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Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Size & Share 2026-2035

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Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Size

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market was valued at USD 4.98 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 5.37 billion in 2026, and is forecast to expand at 8.0% CAGR (2026–2035) to USD 10.76 billion by 2035. The market covers demand-side expenditure for regulated treated-water supply to agricultural users, including treatment upgrades, distribution infrastructure, monitoring, chemicals, membranes, operations, maintenance, and service tariffs.

Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Key Takeaways

2025 Market Size
$ 4.98 Billion
2026 Market Size
$ 5.37 Billion
2035 Forecast Market Size
$ 10.76 Billion
CAGR (2026–2035)
8%
Regional Dominance
Largest Market
MEA
Fastest Growing Region
Europe
Key Players
  • Market Leader: Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions led with over 3.8% market share in 2025.

  • Leading Players: Top 5 players in this market include Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, VA Tech Wabag Ltd., Xylem Inc., Pentair plc, Kurita Water Industries, which collectively held a market share of 9.1% in 2025.

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market is being reshaped by water scarcity, wastewater-discharge controls, and the need to make irrigation supply more resilient to climate variability. Revenue is expected to rise faster than deployed volume as utilities and agricultural users move toward higher treatment-quality tiers for food production, controlled-environment cultivation, and lower-contact irrigation systems.

GMI Analyst View

Based on our assessments of formal water utility programmes and agricultural deployment monitoring data, the global formal agricultural reuse volume stood at 46.0 BCM per year in 2025. This volume anchor reveals that commercial infrastructure investment has yet to match the irrigation potential of available treated flows, sustaining a substantial addressable deployment gap that underpins demand through the forecast period.

Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Trends, Growth Drivers & GMI Forecast Outlook

Regulation is turning treated effluent into a procurable agricultural input rather than a disposal obligation, especially where water stress and agricultural intensity coincide. The forecast depends on utilities converting treatment capacity into reliable distribution networks while controlling the cost and permitting burden of higher-quality reuse systems.

Key Drivers

DriverEvidence signalMarket-demand implicationGMI forecast condition
Global freshwater depletion and widening agricultural water demand gapAgriculture accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals [1]Water-stressed farming regions shift procurement toward treated wastewater as a priced, reliable irrigation alternativeDeployment volumes accelerate progressively through 2029; moderate as early-mover markets reach reuse saturation
EU regulatory mandate and global reuse policy accelerationApproximately 1 billion m³ of treated wastewater is reused for irrigation annually in the EU [2]Non-discretionary compliance procurement cycles sustain capital investment in treatment upgrades across EU member states and policy-aligned marketsEU compliance-driven procurement sustains elevated growth through 2029; secondary compliance waves extend growth into 2031–2033
Nutrient co-benefits and precision fertigation adoption reducing agricultural input costsEU Regulation 2020/741, applicable from June 2023, establishes Class A through D quality standards enabling certified food-crop irrigation with reclaimed water [3]Farmers in certified reuse programmes recover embedded nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium value, reducing synthetic fertiliser dependencyPremium fertigation schemes command higher water tariffs in food-crop and greenhouse segments, sustaining revenue growth rates above volume growth

Evidence anchors use cited external data; demand implications and forecast conditions represent GMI analysis.

Freshwater scarcity is making irrigation reliability a commercial issue rather than solely a farm-level risk. Treated wastewater offers utilities a recurring outlet for treated flows and gives irrigators a supply that is less exposed to rainfall volatility. That alignment is particularly consequential where urban wastewater generation is expanding alongside pressure on groundwater and surface-water allocations.

The policy effect is strongest when a quality standard, project-approval pathway, and agricultural distribution obligation operate together. EU rules have created a clearer basis for utilities to justify upgrades and for farms to enter longer-term reuse arrangements. Comparable policy momentum in water-constrained markets is broadening the project pipeline, although local financing structures still determine the pace of execution.

