The total volume of water on the planet is approximately 1.4 billion cubic kilometers, but roughly 97.5% of that is saltwater. Of the remaining 2.5%, nearly 70% (approximately 24.5 million cubic kilometers) is trapped in ice, whereas approximately 30% (approximately 10.5 million cubic kilometers) is groundwater, and only 0.3% (approximately 105,000 cubic kilometers) is freshwater contained in lakes and rivers (UN Water, 2012).

1. ASIAN AND AUSTRALIAN REGION SHOWS FASTEST WASTEWATER
RECYCLING AND REUSE GROWTH AT 22.8%
Wellesley, Mass. – The total volume of water on the planet is approximately 1.4 billion cubic
kilometers, but roughly 97.5% of that is saltwater. Of the remaining 2.5%, nearly 70%
(approximately 24.5 million cubic kilometers) is trapped in ice, whereas approximately 30%
(approximately 10.5 million cubic kilometers) is groundwater, and only 0.3% (approximately
105,000 cubic kilometers) is freshwater contained in lakes and rivers (UN Water, 2012). Well
under 1% of the world’s total freshwater, including water from lakes, rivers, and groundwater
aquifers, is usable in a renewable fashion (Pacific Institute, 2012).
Global markets for wastewater-recycling and reuse technologies during the period from 2009 to
2012 increased from nearly $6.7 billion to $9.5 billion, equivalent to a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of 12.6%. From 2012 through 2017, global recycling markets are expected to
expand more rapidly as global economies continue to recover from the global turndown. Global
markets are expected to increase from $9.5 billion in 2012 to $23.4 billion in 2017, reflecting a
five-year CAGR of 19.7%.
Regionally, the Asian and Australian market will remain as the leader in the global wastewater-
recycling and reuse market. Taken together, Asia and Australia will account for 49% of the
global market in 2017, up from 43% in 2012. The total Asian and Australian market will
advance during that period from $4.1 billion to $11.4 billion, equivalent to a CAGR of 22.8%.
North America maintains the second-largest global market for wastewater recycling. Led by
select regions within the United States, the North American market is expected to increase from
nearly $3.2 billion in 2012 to nearly $6.7 billion in 2017, equivalent to a CAGR of 16.1%.
The Middle Eastern market, which has on average the highest level of water stress in the world,
is also expected to grow rapidly. Market values will increase from nearly $1.8 billion in 2012 to
$4.2 billion in 2017, equivalent to a CAGR of 19%. Finally, Europe will represent only 5% of
the global market in 2017, but the region is still expected to show strong growth, with regional
markets increasing from $475 million in 2012 to nearly $1.1 billion in 2017, equivalent to a
CAGR of 17.6%.
Global Markets and Technologies for Water Recycling and Reuse (MST051B) will help its
readers:
• Summarize existing wastewater-recycling and reuse technologies and promising
technologies under development
• Evaluate the existing wastewater-recycling and reuse industry, with a focus on producers
of each major viable technology
• Assess market potential for wastewater recycling and reuse over a five-year period from
2012 through 2017
• Provide regional market breakdowns with select sub-regional breakdowns for countries
with promising wastewater-recycling industries, as well as market demand.