Practice Area: Water

Water Opportunities in India

The total Indian water market is estimated to be over $4 billion. While the government sector contributes above 50%, the private industrial sector provides the remaining business. The overall market is growing at 10-12% every year. The wastewater treatment market segment is highly fragmented and unorganized. Imports constitute approximately $110 million of the $690 million market for municipal and industrial water treatment equipment.

Treatment & Recycling

A growing population has increased the demand for drinking water, and rapid urbanization has required increasing sewage treatment. Many industries have been forced to adopt water-recycling systems due to the scarcity of water. Growing public concern, media pressure and renewed legislation have left industries with no option but to install water treatment equipment. There is also a mandatory requirement of environmental clearances from pollution control boards at the federal and state government levels. Also, many existing treatment plants would need to be replaced or upgraded to meet with more stringent standards.

Policy & Legislation

India’s National Water Policy allocates water use priorities in the following order: drinking, irrigation, hydroelectric power, ecology, agricultural & non-agricultural industries, navigation and other uses. U.S. companies will likely find the best opportunities in sanitation, urban water supply improvement, and municipal waste treatment. Additional opportunities exist in providing consulting and design services to the Indian water industry.


The bottled water segment has recently established itself as a significant area of growth with a market size of $280 million and growing at 25-30% per year. India Government initiatives may be reviewed at the Ministry of Water Resources site  http://wrmin.nic.in/

Sources: US ITA, Media, Reports