Nutrient value further changes the economics of reuse where monitoring and fertigation systems can match water application to crop requirements. Treated effluent can reduce part of the synthetic-input requirement, particularly in high-volume fodder, orchard, and controlled-environment applications. The commercial benefit is greatest where suppliers can demonstrate predictable quality and growers can integrate water and nutrient management in a single operating plan.

Key Restraints

RestraintEvidence signalMarket-demand implicationGMI forecast condition
Advanced treatment cost premium over conventional irrigation water sourcesAverage MBR process operating cost of 0.25 USD/m³, compared with conventional activated sludge processes [4]Price-sensitive operators in developing and subsidy-dependent markets resist capital-intensive upgrade cyclesAdvanced treatment adoption concentrates in higher-income markets and mandatory compliance settings; secondary-treatment infrastructure remains dominant in cost-constrained geographies through at least 2030
Persistent contaminants of emerging concern and antibiotic resistance genes in treated effluentOver 80% of global wastewater is discharged untreated, and current treatment technologies cannot completely remove all micropollutants from the fraction that is treated [5]Regulatory uncertainty over contaminants of emerging concern restricts licensing for high-value food-crop and raw-consumption irrigationAdvanced oxidation and UV-integrated systems attract incremental investment, raising per-unit system costs and extending licence approval timelines
Social acceptance barriers and fragmented regulatory approval processes delaying project activationEU Regulation 2020/741, applicable from June 2023, includes an opt-out mechanism for member states where freshwater is abundant; equivalent harmonised frameworks are absent across most non-EU jurisdictions [3]Farmer and consumer scepticism over food safety raises project pre-feasibility costs and extends community-engagement timelinesReuse deployment in markets without a structured regulatory gateway remains event-driven rather than policy-driven through the forecast period

Evidence anchors use cited external data; demand implications and forecast conditions represent GMI analysis.

Higher-quality reuse requires additional treatment stages, energy, equipment, and operating discipline beyond conventional wastewater processing. This creates a difficult investment case where irrigation water remains subsidised or where groundwater abstraction is inexpensive. Public grants, blended financing, and enforceable quality obligations therefore remain important determinants of whether advanced systems move from pilot deployment to scaled agricultural service.

Contaminants of emerging concern create a moving compliance target for developers. Even when pathogen requirements are met, permitting authorities may require additional monitoring or treatment for pharmaceuticals, industrial compounds, microplastics, and antibiotic-resistance risks. This is most consequential in raw-consumption food applications, where the value proposition is attractive but the tolerance for uncertainty is low.

Social acceptance can lengthen project development even in technically mature markets. Farmers, retailers, and consumers require confidence that water quality is consistently monitored and that regulatory safeguards are understandable. Developers that build transparent quality-assurance, certification, and stakeholder-engagement processes into project design are better placed to reduce approval friction and secure agricultural offtake.

GMI Analyst View

We see the market's near-term upside resting on the ability of policy frameworks to convert compliance obligations into financeable utility and farm contracts. Advanced treatment suppliers are well positioned where food-safety requirements tighten, but broad deployment will remain uneven where project finance, permitting, and local acceptance do not advance together.

Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Segment Analysis

By Treatment Technology

Secondary-Treated Wastewater Reuse

Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Size By Treatment Technology 2025 And 2035 Usd Billion
Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Size By Treatment Technology 2025 And 2035 Usd Billion

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market's secondary-treated wastewater reuse segment held a 25.0% share in 2025 and is projected to account for 20.0% by 2035. It remains relevant for non-food crops, fodder, forestry, and other applications whose water-quality requirements can be met through conventional biological treatment.

Its relative position is expected to narrow as standards for food crops and sensitive horticulture favor tertiary and advanced processes. The installed base of municipal activated-sludge systems nevertheless provides a substantial platform for lower-cost reuse schemes where regulation permits restricted application classes.

Tertiary-Treated Wastewater Reuse

Tertiary-treated wastewater reuse generated USD 2.49 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.17 billion by 2035. The segment serves the broad middle of the market by combining filtration and disinfection capabilities with a lower upgrade burden than full advanced-treatment systems.

