Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment in United States Trends and Forecast
The future of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States 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 United States 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 United States
The United States is transforming wastewater treatment to address aging infrastructure, water stress, and stricter environmental standards. Federal initiatives, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are enabling upgrades to tertiary systems that improve nutrient removal, support water reuse, and meet new effluent discharge limits. The country is also embracing decentralized solutions and digitalization for optimized system performance. These trends are reshaping the market by driving the adoption of energy-efficient, resilient, and customizable tertiary treatment equipment across municipal and industrial sectors.
• AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance for Tertiary Systems: Advanced AI and machine learning platforms are now being integrated into tertiary systems to enable predictive maintenance and performance optimization. These solutions analyze historical and real-time data to forecast failures and suggest corrective actions. Utilities and private operators are reducing operational costs and downtime while enhancing compliance. This digital transformation is being driven by labor shortages and the need for reliable and responsive infrastructure management across diverse treatment environments.
• Tertiary Polishing for PFAS Contaminant Removal: The growing concern over per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water supplies has prompted utilities to adopt polishing technologies like activated carbon and ion exchange. These tertiary-stage treatments are crucial for eliminating PFAS from effluents and ensuring safe discharge or reuse. Adoption is increasing in regions with high regulatory pressure such as California and Michigan. This trend supports public health protection and aligns with emerging EPA guidelines for PFAS limits in wastewater.
• Wastewater Heat Recovery Integration: Utilities and commercial buildings are beginning to incorporate heat recovery systems within tertiary treatment setups. By capturing residual thermal energy from treated effluent, facilities are using this energy for heating, thereby reducing operational costs and emissions. This innovative trend, evident in cities like Seattle and Denver, contributes to decarbonization and enhances the sustainability of water infrastructure, particularly in cold climate zones.
• Expansion of Tertiary Reuse for Industrial Parks: Industrial clusters across the Midwest and Southwest are implementing tertiary systems to reclaim treated water for cooling, processing, and boiler applications. Membrane filtration and ozone-based disinfection units are increasingly deployed to meet industrial quality standards. This reuse initiative is helping industries cut water withdrawal and secure operations amid rising water scarcity and regulatory risks. The shift also fosters greater resilience and cost savings for large-scale manufacturing zones.
• Bioelectrochemical Tertiary Systems for Energy Recovery: Emerging research and pilot projects are focusing on bioelectrochemical tertiary systems that treat wastewater while generating small amounts of electricity. These systems utilize microbial fuel cells to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD) and produce clean effluent. Currently being tested in university labs and research parks, this innovation holds potential for decentralized and low-energy treatment in rural or off-grid communities, offering a futuristic outlook for energy-positive wastewater management.
The U.S. tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market is advancing through digitalization, resource recovery, and emerging contaminant control. These trends are promoting operational resilience, sustainability, and compliance while encouraging water reuse across sectors. From AI to heat reuse and PFAS mitigation, the U.S. is paving the way for more intelligent, integrated, and circular wastewater solutions that address both environmental and economic challenges.
Recent Developments in the Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States
The United States is experiencing renewed investment in tertiary wastewater systems driven by federal infrastructure funding, drought preparedness, and updated environmental mandates. Recent developments focus on pollution control, energy efficiency, and water reuse. With broad support from utilities, municipalities, and private industry, these initiatives are catalyzing innovation in treatment design and deployment. Upgraded tertiary equipment is now being installed to meet new effluent requirements, support industrial growth, and ensure public health.
• EPA Nutrient Reduction Framework Rollout: The U.S. EPA has launched a comprehensive nutrient reduction framework targeting nitrogen and phosphorus discharges from municipal and industrial facilities. As a result, utilities in the Chesapeake Bay, Mississippi River Basin, and Great Lakes regions are adopting tertiary treatment upgrades, including chemical precipitation and advanced filtration. These efforts aim to improve watershed health and mitigate algal blooms, driving demand for nutrient-focused tertiary equipment.
• Federal Infrastructure Bill Funding for Small Communities: Funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has enabled small and underserved communities to install tertiary systems for the first time. Compact units like packaged MBRs and tertiary filters are being deployed in rural towns across Appalachia and the Southwest. These systems improve effluent quality, meet new permit limits, and offer affordable long-term operation, thereby expanding market access for equipment providers in decentralized treatment solutions.
• Los Angeles Wastewater-to-Drinking Water Initiative: Los Angeles has initiated a large-scale advanced purification program that includes tertiary treatment with ozone, UV, and ultrafiltration. This project supports the city‘s goal to recycle 100% of its wastewater by 2035. The initiative significantly increases tertiary equipment demand, particularly for high-throughput, reuse-compliant systems. It also sets a benchmark for urban water reuse infrastructure across the country.
