Towards Healthcare
U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market to Reach USD 17.04 Bn by 2034

U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market Trends Highlight WFI Dominance

Market insights predict, the U.S. pharmaceutical water industry is expected to grow from USD 7.11 billion in 2024 to USD 17.04 billion by 2034, driven by a CAGR of 8.94%. Rising demand for injectable drugs, vaccines, biologics, and biosimilars, which require ultra-pure water like Water for Injection(WFI), has driven the growth of the market.

Category: Pharmaceuticals Insight Code: 6238 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

The U.S. pharmaceutical water market size recorded US$ 7.11 billion in 2024, set to grow to US$ 7.75 billion in 2025 and projected to hit nearly US$ 17.04 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 8.94% throughout the forecast timeline.

U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market Size 2024 to 2034

The U.S. pharmaceutical water market is growing due to rising demand for high-purity water in drug manufacturing, biologics, and injectable therapies. Stringent regulatory standards, advanced purification technologies, and the expansion of biopharmaceutical and contract manufacturing sectors are key drivers, ensuring compliance, safety, and innovation in pharmaceutical production.

Key Takeaways

  • U.S. pharmaceutical water industry poised to reach USD 7.11 billion by 2024.
  • Forecasted to grow to USD 17.04 billion by 2034.
  • Expected to maintain a CAGR of 8.94% from 2025 to 2034.
  • Northeast/Mid-Atlantic held a major revenue share of approximately 55–60% in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market in 2024.
  • Southeast & Midwest are expected to witness the fastest growth during the predicted timeframe.
  • The global pharmaceutical water market, valued at $38.7 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $107.15 billion by 2034, growing at an annual rate of 9.25%.
  • By water type/product type, the water for injection (WFI) segment registered its dominance over the U.S. market with a share of approximately 79% in 2024.
  • By water type/product type, the highly purified water (HPW)/HPLC grade water segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the market during the studied years.
  • By application/end use, the drug substance & drug product manufacturing segment held the largest revenue share of approximately 58% in the market in 2024.
  • By application/end use, the aseptic fill/finished pack segment is expected to show the fastest growth over the forecast period.
  • By technology/generation & treatment platform, the Reverse Osmosis (RO) + EDI segment held a dominant presence in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market with a share in 2024.
  • By technology/generation & treatment platform, the continuous monitoring & automation/PAT sensors segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the market over the forecast period.
  • By end user/buyer type, the pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment contributed the biggest revenue share of approximately 58% in the market in 2024.
  • By end user/ buyer type, the contract development & manufacturing organizations (CDMOs/CMOs) segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
  • By solution/business model, the on-site water generation & system sales segment accounted for a maximum revenue share of 34.6% in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market in 2024.
  • By solution/ business model, the water-as-a-service/packaged sterile water segment is expected to expand rapidly in the market in the coming years.

Quick Facts Table

Table Scope
Market Size in 2025 USD 7.75 Billion
Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 17.04 Billion
CAGR (2025 - 2034) 8.94%
Market Segmentation By Water Type / Product Type, By Application / End Use, By Technology / Generation & Treatment Platform, By End User / Buyer Type, By Solution / Business Model, By Region
Top Key Players Evoqua Water Technologies, Pall / Danaher, Merck Millipore (MilliporeSigma), GE Water / SUEZ WTS, Veolia / Suez, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Parker Hannifin, Grundfos, SPX Flow (APV, WFI/distillation), Dow (membranes), Ecolab, NEM (regional system integrators), Pall Corporation (filters & sterilization), Watson-Marlow / Xylem, STERIS / Cantel, Hach (monitoring instruments), Endress+Hauser (sensors), APT Water Services (validation consultancies), CDMO-focused integrators (e.g., G-CON-like firms), Large CDMOs & pharma OEMs influencing system designs

What is meant by the Pharmaceutical Water?

U.S. pharmaceutical water market expansion is fueled by the growing demand for high-purity water, stringent regulatory standards, and an increase in the sterile injectables and biologics sectors. The market covers systems, equipment, consumables, services, and software used to generate, purify, distribute, monitor, and validate water that meets pharmaceutical/USP standards (Purified Water, Water for Injection (WFI), HPLC/ULC grade water, Highly Purified Water, etc.).

