North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Research Report: Forecast (2026-2032)

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Report Key Takeaways:

• The North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market size was valued at around USD 3.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 6.52 billion by 2032. The estimated CAGR from 2026 to 2032 is around 7.82%, indicating strong growth.
• By Technology, the reverse osmosis (RO) represented 37% of the North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market size in 2025.
• By End-User Industry, the municipal segment seized around 46% share of the North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market in 2025.
• By Country, the US leads the North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market with a substantial 84% market share in 2025.
• The leading membrane-based water & wastewater systems companies in North America are Veolia North America, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, Pentair, IDE Technologies, LG Chem, Dow Solutions Water & Process, Hydranautics, Xylem, Alfa Laval, GE Water & Process Technologies, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Toray Industries, Inc., and others.

Market Insights & Analysis: North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market (2026- 2032):

The North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market size was valued at around USD 3.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 6.52 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 7.82% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32. The North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market is projected to grow steadily, propelled by stricter regulatory mandates and infrastructure modernization. Under the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets enforceable standards for more than 90 water contaminants, including heavy metals, microorganisms, and emerging pollutants such as PFAS. Many of these require advanced membrane technologies, reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and ultrafiltration (UF), which are considered the most effective solutions to meet stringent water quality targets.

Federal programs further support the adoption of membrane systems. The EPA’s Septic Systems Demonstration Projects have invested over USD 35 million across 25+ states to showcase decentralized and modular wastewater treatment technologies, including installation and operational training to improve local system performance. In parallel, the EPA’s Decentralized Wastewater Management Partnership, comprising 25 partner organizations, encourages nationwide collaboration to enhance decentralized system management and adoption. (epa.gov

Moreover, continued regulatory tightening, expanded compliance deadlines, and funding programs are expected to drive utilities and industries to invest heavily in membrane-based systems. For instance, Veolia’s Delaware project, where the company announced plans to deploy more than 100 PFAS treatment systems across the U.S. by 2029, leveraging membrane and other advanced filtration technologies. This initiative aims to secure EPA compliance and extend clean water access to approximately 2 million Americans affected by PFAS contamination, demonstrating the market’s ongoing growth potential.

Overall, the combination of regulatory enforcement, decentralized and modular adoption, and large-scale future projects ensures that membrane-based water and wastewater solutions will remain central to North America’s water treatment landscape through 2032, supporting sustainability and expanded water access across diverse communities.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Recent Developments:

• June 2025: Veolia North America inaugurated a USD 35 million PFAS treatment facility in Stanton, Delaware, capable of processing 30 million gallons per day. The system uses advanced filtration (including membrane technologies) to remove regulated “forever chemicals,” supplying safe drinking water for 100,000+ residents and expanding Veolia’s U.S. water treatment footprint.
• October 2025: Toray developed the TLF-400ULD reverse osmosis membrane, designed for industrial wastewater reuse and sewage treatment, offering improved chemical resistance and operational performance expected to boost RO adoption in municipal and industrial reuse projects in North America.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Scope:

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Drivers:

Stringent Water Quality Regulations

Stringent water quality regulations in the United States, especially concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are accelerating demand for membrane-based water and wastewater treatment systems. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first national drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals, assigning enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) such as 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for others like PFHxS and PFNA, under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Public water systems must conduct initial monitoring by 2027 and install treatment technologies if limits are exceeded by 2029.

To support compliance, approximately USD 1 billion in dedicated funding is available through federal programs for states and territories to implement PFAS testing and treatment infrastructure. This includes grants to smaller utilities and private well owners. EPA monitoring indicates that a significant percentage of the 66,000 public water systems in the U.S. may require advanced treatment technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO), nano-filtration (NF), and ultrafiltration (UF), all key membrane solutions, to reduce PFAS to acceptable levels.

Overall, continued EPA enforcement, expanded compliance deadlines, and potential future standards for additional contaminants will drive long-term investments by utilities in membrane upgrades and new plants through the late 2020s and early 2030s. In conclusion, evolving regulations that mandate lower contaminant limits and require the adoption of advanced treatment will sustain strong market growth for membrane-based systems in North America.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Trends:

Shift Toward Decentralized & Modular Treatment Plants

The shift toward decentralized and modular treatment plants is gaining traction in North America as regulators and utilities seek flexible, site-specific solutions where centralized infrastructure is impractical. Under the U.S. EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), decentralized wastewater treatment projects, including installation, upgrades, and replacement of onsite systems, are explicitly eligible for financing, encouraging localized solutions in smaller communities.

Decentralized systems serve communities that lack access to a centralized plant, addressing wastewater on-site or in clustered configurations. The EPA’s Decentralized Wastewater Management Partnership reinforces this trend through a collaborative framework (renewed in 2023) involving 25 organizations and agencies to improve performance and management of decentralized systems nationwide.