Its scale reflects the suitability of tertiary quality for processed food crops, fodder, and many municipal reuse programmes. Utilities can often build on existing treatment assets, making this tier a practical route to compliant agricultural supply while higher-grade systems are reserved for more stringent end uses.

Advanced-Treated Wastewater Reuse (MBR, RO, UV, AOP)

Advanced-treated wastewater reuse is projected to hold a 32.0% revenue share by 2035 and expand at 10.8% CAGR (2026–2035). Membrane bioreactor, reverse-osmosis, UV, and advanced-oxidation systems support the quality requirements associated with raw-consumption crops, greenhouse cultivation, and other high-value uses.

The segment benefits from a shift toward applications where irrigation quality has a direct influence on crop-market access and operating risk. Its premium pricing is supported by stricter standards, but adoption remains tied to the availability of capital, energy-efficient equipment, and credible monitoring capabilities.

By Wastewater Source

Municipal/Urban Wastewater

Municipal and urban wastewater generated USD 3.24 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 6.67 billion by 2035. Centralised treatment networks provide the most consistent feedwater base and enable utilities to redirect treated effluent from discharge points toward formal agricultural customers.

Municipal systems are especially well positioned where cities are expanding sanitation capacity while nearby irrigated agriculture faces water constraints. The segment's commercial development depends on whether treatment plants are connected to farms through dedicated conveyance, storage, and quality-management arrangements.

Industrial Wastewater

Industrial wastewater is projected to generate USD 2.15 billion by 2035, rising from an 18.0% revenue share in 2025. Food and beverage, textile, and chemical operations can offer relatively consistent effluent streams that are suitable for closed-loop or adjacent agricultural reuse after appropriate treatment.

The source category gains relevance where industrial sites and agricultural areas share constrained water basins. Project economics are strongest when reuse also supports discharge compliance, lowers freshwater procurement exposure, and allows industrial operators to develop predictable treatment partnerships with growers.

Agricultural Drainage Water

Agricultural drainage water held a 12.0% share in 2025 and is forecast to grow at 8.9% CAGR (2026–2035). Closed-loop irrigation and controlled-environment systems are creating opportunities to recover and treat return flows where water scarcity and energy-intensive agriculture coincide.

The segment can involve lower treatment complexity than municipal or industrial sources in specific settings, but salinity accumulation remains a central technical constraint. Operators must manage soil chemistry and recirculation quality carefully if drainage reuse is to provide durable irrigation value rather than shift risk downstream.

Greywater

Greywater is projected to hold a 5.0% revenue share by 2035, from a revenue base of USD 249 million in 2025. Its role is concentrated in decentralised rural and peri-urban systems where household or community-scale treatment is more feasible than extending centralised wastewater infrastructure.

Commercial demand is shaped by local water stress, land-use density, and the ability to operate small systems reliably. Greywater reuse can improve resilience for nearby agriculture, but fragmented ownership and limited technical capacity constrain the pace of scaled deployment.

By Agricultural Application

Non-Food Crop Irrigation

Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Share By Agricultural Application 2025
Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Share By Agricultural Application 2025

Non-food crop irrigation accounted for a 20.0% share in 2025 and is projected to grow at 6.9% CAGR (2026–2035). Fibre crops, biofuel feedstocks, ornamental plants, turf, and managed greenspace can often use secondary or basic tertiary water quality under established regulatory conditions.

The segment remains a practical entry point for reuse schemes because it carries lower food-safety sensitivity. Its growth profile is comparatively moderate because lower treatment intensity limits the revenue premium available to technology providers and utilities.

Livestock & Fodder Crop Irrigation

Livestock and fodder crop irrigation generated USD 747 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.51 billion by 2035. Pasture, silage, and fodder production require dependable, high-volume water supply and can operate under treatment standards that are less stringent than those for raw-consumption crops.

Water-stressed livestock regions are therefore a natural market for utility-farm supply agreements. The application supports consistent demand, particularly where farms can use treated effluent's nutrient content as part of broader agronomic management.