Pharmaceutical water is specially purified water used in drug manufacturing and research, meeting strict pharmacopeial standards for purity, sterility, and safety, essential for formulations, injections, cleaning, and quality assurance processes.

Adoption of Inorganic Growth Strategies

Adoption of inorganic growth strategies, such as acquisitions and strategic partnerships, enables companies to expand manufacturing capabilities and product portfolios, thereby increasing demand for high-purity pharmaceutical water systems to support biologics, vaccines, and injectable drug production.

In 2025, Cipla’s acquisition of InvaGen Pharmaceuticals expanded its U.S. manufacturing, increasing demand for high-purity Water for Injection (WFI) to support biologics and injectable drug production.

Investment and Funding

Investment and funding in advanced purification technologies, facility expansion, and R&D enable pharmaceutical manufacturers to meet stringent water quality standards, enhance production capacity for biologics and injectables, and adopt innovative water treatment systems, thereby driving growth in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market.

In 2025, strategic investments and funding significantly influenced the market. For instance, Eli Lilly announced a US$6.5 billion investment to construct a state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility in Houston, Texas. This facility, aimed at producing the experimental weight-loss pill orforglipron, underscores the increasing demand for high-purity water systems essential for the production of biologics and injectable drugs.

How Can AI Improve the U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market?

AI integration can significantly enhance the market by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimization in water purification systems. Machine learning algorithms analyze sensor data to detect anomalies, prevent contamination, and ensure consistent compliance with regulatory standards. AI-driven automation reduces human error, increases operational efficiency, and optimizes energy and water usage. Additionally, intelligent analytics support faster validation and reporting, enhancing production reliability for biologics, vaccines, and injectables, ultimately driving market growth through improved quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Market Dynamics

Driver

Technological advancements and innovations in purification technologies, including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, electrode‑deionization, and UV sterilization, enhance water quality, reliability, and operational efficiency. These improvements support stringent regulatory compliance, enable high-purity water production for biologics and injectables, and drive growth in the market.

Restraint

Energy-Intensive Processes

The key players operating in the market are facing issues due to energy-intensive processes and technology limitations. Water purification and WFI production often consume high energy, increasing operational costs.

Opportunity

Sustainability initiatives are pivotal in advancing the U.S. pharmaceutical water market by promoting efficient water use, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

For instance,

  • In 2025, Sanofi received the ISPE Facility of the Year Award for Social Impact Sustainability Excellence for its wastewater treatment and reuse project in Toronto, Canada. This initiative exemplifies how implementing advanced water recycling technologies can minimize water consumption and effluent discharge, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Segmental Insights

Which Water Type/Product Type Segment Dominated the U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market?

The Water for Injection (WFI) dominated the market, with a revenue of approximately 79% due to its critical role in sterile injectable and biologic drug production. Its stringent purity, endotoxin-free quality, and compliance with FDA and USP standards make it essential for safe pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The highly purified water (HPW)/HPLC grade water segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to rising demand for analytical testing, laboratory applications, and biologics production, requiring ultra-pure, contaminant-free water that meets stringent regulatory standards.

Why Did the Drug Substance & Drug Product Manufacturing Segment Dominate the Market?

The drug substance & drug product manufacturing segment dominates the U.S. pharmaceutical water market, with a revenue share of approximately 58% due to its critical need for high-purity water in formulation, sterilization, and cleaning processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining product safety and efficacy.

The aseptic fill/finished pack segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to rising demand for sterile injectables, biologics, and vaccines. This process requires ultra-pure Water for Injection (WFI) to maintain sterility, product safety, and regulatory compliance, driving its rapid adoption across manufacturing facilities.

How the Reverse Osmosis (RO) + EDI Segment Dominated the Market?

The reverse osmosis (RO) + EDI segment dominates the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to its ability to consistently produce ultra-pure water, efficiently remove impurities, and meet stringent regulatory standards for biologics, injectables, and sterile drug production.

