Water Disinfection Market - Strategic Insights and Forecasts (2026-2031)

The global water disinfection market is forecast to grow from USD 30.4 billion in 2026 to USD 36.2 billion by 2031, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. This growth is structurally driven by the necessity to mitigate waterborne pathogens amidst rising global urbanization and the deterioration of existing freshwater resources.

Municipal utilities remain the dominant end-user in the global water disinfection market, accounting for over 57% of market revenue in 2025. This dominance is driven by massive capital expenditure for plant expansions and the critical modernization of aging city water networks, anchored by long-cycle municipal infrastructure projects.

The market is experiencing a definitive shift from chemical chlorination to advanced oxidation processes (AOP) and high-output UV systems, including energy-efficient UV-LEDs. These technologies are gaining traction because they offer 50% stronger oxidizing effects and eliminate the risk of toxic residue formation, effectively responding to emerging contaminants resistant to traditional treatments.

Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share and is identified as the fastest-growing region in the global water disinfection market. This rapid expansion is primarily fueled by aggressive infrastructure upgrades and stringent Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) mandates, particularly in major economies like China and India.

Regulatory influences, such as the US EPA’s first-ever national standards for PFAS and the EU’s updated Drinking Water Directive, are compelling a move towards holistic treatment trains where disinfection is integrated with advanced filtration. The 2024 EPA designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances further increases demand for integrated disinfection-filtration systems that can address both microbial and chemical threats simultaneously.

The water disinfection market is moving towards 'Smarter, Safer, and Greener' solutions through the transition to energy-efficient UV-LED systems and the deployment of AI-driven platforms to optimize disinfection intensity. Sustainability transitions are also characterized by the reduction of chemical handling risks and the minimization of the carbon footprint associated with energy-intensive ozonation.