Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment in Saudi Arabia Trends and Forecast
The future of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia looks promising with opportunities in the municipal and industrial markets. The global tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2031. The tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia is also forecasted to witness strong growth over the forecast period. The major drivers for this market are the water scarcity/lack of freshwater resources, the growth in industrial water consumption & discharge, and the increasing government initiatives to provide safe drinking water.
• Lucintel forecasts that, within the equipment category, the filter segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to its ability to eliminate any remaining suspended contaminants from the wastewater.
Emerging Trends in the Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is developing its tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment capacity to address the twin imperatives of water security and environmental sustainability. With limited freshwater supplies and intensive industrial activity, the nation is embracing advanced treatment technologies for supporting wastewater reuse and synchronizing with Vision 2030 targets. Pursued by the requirement for robust infrastructure, these trends cover smart systems, decentralized treatment, and resource recovery. The emphasis is laid on shifting from traditional approaches to high-efficiency, low-energy, and modular solutions in order to serve municipal as well as industrial customers better throughout the Kingdom.
• Modular Treatment Units for Remote Infrastructure: Saudi Arabia is using modular tertiary treatment units in remote settlements, desert settlements, and mining areas. These pre-fabricated modules are compact, rapidly installable, and can receive variable loads. Filtration, nutrient stripping, and UV disinfection are provided in them, and they assist treated water reuse for irrigation and sanitation. Such a trend enhances water access in off-grid communities and is consistent with national agendas for decentralized, scalable, and flexible water infrastructure in geographically spread settlements.
• Industrial Zone Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): ZLD systems with tertiary polishing are being adopted by industries in petrochemical and mining sectors. Advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis, evaporation-crystallization, and filtration assist in removing liquid waste and recovering as much water as possible. The initiative is being driven by tougher environmental regulations and sustainability requirements under Vision 2030. Adoption of ZLD reduces freshwater intake, minimizes environmental discharge, and increases operational resilience, especially in water-scarce industrial areas of the Eastern Province.
• Tertiary Refining for Mega Agricultural Projects: To complement its lofty food security objectives, Saudi Arabia is recycling tertiary-treated effluent for irrigating its large-scale farming initiatives such as NEOM and Al-Qassim. Technologies like disk filters, chlorination, and sand filtration produce effluent up to crop-specific quality. The practice allows the Kingdom to conserve its groundwater resources while boosting domestic food supply. It also offers assured water for cultivating arid land, contributing to economic diversification as well as sustainable resource management.
• AI-Based Predictive Control in Urban WWTPs: Large Riyadh and Jeddah municipal plants are installing AI-based platforms to streamline tertiary treatment processes. These platforms utilize real-time sensor inputs and machine learning algorithms to forecast load fluctuations, enhance energy efficiency, and minimize chemical dosing. The trend is a sign of the Kingdom‘s acceleration towards smart water infrastructure and digitalisation. It also allows utilities to achieve increasingly stringent effluent requirements with reduced operating expenses and enhanced system responsiveness.
• Resource Recovery Integration in Treatment Facilities: Tertiary systems are being engineered to facilitate recovery of by-products like phosphates and biosolids for recycling in agriculture and energy production. Technologies like struvite precipitation and digestion of sludge are being paired with polishing units. Plants in Tabuk and Medina are adopting these solutions under the framework of circular economy pilot programs. This is a trend away from wasting, toward maximizing economic value, and aligning with Saudi Arabia‘s movement towards sustainable water-waste management patterns.
Saudi Arabia‘s tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market is moving towards modularity, smart control, and resource recovery to address increasing reuse requirements and environmental goals. Trends like ZLD, AI-based operations, and agricultural reuse support national resilience while accelerating the uptake of high-performance, adaptive technologies. These technologies are revolutionizing wastewater from a liability into a valuable asset, consistent with Vision 2030‘s vision for sustainability.