Food Crop Irrigation — Processed & Cooked

Food crop irrigation for processed and cooked production generated USD 1.25 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.80 billion by 2035. Orchards, vineyards, root vegetables, and similar applications can be suited to tertiary or Class B quality where subsequent peeling, cooking, or thermal processing reduces exposure concerns.

This application combines large irrigated acreage with an expanding regulatory basis for certified reuse. Producers can benefit when reclaimed-water supply improves irrigation continuity without requiring the highest-cost treatment configuration needed for direct raw-consumption channels.

Food Crop Irrigation — Raw Consumption

Food crop irrigation for raw consumption is projected to generate USD 1.83 billion by 2035 and grow at 9.4% CAGR (2026–2035). Leafy vegetables, berries, herbs, and other fresh produce require the most rigorous water-quality management among the agricultural applications.

The segment is a principal driver of advanced-treatment investment because crop value and food-safety exposure justify greater monitoring and treatment intensity. Its expansion will depend on regulators, retailers, and growers accepting robust risk-management systems as a credible basis for sustained reuse.

Greenhouse & Nursery Cultivation

Greenhouse and nursery cultivation is projected to hold a 16.0% revenue share by 2035 and grow at 8.7% CAGR (2026–2035). Controlled-environment systems can continuously monitor water quality and operate within recirculating loops, reducing uncertainty relative to open-field irrigation.

The segment is well aligned with precision fertigation because nutrient content can be managed as part of the crop-input programme. This operational control supports premium reuse systems where growers require reliable water quality and predictable delivery for high-value horticulture.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is projected to generate USD 968 million by 2035 and accounted for a 10.0% revenue share in 2025. Reuse in fish, shellfish, and integrated agriculture-aquaculture systems depends on tight control of pathogens, nutrient loads, and water chemistry.

Demand is most viable where water treatment can be integrated into recirculating systems or established farming models. Quality sensitivity limits the breadth of deployment, but specialised operators can create value where conventional freshwater supply is constrained.

By Irrigation Method

Surface/Flood Irrigation

Surface and flood irrigation accounted for a 35.0% share in 2025 and is projected to grow at 5.5% CAGR (2026–2035). Its installed base is extensive in lower-capital agricultural systems, where furrow, basin, and border-strip irrigation remain common.

The method's relative role is expected to decline as reuse projects move toward delivery systems that reduce crop and worker exposure. Lower-contact methods also provide better alignment with tightening water-quality requirements and water-efficiency objectives.

Sprinkler/Overhead Irrigation

Sprinkler and overhead irrigation generated USD 1.49 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow at 7.2% CAGR (2026–2035). Center-pivot and lateral-move systems support broad-acre fodder, pasture, and processed-food applications where certified tertiary supply is available.

The segment benefits from familiarity among large irrigators and from its adaptability across crop types. However, contact exposure and the need for reliable water quality limit its relative growth compared with drip and subsurface configurations.

Drip/Subsurface Irrigation

Drip and subsurface irrigation is projected to generate USD 4.73 billion by 2035 and grow at 10.7% CAGR (2026–2035). Low-contact application supports use across a wider range of crop types and can reduce pathogen-exposure concerns associated with reclaimed water.

The method also improves the commercial proposition of treated water by applying it more precisely at the root zone. As water becomes a priced agricultural input, the combination of irrigation efficiency and compliance alignment is expected to strengthen demand for drip-oriented reuse projects.

GMI Analyst View

We consider the shift toward advanced treatment and precision irrigation to be the defining segmentation change. Food-production and controlled-environment applications reward suppliers that can deliver verified quality at the point of use, while lower-treatment applications remain important for volume but offer less scope for premiumisation.

Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Regional Analysis

Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Share By Region 2025 And 2035
Treated Wastewater Reuse For Agriculture Market Share By Region 2025 And 2035

North America Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Analysis

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market in North America generated USD 995 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.09 billion by 2035. Drought exposure, groundwater constraints, and public water-infrastructure programmes are strengthening the rationale for agricultural reuse, particularly in the western United States.