• Zero-Energy WWTP Pilot in Oregon: A zero-energy wastewater treatment plant pilot in Oregon integrates energy-efficient tertiary treatment with anaerobic digestion and solar power. Tertiary systems in this plant include biological polishing and UV disinfection, optimized for low-energy consumption. This project demonstrates the feasibility of climate-friendly treatment plants, influencing other regions seeking sustainable water infrastructure development.
• Private Sector Investments in Industrial Reuse: Major beverage and tech companies are investing in tertiary treatment at their U.S. manufacturing facilities to reduce freshwater consumption and improve ESG scores. Projects in Texas, Georgia, and Arizona now feature closed-loop water systems with tertiary filtration and disinfection stages. This development reflects growing private-sector demand for onsite water recycling systems that combine performance with environmental stewardship.
Recent U.S. developments underscore the rapid evolution of tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment through federal support, urban innovation, and private investment. These initiatives are improving effluent quality, expanding water reuse, and enhancing energy efficiency. As policy, funding, and climate pressures converge, tertiary equipment providers have growing opportunities to support sustainable and future-ready wastewater solutions nationwide.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States
The United States is witnessing increased focus on advanced wastewater treatment as population growth, climate variability, and regulatory reforms put pressure on existing water infrastructure. Tertiary systems are being adopted across municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors to support water reuse, nutrient control, and sustainable discharge. Growth is especially evident in regions facing water scarcity, federal funding boosts, and ESG-driven industrial modernization. Equipment providers can leverage this shift by aligning offerings with emerging priorities in water reuse, compliance, and digital transformation.
• Municipal Reuse for Water-scarce Regions: In drought-prone states such as California, Arizona, and Texas, municipalities are advancing potable and non-potable reuse projects. Tertiary treatment systems, including membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, and UV disinfection, are central to producing high-quality reclaimed water. These projects are supported by both state incentives and federal infrastructure programs. System providers offering high-throughput, modular solutions with proven regulatory compliance gain strong market traction as water reuse becomes essential to regional water security and urban resilience efforts.
• Nutrient Removal for Watershed Protection: Excess nitrogen and phosphorus discharge into rivers and lakes drives harmful algal blooms and ecological degradation. Federal and state environmental agencies are enforcing nutrient caps through permits and total maximum daily load programs. Utilities and industries are upgrading with tertiary filtration, denitrification filters, and chemical dosing units. The Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes regions show particularly strong retrofit demand. Technology providers with scalable and energy-efficient systems supporting nutrient removal will benefit from this compliance-focused opportunity.
• Industrial Zero Liquid Discharge and Reuse: Industrial operators are investing in water loop closure to meet corporate sustainability goals and address rising freshwater costs. Tertiary equipment enables the reuse of process water and supports zero liquid discharge ambitions. Industries like semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, and food processing are early adopters. Membrane filtration, polishing filters, and ion exchange systems are key technologies. Suppliers offering application-specific, pre-assembled tertiary systems with low energy demand and automated controls are likely to expand in this ESG-driven segment.
• Agricultural Water Recovery for Irrigation: Wastewater reuse for agricultural irrigation is expanding in the western United States where water scarcity impacts food production. Tertiary systems ensure water is pathogen-free and nutrient-balanced for crops. Filtration and disinfection solutions are increasingly being installed in treatment plants near farming zones. Government grants and public-private pilot projects are enabling broader adoption. There is growing demand for mobile and containerized systems that offer low operating costs and rapid deployment for seasonal and permanent agricultural needs.
• Smart Water Infrastructure for Federal Investment Programs: Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and state revolving funds, significant capital is being allocated to modernize water systems. Projects integrating advanced treatment with smart monitoring and automation are prioritized. Tertiary systems equipped with sensors, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance tools align with these goals. Digital-ready systems offer compliance transparency and operational efficiency. Vendors integrating hardware with analytics platforms are well positioned to support utility digital transformation and secure public infrastructure contracts.
The United States market for tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment is expanding through municipal reuse, industrial sustainability, nutrient regulation, and digital infrastructure development. Vendors offering compliant, modular, and intelligent systems benefit from multiple policy and market tailwinds. These opportunities create strong momentum for advanced treatment technologies across diverse applications.
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States Driver and Challenges
The United States market is shaped by a mix of environmental mandates, industrial ESG goals, and infrastructure funding programs. Federal and state-level reforms aim to improve water quality, promote reuse, and encourage climate resilience. At the same time, budget restrictions, aging infrastructure, and skill gaps challenge widespread adoption. Companies must navigate this complex landscape to align offerings with funding, compliance, and operational needs across varied regions and industries.