Recent Developments in the Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia recently rolled out a number of important initiatives to enhance its tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment capacity in strategic sectors. National infrastructure strategies, PPP experiences, and regulatory enforcement are spurring investment in modern equipment. Progress runs the gamut from improvements in urban facilities to new reuse-focused projects in agricultural and industrial areas. Such efforts are positioning wastewater treatment with the Kingdom‘s visions of water savings, environmental safety, and smart city integration in Vision 2030.
• NEOM Inaugurates High-Efficiency Tertiary Reuse Plants: NEOM has begun deploying state-of-the-art tertiary treatment plants with advanced MBRs, nanofiltration, and UV-LED facilities. The plants are intended to have almost complete reuse of municipal and greywater streams. Treated water will be utilized for landscape irrigation, agriculture, and cooling. The development is part of Saudi Arabia‘s vision to create new sustainability standards in future cities and also demonstrates the use of state-of-the-art technologies in large-scale urban development.
• Riyadh WWTP Upgradation to Achieve Class A Discharge Requirements: Riyadh‘s main wastewater treatment plant is being expanded with a large tertiary upgrade to address Class A discharge standards. Upgrades consist of nutrient polishing, membrane filtration, and computerized chemical dosing systems. Effluent quality for urban non-potable reuse is the target. This improvement increases compliance, minimizes environmental footprint, and contributes to local water recycling policy in a city with increasing demand and limited groundwater resources.
• Development of Industrial Reuse Corridor in Jubail: A new project in Jubail is creating a centralized tertiary system to treat and recycle wastewater for several industrial tenants. It entails ozonation, ultrafiltration, and sludge dewatering equipment to make high-grade water available for reuse in process operations and cooling. The development minimizes dependence on desalinated water and maximizes industrial sustainability. It also provides a replicable model for integrated industrial reuse zones for Saudi Arabia‘s major economic clusters.
• Rural Water Reuse Public-Private Partnership Projects: In new PPP models, rural municipalities are entering into partnerships with private operators to implement small-scale tertiary systems. These facilities provide agricultural reuse and environmental protection to districts such as Asir and Najran. Technologies used are sand filtration, chlorination, and biological polishing. This initiative allows decentralized solutions to serve local agriculture and ecosystem health, showing the government‘s backing of distributed infrastructure models in water-scarce regions.
• Ministry of Environment‘s Effluent Reuse Certification Program: Saudi Arabia‘s Ministry of Environment introduced a reuse certification program for effluent that requires performance standards for tertiary-treated water. The scheme involves periodic audits of quality, inspection of equipment, and end-use classification. Equipment manufacturers are modifying their products accordingly, mainly for agricultural use and municipal landscaping. This move enhances accountability, increases public confidence, and establishes a regulated avenue for increasing treated water uses.
Saudi Arabia‘s new developments in tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment are evidence of robust institutional support and technological aspiration. From mega-city infrastructure to decentralized reuse in farming, advancements are building a solid, future-proof treatment system. These are not just increasing water availability and environmental protection, but also building the country‘s shift towards circular and sustainable water management practices in accordance with Vision 2030.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is ramping up efforts on water reuse, conservation, and environmental protection under Vision 2030. With acute water scarcity, high industrialization, and burgeoning urban growth, the need for advanced wastewater treatment is increasing. High-efficiency purification through tertiary systems is made possible for reuse, discharge, and environmental protection. Applications in sectors like municipal utilities, industries, and tourism are increasing. With sustainability emerging as a national priority, opportunities for growth in tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in Saudi Arabia are gaining strength across key and high-potential end uses.
• Urban Reuse in Mega-City Developments: The construction of smart cities such as NEOM and other metropolitan areas needs sustainable reuse infrastructure for water. The use of tertiary systems like ultrafiltration, ozone disinfection, and UV treatment provides safe, non-potable reuse for irrigation, cooling, and sanitation. Such systems are included in the basic infrastructure of new urban development models. The growth driver is the government‘s vision for resource efficiency, which supports long-term demand for modular, scalable tertiary treatment systems in commercial and residential areas.