The region's opportunity is tied to converting regulatory support into local distribution systems and long-term agricultural offtake. Projects with established utility governance and large irrigated customer bases are best placed to progress beyond demonstration scale.

U.S.

The U.S. generated USD 896 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.89 billion by 2035. California, Arizona, Florida, and other water-constrained states provide the most mature settings for municipal reclaimed-water supply to agricultural customers.

Federal and state water-security measures support a growing project pipeline, but local approvals and treatment requirements still shape investment timing. The migration toward tertiary and advanced treatment is particularly relevant where suppliers target food-contact and higher-value crop applications.

Canada

Canada's agricultural reuse market remains comparatively small, with activity centred on water-stressed areas of southwestern British Columbia and selected Prairie pilot programmes. Relatively abundant freshwater availability across many agricultural areas and less prescriptive reuse frameworks moderate the urgency for widespread deployment.

Europe Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Analysis

Europe is projected to reach USD 1.90 billion by 2035 and grow at 10.7% CAGR (2026–2035). EU water-reuse rules are creating a more consistent compliance foundation for treatment upgrades, irrigation supply contracts, and risk-management practices in agricultural reuse.

Growth remains uneven because water scarcity, existing wastewater assets, and project maturity differ substantially across the region. Mediterranean markets are generally better positioned to translate regulatory clarity into near-term projects, while other markets are building institutional and technical capacity.

Germany

Germany is projected to generate USD 266 million by 2035 and grow at 9.8% CAGR (2026–2035). Horticultural clusters, emerging water stress, and investment in micropollutant-removal capability support the country's role as a technology-development market within Europe.

Its engineering base and institutional capacity provide a foundation for advanced reuse solutions. Commercial expansion will depend on how quickly municipal operators and growers convert research and compliance readiness into recurring agricultural supply arrangements.

Spain

Spain held a 15.0% share of the European market in 2025 and is projected to generate USD 285 million by 2035. Extensive irrigated agriculture, chronic water scarcity, and longstanding experience with reclaimed-water governance create a comparatively established platform for market development.

Continued investment is supported by the need to protect production in major citrus, vegetable, olive, and horticultural areas. Drip irrigation and existing reuse infrastructure make Spain a practical reference market for integrating water-efficiency measures with formal reuse supply.

France

France is projected to grow at 11.6% CAGR (2026–2035) and generate USD 247 million by 2035. The country is moving from a historically cautious reuse posture toward more active project development as agricultural water resilience becomes a higher policy priority.

The Argelès-sur-Mer installation illustrates the increasing commercial relevance of utility-led reclaimed-water projects for agricultural users [6]. France's progression will be shaped by the replicability of such schemes across local authorities, grower networks, and water-stressed production areas.

U.K.

The U.K. generated USD 84 million in 2025 and is forecast to grow at 9.5% CAGR (2026–2035). Drier conditions in important agricultural areas and evolving water-resources planning are encouraging water companies and farms to assess formal reclaimed-water arrangements.

The market is still developing its own quality and implementation approach outside the EU framework. Pilot contracts and regional water-resource strategies will be important in determining whether reuse becomes a routine agricultural supply option.

Italy

Italy is projected to generate USD 228 million by 2035 and grow at 10.6% CAGR (2026–2035). Recurrent drought in the Po Valley and southern agricultural regions is increasing the value of dual-purpose treatment assets that can serve different crop-quality requirements.

Municipal utilities and agricultural consortia are becoming more closely linked in reuse planning. The market's advancement depends on aligning treatment investment, digital risk management, and farm-level distribution across fragmented local water systems.

Asia Pacific Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Analysis

Asia Pacific generated USD 1.25 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.56 billion by 2035. The region combines large agricultural demand with highly varied national policy and infrastructure conditions, producing a broad but uneven reuse opportunity.

India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China each illustrate a different route to market, ranging from utility-led expansion to institutional programmes and targeted pilot deployment. Regulatory clarity and the ability to direct reclaimed water specifically to agriculture will determine country-level outcomes.

