Industry Statistics and Trends
Sewerage in Europe key trends
Strict regulations ensure that sewage service demand remains fairly constant.
The EU Urban Wastewater Directive and other legislation require countries to satisfy certain standards when treating water.
A growing population lifts revenue.
The European population is growing, encouraging the building of homes and demand for sewage services.
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Sewerage in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Sewerage in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €31.9bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Stricter EU regulations on water pollution levels stabilise demand for sewerage services
- The European Sewerage industry’s performance is underpinned by EU legislation, notably the revised Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which imposes stringent compliance requirements and detailed thresholds for treatment quality, monitoring and operational transparency. These mandates ensure sustained and largely inelastic demand, as municipalities and industrial sectors must meet legal standards regardless of economic cycles.
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Sewerage in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
EU funding and regulatory standards are driving expansion and modernisation in the European sewerage industry
- The European sewerage industry is experiencing sustained growth due to significant investment flows from the EU’s Cohesion Fund, which prioritises closing infrastructure gaps across less developed regions. This funding directly supports the extension and modernisation of sewer systems, which are critical for environmental compliance and public health protection.
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Revenue
€31.9bn
Employees
261k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Sewerage in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Veolia Environnement SA | 45,421.9 | 2,828.2 | 6.2 | |
Thames Water Utilities Ltd | 3,206.9 | 660.6 | 20.6 | |
United Utilities Group plc | 2,855.2 | 713.8 | 25.0 |
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Sewerage in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Sewerage industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Sewerage industry in Europe is €31.9bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Sewerage industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 20,541 businesses in the Sewerage industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Sewerage industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sewerage industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 4.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Sewerage industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sewerage industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Sewerage industry in Europe include?
Foul-water drainage and Surface water drainage are part of the Sewerage industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Sewerage industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Sewerage industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Sewerage industry in Europe?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Sewerage industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Sewerage in Greece
- Sewerage in Romania
- Sewerage in the UK
- Sewerage in Norway
- Sewerage in Germany
- Sewerage in Estonia
- Sewerage in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Sewerage in Iceland
- Sewerage in Europe
- Sewerage in Austria
- Sewerage in France
- Sewerage in the Netherlands
- Sewerage in Belgium
- Sewerage in Cyprus
- Sewerage in Lithuania
- Sewerage in Finland
- Sewerage in North Macedonia
- Sewerage in Bulgaria
- Sewerage in Luxembourg
- Sewerage in Russia
- Sewerage in Italy
- Sewerage in Sweden
- Sewerage in Poland
- Sewerage in Slovakia
- Sewerage in Latvia
- Sewerage in Croatia
- Sewerage in Slovenia
- Sewerage in the UK
- Sewerage in Germany
- Sewerage in Spain
- Sewerage in Portugal
- Sewerage in Hungary
- Sewerage in Switzerland
- Sewerage in Czechia
- Sewerage in Serbia
- Sewerage in Denmark
- Sewerage in Turkey
- Sewerage in Ireland
- Sewerage in Malta
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The sewerage industry in Europe encompasses the operation and maintenance of sewer systems and treatment facilities. It includes the collection, transport and treatment of human and industrial wastewater, rainwater and waste from cesspools and septic tanks. The industry also covers the cleaning of sewers, drains, and chemical toilets, utilising physical, chemical, and biological processes for wastewater management.
Related Terms
SewageSewerageWastewater TreatmentWhat's included in this industry?
Foul-water drainageSurface water drainageRoad drainageCompanies
Veolia Environnement SAThames Water Utilities LtdUnited Utilities Group plcIndustry Code
37 - Sewerage in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Stricter EU regulations on water pollution levels stabilise demand for sewerage services
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Sewerage in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Sewerage in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Sewerage in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Sewerage in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Sewerage in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Sewerage in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Sewerage in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Sewerage in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
New technologies, like smart meters, reduce household water consumption. Water-saving appliances are reducing how much water households use, lowering demand for sewage operators.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Sewerage in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Sewerage in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Sewerage in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
There are geographical constraints for waste disposal networks. Sewage operators tend to run the sewer and sewerage network in their region and are usually the only providers there. These are often owner-operators or cooperative associations.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Veolia Environnement SA
- Countries of operation for Thames Water Utilities Ltd
- Countries of operation for United Utilities Group plc
- Countries of operation for Anglian Water Services Ltd
- Countries of operation for Suez SA
- Countries of operation for Hera SpA
- Countries of operation for Waternet NV
- Countries of operation for Emschergenossenschaft
- Countries of operation for Berliner Stadtreinigungsbetriebe
- Countries of operation for Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
There are strict regulations for sewage operators to adhere to. The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive is a key legislation that sets standards for the treatment of urban wastewater. The Water Framework Directive also sets standards for the sustainable use of water resources.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Sewerage in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Plant upgrades drive rising depreciation and purchase costs, hitting profit. In 2025, significant capital expenditure on modernising ageing networks and expanding capacity is expected to raise depreciation and purchase costs, squeezing profit.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Sewerage in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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