World Water Market to Double by 2015, Study Projects

Since the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the problem of water contaminatios has increased even though investments worldwide are up 30 percent.

Increasing quantity but not quality of water in most countries has been the result of much of this expenditure. Lack of water treatment and sanitation facilities, industrial water pollution and ongoing shortage through climate change are the main reasons.

As a result, bottled water markets reached $25 billion in 2004 and will grow up to $85 billion by 2015, a new study from hkc22.com showed.

The study also states that the worldwide markets for water and wastewater investments and operations reached $312 billion in 2004 and will increase up to $625.7 billion in 2015. Asia is showing the highest growth rate, accounting for $26 billion in 2004. China alone accounted for more than $8 billion and soon will be the world biggest market with more than $25 billion in water and wastewater projects, plus bottled water.

The water markets in Europe and USA have slowed down recently based on the high level of treatment facilities already in service in these areas, the report stated.

Over all, the bottled water segment has shown the greatest increase, up 16% through 2004. The profit in this market is more than 18% in best practice comparison.

Drinking water showed more than 12% growth and a profit of 20% in best practice comparison. The study estimates that prices for drinking water will increase more than five-fold worldwide in the next 15 years because of water shortage and security concerns.

The study also stated that wastewater markets and process water markets depend largely on the development of the economies of developing countries. Growth rates is expected to be between 7% and 9% in the next few years, but the profit will only be 3% to 6% for best practice comparison.

The water desalination and water disinfection segments of the market are showing high growth and profit potentials. But nanotechnology, molecular science and other developing technologies may lead to significant technological changes in the water markets in the future.

Source: Helmut Kaiser Consultancy