China

China generated USD 125 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 275 million by 2035. Although reclaimed-water capacity is expanding, formal allocation to agricultural use remains limited relative to industrial, urban, and ecological applications.

The market requires more explicit agricultural incentives and supply arrangements to convert broader non-conventional-water policy into farm demand. Without those mechanisms, reuse investment is likely to remain concentrated outside agricultural applications.

India

India generated USD 280 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 615 million by 2035. Severe agricultural water stress, growing urban treatment capacity, and state-level wastewater-reuse initiatives create a substantial base for formal irrigation supply.

The opportunity is supported by large fodder and food-crop systems located near expanding cities. Progress will depend on improving treatment quality, farmer confidence, financing access, and operating coordination between municipal utilities and agricultural users.

Japan

Japan is projected to generate USD 340 million by 2035 and grow at 6.8% CAGR (2026–2035). Its reuse market is characterised by high quality standards, institutional project delivery, and a measured regulatory approach to agricultural deployment.

Water-stress events are increasing policy attention, but the pace of adoption remains disciplined. Municipal and regional water agencies will continue to be the central counterparties for reuse projects serving agricultural communities.

Australia

Australia is projected to generate USD 345 million by 2035 and grow at 6.9% CAGR (2026–2035). Established recycled-water standards, recurrent drought exposure, and public investment in water infrastructure support agricultural reuse development.

The market benefits from experience with high-quality recycled water for horticultural and food-related applications. Its long-term trajectory is linked to the ability of water authorities to extend distribution infrastructure into productive agricultural catchments.

South Korea

South Korea held a 10.0% share of the Asia Pacific market in 2025 and is projected to generate USD 280 million by 2035. National reuse initiatives are moving from pilot activity toward scaled deployment, including supply to greenhouse and controlled-environment agriculture.

The country's institutional water-security agenda provides a route for concentrated project execution. Continued growth will depend on integrating agricultural demand with treatment, distribution, and monitoring systems managed by public-sector water entities.

Latin America Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Analysis

Latin America is projected to generate USD 950 million by 2035 and grow at 9.1% CAGR (2026–2035). Water stress in major agricultural zones, expanding sanitation investment, and developing reuse policy frameworks are creating a stronger structural basis for treated-water irrigation.

The region's potential is substantial but remains dependent on regulatory implementation and project finance. Brazil is the principal demand centre, making regional performance sensitive to the pace of infrastructure and policy execution in its largest agricultural economy.

Brazil

Brazil held a 55.0% share of the Latin American market in 2025 and is forecast to grow at 9.4% CAGR (2026–2035). Water stress in key producing areas, large-scale crop systems, and expanding sanitation infrastructure create the region's most concentrated agricultural reuse opportunity.

State-level implementation will be central to translating national sanitation reforms into operating projects. Demand is especially relevant where drip irrigation, urban wastewater treatment, and high-value agricultural production converge in the same basin.

Argentina

Argentina is projected to generate USD 175 million by 2035 and grow at 8.2% CAGR (2026–2035). Vineyard and horticultural areas in Mendoza and San Juan are exploring treated-water reuse as declining meltwater availability raises irrigation risk.

Provincial authorities currently play the leading role in project development. A more cohesive national framework could improve replication, but local water governance and agricultural-export priorities will continue to shape the market's near-term direction.

Middle East & Africa Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Analysis

The Middle East & Africa region held a 32.9% revenue share in 2025 and is projected to generate USD 3.27 billion by 2035. Its market leadership reflects acute water scarcity, state-backed infrastructure investment, and large municipal reuse schemes connected to agricultural users.

The regional model is distinguished by public utility and national-development programmes that can mobilise capital at scale. Growth will remain strongest where governments align treatment upgrades with dedicated conveyance infrastructure and defined agricultural offtake.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia generated USD 410 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 910 million by 2035. National water-transformation initiatives are supporting tertiary-treated supply for date palm, fodder, and controlled-environment agricultural operations.

The country's state-directed investment model creates a sustained project pipeline for treatment upgrades and distribution networks. Its scale makes Saudi Arabia a key determinant of regional demand for advanced municipal reuse technologies.

