and exploit current or projected market niches should find this report of value. Nonindustry readers who wish to understand how regulations, market pressures, and technology interact in the arena also will find this study worthwhile.

SCOPE OF REPORT

This report examines the market for four categories of advanced municipal water treatment: membrane filtration, ultraviolet irradiation, ozone disinfection, and some novel advanced oxidation processes. Five-year projections are provided for market activity and value. Industry structure, technological trends, pricing considerations, R&D, government regulations, company profiles, and competitive technologies are included in the study. The report is primarily a study of the U.S. market, but due to the international presence of some industry participants, global activities are included when appropriate.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this study. A comprehensive literature, patent, and Internet search was undertaken and key industry players were queried. Research methodology was both quantitative and qualitative. Growth rates were calculated based on existing and proposed equipment sales for each of the advanced methods during the forecast period. A key table in the report’s overview presents the average capital cost per gallon of water treated by technology type. These figures then were multiplied by anticipated treatment capacity additions during the survey period.

Consumables used in the processes, replacement membranes, UV lamps, and so on, were also taken into account. Values are given in U.S. dollars; forecasts are made in constant U.S. dollars, and growth rates are compounded. Calculations for system sales do not include design or engineering costs.