The factors responsible for driving the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States include:
• Tightening Nutrient Discharge Regulations: Environmental Protection Agency enforcement on nitrogen and phosphorus is intensifying. Utilities across major watersheds are required to meet strict discharge limits under updated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits. This is driving the adoption of tertiary polishing systems. Vendors that deliver reliable nutrient removal with low operational complexity and reduced sludge generation are in demand. These investments support ecological restoration while opening sustained equipment replacement and retrofit opportunities in municipal segments.
• Federal Infrastructure Investment Boost: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated over 50 billion dollars for water infrastructure, including funds targeted at advanced treatment and reuse. This public investment fuels tertiary system deployment across municipalities, utilities, and underserved communities. The emphasis on climate resilience and environmental equity accelerates project approvals. Manufacturers that align products with grant and loan funding criteria benefit from broader procurement access and long-term demand in modernizing the national water network.
• Corporate ESG and Water Stewardship Commitments: Companies are committing to net-zero and water-positive goals as part of their ESG frameworks. Tertiary treatment allows internal recycling and improved discharge quality. Sectors like electronics, beverages, and pharmaceuticals lead in adopting reuse infrastructure. Tertiary solutions supporting water footprint reduction, resource recovery, and emissions management enable firms to meet sustainability metrics. Vendors that offer end-to-end reuse systems with reporting and compliance tracking gain traction with sustainability-focused customers.
• Climate-driven Demand for Reuse and Resilience: Climate change is increasing water stress, particularly in the southwest and midwest United States. Reuse infrastructure helps secure urban and agricultural water supplies. Tertiary treatment is a core component in these water management strategies. Cities are also deploying advanced treatment to control overflows during storm events. Providers offering flood-resilient, decentralized, or mobile tertiary systems can tap into climate funding and regional adaptation programs focused on long-term water resilience.
• Smart Systems Integration and Automation Adoption: Utilities and industries are digitizing operations to reduce costs and improve performance. Tertiary systems that include IoT-enabled components, remote diagnostics, and automated control are gaining preference. This trend supports predictive maintenance, remote compliance reporting, and adaptive process optimization. Vendors offering plug-and-play systems integrated with analytics dashboards benefit from digital infrastructure mandates under national smart water initiatives. These systems also help utilities mitigate workforce shortages and reduce downtime.
Challenges in the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States are:
• Capital Investment Gaps in Small Utilities: Smaller and rural utilities often lack the financial capacity and technical support to implement tertiary upgrades. This slows adoption, especially for technologies perceived as complex or costly. Vendors can address this by offering low-maintenance, prefabricated systems that reduce onsite work. Leveraging federal rural assistance and utility consortiums helps penetrate this segment. Partnerships with engineering firms and mobile treatment providers can bridge gaps in capability and affordability.
• Workforce Limitations and Operational Complexity: Operating tertiary systems requires specialized skills in process control, chemistry, and automation. The aging workforce and limited new entrants in the water sector affect installation and long-term operation. Vendors must simplify interface design and support training. Automation, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance can reduce reliance on manual oversight. Suppliers that provide hands-on commissioning, operations support, and remote troubleshooting become preferred partners for both public and private end users.
• Regulatory Variation Across States: Environmental regulations and permitting processes vary widely by state and utility. This creates inconsistency in demand timing, approval requirements, and treatment goals. Vendors must tailor strategies to local policies, funding timelines, and political climates. Strong regional sales and service networks are essential. Collaboration with local engineering firms and policy stakeholders ensures product relevance and smoother market entry. Long-term success depends on adaptability to fragmented regulatory frameworks.
The United States tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market is advancing through regulation, sustainability mandates, and infrastructure funding. While capital limitations and regulatory complexity pose hurdles, strong drivers such as reuse policy, digitalization, and ESG alignment create compelling momentum. Vendors who deliver efficient, compliant, and automated systems tailored to regional needs are well positioned to lead in this dynamic and evolving landscape.
List of Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States 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 United States by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States by equipment and application.
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States by Equipment [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Tertiary Clarifier
• Filter
• Chlorination Systems
Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States by Application [Analysis by Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Municipal
• Industrial
• Others
Features of the Tertiary Water & Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market in United States
Market Size Estimates: Tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in United States market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends and forecasts by various segments.
Segmentation Analysis: Tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in United States market size by equipment and application in terms of value ($B).
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different equipment and application for the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in United States.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment in United States.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
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FAQ
Q1. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States?
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 United States?
Answer: The future of the tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market in United States looks promising with opportunities in the municipal and industrial markets.
Q3. Which tertiary water & wastewater treatment equipment market segment in United States 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 United States 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?
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