UAE

The UAE held a 15.0% share of the Middle East & Africa market in 2025 and is projected to grow at 7.0% CAGR (2026–2035). Water-security objectives and purpose-built distribution infrastructure support treated-water supply to agricultural farm networks.

The market is characterised by coordinated public planning rather than purely market-led economics. Advanced treatment and dedicated conveyance allow reuse to serve agricultural areas that would otherwise rely heavily on scarce freshwater or desalinated supply.

South Africa

South Africa is projected to generate USD 310 million by 2035 and grow at 6.5% CAGR (2026–2035). Activity is concentrated in water-stressed wine, deciduous-fruit, and peri-urban horticultural areas where local authorities are evaluating reclaimed-water supply.

Aging municipal infrastructure, financing constraints, and inconsistent regulatory clarity limit broader adoption. Greater investment in treatment reliability and a clearer national reuse framework would improve the market's ability to translate local pilots into scalable programmes.

GMI Analyst View

We view regional performance as structurally differentiated rather than simply ranked by growth. Europe is being pulled forward by compliance-led investment, while the Middle East & Africa benefits from state-directed utility programmes. Asia Pacific and Latin America offer substantial opportunity, but their outcomes will depend more heavily on country-specific execution.

Treated Wastewater Reuse for Agriculture Market Share & Competitive Landscape

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market share remains highly fragmented, with the five largest commercially visible participants accounting for approximately 9.1% of 2025 revenue. Public and national utilities capture a significant portion of agricultural reuse activity, while commercial suppliers compete for treatment technology, membranes, engineering, procurement, construction, monitoring, and operations contracts.

Veolia Environnement S.A. provides the broader group platform supporting water-treatment activity across municipal and industrial markets. Its scale, installed base, and financing capacity support the pursuit of complex reuse programmes that require technology integration and long-duration service capability.

Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions (VWTS) held a 3.8% market share in 2025. Its integrated membrane, filtration, and advanced-treatment portfolio supports high-quality agricultural reuse applications, particularly where utilities require Class A-equivalent output for food crops and controlled-environment cultivation.

VWTS differentiates through its ability to combine treatment design, equipment supply, and project execution for large municipal reuse schemes. This capability is particularly relevant in markets where agricultural distribution and treatment compliance must be developed as a single project proposition.

Xylem Inc. (including Evoqua Water Technologies) held a 1.6% market share in 2025. Its portfolio spans biological treatment, membrane bioreactors, UV disinfection, monitoring, and municipal service capabilities relevant to formal agricultural reuse.

The company's established utility relationships offer an important route to North American reuse opportunities. Its competitive position is reinforced where customers seek integrated treatment and digital-monitoring solutions rather than stand-alone equipment.

Pentair plc competes through modular treatment and water-management solutions suited to decentralised, community-scale, and controlled-environment reuse applications. Its position is relevant where agricultural users require scalable systems outside the project size typically targeted by large engineering contractors.

VA Tech Wabag Ltd. held a 2.2% market share in 2025. Its government contracting experience and presence in India and Middle East & Africa support participation in municipal treatment and reuse-adjacent projects in high-growth water-stressed markets.

The company is well positioned where public-sector procurement, wastewater-treatment expansion, and agricultural reuse priorities overlap. Its regional execution history can help it compete for projects that require both local delivery capability and long-term operating expertise.

Metito Group has established project-development, EPC, and operations capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa. Its full-cycle delivery model aligns with public authorities' preference for integrated solutions that combine treatment infrastructure, financing coordination, and operating responsibility.

IDE Technologies brings advanced water-treatment expertise and a strong reference base in water-constrained markets. Its capabilities are relevant to higher-quality reuse projects where desalination-adjacent treatment knowledge, membrane performance, and stringent quality management are required.

Kurita Water Industries competes through water-treatment chemicals and technology expertise serving institutional and industrial customers. Its ability to support water-quality optimisation is relevant to Asia Pacific markets where reuse programmes are developing under rigorous operational standards.