• Industrial Water Recycling within Economic Zones: Saudi Arabia‘s industrial growth in areas such as Jubail and Yanbu requires closed-loop water treatment systems. Tertiary treatment enables industries to minimize intake from desalination facilities and comply with environmental discharge standards. Technologies like advanced oxidation and high-pressure membranes are employed for internal reuse and zero liquid discharge compliance. This movement is consistent with national sustainability guidelines and fuels the adoption of high-performance treatment technologies by the petrochemical, mining, and energy industries.
• Irrigation in Agriculture and Landscaping: Water recycling is important to mitigate pressure on freshwater resources for horticulture and gardening. Tertiary-treated wastewater is being used for crop irrigation, green parks, and urban landscape irrigation. Disinfection and biological polishing systems are utilized for pathogen removal and nutrient management. With growing emphasis on food security and urban landscaping, this use is fueling long-term demand for treatment products that supply high-quality, safe water suitable for environmental reuse in dry areas.
• Tourism and Hospitality Sector Wastewater Reuse: Tourism projects under Vision 2030, like the Red Sea Project, are subject to stringent environmental sustainability requirements. Hotels and resorts implement decentralized tertiary solutions for wastewater treatment and reuse in-house. Compact membrane bioreactors and advanced disinfection units enable water reuse for irrigation, flushing toilets, and cooling. Such use conserves natural ecosystems and adheres to green building regulations, propelling demand for low-footprint, efficient treatment technologies in the hospitality industry.
• Surface Water Protection Around Desert and Coastal Ecosystems: Wastewater disposal in close proximity to sensitive desert and sea ecosystems necessitates tertiary-level treatment for prevention of contamination. Residual pollutants and pathogens are eliminated through tertiary systems, preserving biodiversity and soil quality. Plants within municipalities near coastlines and oases use polishing units in order to meet discharge standards. The opportunity promotes ongoing investment in tertiary treatment machinery that maintains ecological balance in sensitive areas essential to the environmental conservation strategy of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia‘s emphasis on sustainable development and resource efficiency is fast developing the market for tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment. Its uses in smart cities, industry, tourism, and agriculture are facilitating long-term investment in high-efficiency treatment facilities. The opportunities are a sign of the country‘s shift to integrated water management and strengthen the position of advanced treatment equipment in supporting its environmental and economic goals.
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Driver and Challenges
Saudi Arabia‘s tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market is shaped by national water reuse targets, environmental regulations, and industrial diversification objectives. Government investment and technological upgradation push equipment demand in all sectors. High capital requirements, inadequate technical labor, and uneven regional capability hinder growth. Companies must understand these factors in order to be able to seize opportunities in Saudi Arabia‘s changing water sector and assist Vision 2030‘s sustainability objectives.
The factors responsible for driving the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia include:
• Vision 2030 and National Sustainability Goals: Saudi Arabia‘s Vision 2030 policy focuses on water conservation, environmental conservation, and reuse. It requires next-generation treatment solutions in municipalities, industries, and real estate projects. Government-sponsored infrastructure initiatives involve tertiary treatment in wastewater projects, offering long-term market prospect. This national vision ensures sustained investment in high-efficiency treatment systems and accelerates technology uptake for countrywide environmental and economic goals.
• Expansion of Water Reuse Projects: Water scarcity and heavy reliance on desalination have made Saudi Arabia invest in water reuse. Tertiary treatment is essential to treat wastewater for reuse in agriculture, cooling, and industry. Public sector goals seek to enhance reuse rates in major cities. This growth creates a need for treatment equipment that is conforming to reuse quality requirements while minimizing energy and maintenance expenditure in water-scarce areas.
• Industrial Compliance and ESG Commitments: Industries are increasingly being asked to achieve stringent wastewater discharge standards under Saudi environmental regulations. Tertiary systems enable facilities to attain superior effluent quality and facilitate environmental, social, and governance compliance. Refining and mining companies incorporate polishing technologies to facilitate reuse and mitigate environmental liability. This driver promotes use of cutting-edge treatment equipment to meet industrial operations against regulatory and sustainability standards.