Federal investment also supports local infrastructure capacity. For example, in 2025, the EPA announced up to USD 30.7 million in grant funding aimed at assisting small and rural drinking water and wastewater systems, including decentralized operations to improve water quality and compliance capacity.

These programs reduce reliance on large centralized plants by enabling cost-effective, smaller footprint systems that can be deployed more rapidly, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Modular membrane units fit this model by offering scalable treatment tailored to local demand. Over the coming decade, continued EPA funding and partnership initiatives will further embed decentralized and modular plants into North America’s water infrastructure landscape.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Challenges:

High Capital & Operating Costs Impeding Market Growth

High capital and ongoing operating costs remain a significant challenge for the adoption of membrane‑based water and wastewater treatment technologies in North America. Membrane systems such as reverse osmosis (RO) and nano-filtration (NF), commonly used to meet stringent contaminant limits, including PFAS, involve substantial upfront expenditures. According to U.S. EPA cost modeling for PFAS treatment, the membrane elements alone in an RO/NF system can cost tens of thousands of dollars (e.g., USD 50,119 for membrane modules in a 0.5 mgd facility), not including pressure vessels, piping, and support infrastructure.

Energy consumption and membrane maintenance also contribute to operational expenses. RO systems require significant pressure and energy to function effectively; estimates suggest energy costs can be USD 0.05 to USD 0.25 per 1,000 gallons treated, which adds up for facilities processing millions of gallons per day. Additionally, membrane components require periodic replacement and routine maintenance, with replacement parts and labor sometimes totaling USD 15,000 to USD 50,000 annually, depending on system size and usage.

Additionally, typical capital expenses for membrane infrastructure, including equipment, site work, housing, and installation, can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars even for smaller systems, based on EPA cost modeling for packaged ultrafiltration units.

These substantial upfront and recurring costs can strain municipal and industrial budgets, particularly for small and rural utilities with limited financial resources. Consequently, financial constraints remain a significant barrier to wider membrane adoption, slowing implementation despite clear performance advantages.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market (2026-32) Segmentation Analysis:

The North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Report and Forecast 2026-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Based on Technology:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO)
• Ultrafiltration (UF)
• Microfiltration (MF)
• Nanofiltration (NF)
• Others (MBR, Hybrid)

Reverse osmosis (RO) dominates the North America membrane-based water and wastewater systems market, with a substantial market share of around 37%. RO membranes are highly effective in removing dissolved salts, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, making them critical for both drinking water and industrial reuse applications. Their high rejection rates and ability to produce water that meets stringent EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards position RO as the preferred technology for utilities and industrial users alike.

Moreover, RO systems are increasingly used in wastewater recycling, industrial process water treatment, and brackish water desalination, driving consistent demand. The technology’s adaptability to both centralized plants and decentralized modular installations further strengthens its adoption across municipalities, industries, and remote sites, ensuring sustained market growth through the 2020s and into the 2030s.

Based on End User Industry:

• Municipal
• Pulp and Paper
• Chemical
• Food and Beverage
• Healthcare
• Power
• Other End-user Industries

The municipal sector leads the North American industry, representing around 46% market share based on the end-user industry. This dominance is driven by growing urban populations, aging water infrastructure, and federal mandates for water quality compliance. Municipal water utilities are under increasing pressure to meet EPA contaminant limits, including PFAS, lead, and other regulated pollutants, prompting the adoption of advanced membrane-based systems such as RO, NF, and UF. Federal funding programs, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and grants for small and rural utilities, have further enabled municipalities to invest in high-performance membranes.

Additionally, the need for water reuse and wastewater treatment in urban centers, combined with modular and decentralized solutions, reinforces the municipal segment’s leadership, as these systems ensure compliance, reliability, and scalability for public water supply.

North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market (2026-32): Regional Projection

The North America membrane-based water and wastewater systems market is dominated by the United States, accounting for approximately 84% of the regional market. This dominance is driven by the country’s stringent water quality regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), which mandate compliance with over 90 contaminants, including PFAS, lead, and heavy metals. Major urban centers and industrial hubs, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia, have been at the forefront of adopting advanced membrane technologies, including reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and nanofiltration (NF), to meet regulatory standards.

Federal programs, such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), provide substantial funding for upgrading municipal and decentralized systems, further boosting adoption. Industrial sectors, including chemical, food & beverage, and pulp & paper, also drive demand for high-performance membranes to ensure process water quality. Combined regulatory pressure, federal incentives, and industrial adoption sustain the U.S. as the key growth engine in the North American market.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Report

• North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• North America Membrane-Based Water & Wastewater Systems Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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