Mekorot Water Company represents a significant reference case in large-scale agricultural reuse and water-management practice. Its experience with irrigation supply, nutrient management, and quality monitoring supports advisory and technology-transfer opportunities in water-stressed markets.

Organica Water supplies compact biological treatment systems applicable to land-constrained municipal and peri-urban settings. Its approach is relevant where communities need high-performance treatment before extending reclaimed-water services to nearby agricultural users.

Aquacycl focuses on decentralised wastewater-treatment approaches for resource-constrained settings. Its technology is relevant to smaller reuse systems where lower-energy treatment can form part of a local agricultural water-supply solution.

WCS Environmental Engineering operates in environmental and water engineering, including reuse feasibility and project-development work. Its role is most relevant in markets that require site-specific planning, technical design, and stakeholder coordination before capital deployment.

Nijhuis Saur Industries supplies technologies spanning nutrient removal, membranes, and resource recovery for municipal and industrial customers. Its portfolio can support reuse projects requiring tailored treatment trains and integrated water-quality management.

DuPont Water Solutions supplies membrane, filtration, and ion-exchange components used in advanced treatment systems. As an upstream technology provider, it participates through equipment supply to original-equipment manufacturers and integrated project developers rather than through full-system delivery alone.

Recent Industry Developments

June 2026 — Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions and CCACVI inaugurated France's largest treated-wastewater reuse installation. The Alberes-Cote Vermeille-Illibéris Community of Municipalities and Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions inaugurated a treated-wastewater reuse installation at Argelès-sur-Mer in the Eastern Pyrenees. The facility recycles up to 1.3 million cubic metres of municipal wastewater annually through membrane ultrafiltration to Category A water quality and supplies a drip-irrigation network covering more than 650 hectares of vineyards and apricot orchards across approximately 60 farms [6].

July 2026 — HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital closed its first water-infrastructure investment in U.S. treated wastewater reuse for agriculture. HA Sustainable Infrastructure Capital closed a structured equity investment in the Pasco Resource Recovery Center in Washington state. The facility has capacity to recycle more than one billion gallons of water annually for agricultural irrigation under a long-term wastewater-treatment agreement with the City of Pasco [7].

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Authors:  Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

The treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market size was estimated at USD 4.98 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 5.37 billion in 2026.
The market is projected to reach USD 10.76 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2026 to 2035.
MEA currently holds the largest share of the treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market in 2025.
Europe is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.
Some of the major players in treated wastewater reuse for agriculture market include Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions, VA Tech Wabag Ltd., Xylem Inc., Pentair plc, Kurita Water Industries.

Research methodology, data sources & validation process

This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.

Our 6-step research process

  1. 1. Research design & analyst oversight

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  2. 2. Primary research

    Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.

  3. 3. Data mining & market analysis

    Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.

  4. 4. Market sizing

    Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.

  5. 5. Forecast model & key assumptions

    Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:

    • ✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact

    • ✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios

    • ✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk

    • ✓ Technology adoption curve parameter

    • ✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)

    • ✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations

  6. 6. Validation & quality assurance

    The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.

    Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:

    • ✓ Statistical Validation

    • ✓ Expert Validation

    • ✓ Market Reality Check

Trust & credibility

10+
Years in Service
Consistent delivery since establishment
A+
BBB Accreditation
Professional standards & satisfaction
ISO
Certified Quality
ISO 9001-2015 Certified Company
150+
Research Analysts
Across 20+ industry verticals
95%
Client Retention
5-year relationship value

Verified data sources

  • Trade publications

    Industry journals, trade publications, and specialized media.

  • Industry databases

    Proprietary and third-party market databases

  • Regulatory filings

    Government procurement records and policy documents

  • Academic research

    University studies and specialist institution reports

  • Company reports

    Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings

  • Expert interviews

    C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists

  • GMI archive

    13,000+ published studies across 20+ industry verticals

  • Trade data

    Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records

Parameters studied & evaluated

Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →

Authors:  Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
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