• Green Infrastructure Development and Tourism: Sustainable tourism development promotes investment in decentralized water treatment. Tertiary technology enables resorts, parks, and recreation areas to achieve green infrastructure by safely reusing treated water. Domestic projects such as Amaala and AlUla incorporate environmental sustainability into design, stimulating demand for low-impact, compact tertiary technology. This driver links eco-tourism objectives to wastewater treatment innovation.
• Foreign Investment and Public-Private Partnerships: Saudi Arabia is using public-private partnerships and foreign direct investment to create modern infrastructure. Tertiary wastewater schemes tend to benefit from international technical assistance and funding. The partnerships allow for the application of international best practices and technology in domestic environments. This makes market access easier for international suppliers of cutting-edge treatment equipment, enhancing competition and technological innovation.
Challenges in the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia are:
• High Installation and Operation Costs: Advanced tertiary systems may demand a lot of capital and energy inputs. Where there is limited funding or low-scale operation, the cost factor is inhibitive. The problem is particularly severe for rural or decentralized applications. Equipment suppliers need to provide energy-saving, cost-minimized solutions with minimal technical management and long-term return on investment.
• Lack of Trained Technical Manpower: Skilled technicians to operate and maintain tertiary treatment facilities are scarce in number in some regions. Staff shortages can lead to poor operation, downtime, or hesitation to deploy new systems. Training courses and streamlined system designs are called for to bridge the operational gap and guarantee constant performance.
• Inbalanced Infrastructure Development Across Regions: While capital cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah enjoy strong infrastructure, secondary towns and rural areas struggle to accommodate cutting-edge wastewater systems. Power supply disparities, land shortages, and limited funding limit deployment. This caps market development unless mobile, expandable treatment technologies are created to operate in infrastructure-difficult environments.
Saudi Arabia‘s tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment industry is fostered by regulatory reform, sustainability objectives, and infrastructure spending. Despite operational and resource constraints that continue to exist, focused government policies and public-private partnerships are facilitating advancement. Overcoming cost, workforce, and accessibility issues will be critical to fully realizing the nation‘s expanding demand for improved and dependable water treatment solutions.
List of Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Companies
Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. Through these strategies, tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment companies cater to increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment companies profiled in this report include:
• Company 1
• Company 2
• Company 3
• Company 4
• Company 5
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia by equipment and application.
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia by Equipment [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Tertiary Clarifier
• Filter
• Chlorination Systems
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia by Application [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Municipal
• Industrial
• Others
Features of the Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia
Market Size Estimates: Tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in Saudi Arabia market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends and forecasts by various segments.
Segmentation Analysis: Tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in Saudi Arabia market size by equipment and application in terms of value ($B).
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different equipment and application for the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in Saudi Arabia.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
If you are looking to expand your business in this or adjacent markets, then contact us. We have done hundreds of strategic consulting projects in market entry, opportunity screening, due diligence, supply chain analysis, M & A, and more.
FAQ
Q1. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are the water scarcity/lack of freshwater resources, the growth in industrial water consumption & discharge, and the increasing government initiatives to provide safe drinking water.
Q2. What are the major segments for tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia?
Answer: The future of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia looks promising with opportunities in the municipal and industrial markets.
Q3. Which tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market segment in Saudi Arabia will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that filter segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to its quality of eliminating any remaining suspended contaminants from the wastewater.
Q4. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% customization without any additional cost.
This report answers following 10 key questions:
Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in Saudi Arabia by equipment (tertiary clarifier, filter, and chlorination systems), and application (municipal, industrial, and others)?
Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
Q.4. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
Q.5. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.6. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.7. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.8. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
Q.9. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
Q.10. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
For any questions related to Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Size, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Growth, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Analysis, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Report, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Share, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Trends, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in Saudi Arabia Forecast, Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Companies, write Lucintel analyst at email: helpdesk@lucintel.com. We will be glad to get back to you soon.