The continuous monitoring & automation/PAT sensors segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market, as it enables real-time quality assurance, early detection of deviations, and strict compliance with FDA standards. By minimizing human error and enhancing operational efficiency, these sensors support reliable and cost-effective pharmaceutical water management.

What Made Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies the Dominant Segment in the Market?

The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies segment dominated the U.S. pharmaceutical water market in 2024, with a revenue of approximately 58% due to their extensive reliance on high-purity water for drug formulation, biologics production, and sterile injectable manufacturing. Stringent regulatory compliance, advanced R&D activities, and the need for reliable purification systems further drive their leading role in market demand.

The contract development & manufacturing organizations (CDMOs/CMOs) segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to increasing outsourcing of drug development and production. Their focus on biologics, vaccines, and sterile injectables requires stringent water quality standards. To meet FDA and USP regulations while serving diverse clients, CDMOs invest in scalable, flexible, and advanced purification systems.

Which Solution / Business Model Segment Led the U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market?

The on-site water generation & system sales segment dominates the market, with a revenue of approximately 82% because it ensures continuous access to high-purity water, critical for drug formulation, biologics, and injectables. On-site systems reduce reliance on external supply, enhance control over water quality, and support compliance with FDA and USP standards. Additionally, they enable cost savings, operational efficiency, and scalability, making them the preferred choice for pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers across the country.

The water-as-a-service/packaged sterile water segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing in the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to rising demand for outsourced, ready-to-use high-purity water solutions. It offers flexibility, reduces infrastructure investment, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports small-scale or emerging pharmaceutical and biotech companies in producing biologics, vaccines, and injectables efficiently and cost-effectively.

Regional Analysis

Which Factors Contribute to North America’s Dominance in the Market?

The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region dominates the U.S. pharmaceutical water market, with a revenue of approximately 55-60% due to its dense concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and strong regulatory oversight. Its robust R&D ecosystem and high adoption of purified water systems for biologics, injectables, and sterile drug production drive consistent demand and market leadership.

How Opportunistic is the Growth of the Southeast and Midwest Regions in the Market?

The Southeast & Midwest regions of the U.S. are the fastest-growing in the pharmaceutical water market due to the expansion of pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing facilities, favorable business and regulatory environments, and increasing investments in biologics and injectable production. Adoption of advanced water purification systems and on-site generation technologies further drives growth in these emerging hubs.

Global Pharmaceutical Water Market Growth

The global pharmaceutical water market was valued at around $38.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $107.15 billion by 2034, growing steadily at an annual rate of 9.25% between 2024 and 2034.

Pharmaceutical Water Market Revenue 2023 - 2034

Value Chain Analysis

R&D

Research & Development: Focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing water purification and treatment technologies for pharmaceutical applications.

Key Activities: Innovation in Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultrafiltration (UF), Electrodeionization (EDI), UV sterilization, Water-for-Injection (WFI) generation, and monitoring systems.

Organizations:

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific – Advanced water purification solutions for labs and manufacturing.
  • Eli Lilly – Internal R&D for biopharmaceutical-grade water systems.
  • MilliporeSigma (Merck) – Development of high-purity water technologies for injectables and biologics.

Clinical Trial & Approval

Clinical Trial / Validation: Purified water systems must meet FDA and USP standards before use in drug production.

Key Activities:

  • System validation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
  • Water quality testing for endotoxins, microbial limits, and chemical purity.
  • Compliance documentation for regulatory submission.

Organizations:

  • FDA (Food and Drug Administration) – Approves water systems for pharmaceutical use.
  • USP (United States Pharmacopeia) – Sets standards for WFI and HPW quality.
  • Contract Validation Services – Companies like BioPharma Services assist with testing and validation.

Patient Service & Support

Service & Support: Ensures consistent supply of high-purity water for drug production, maintenance of purification systems, and technical assistance.

Key Activities:

  • System monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote support.
  • Training and compliance support for pharma manufacturers.
  • Troubleshooting and upgrades to meet changing regulatory requirements.

Organizations:

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific – Offers technical support and on-site service for water systems.
  • GE Healthcare Life Sciences – Provides maintenance, validation, and customer training.
  • CDMOs – Support multiple clients with system management and compliance adherence.

Top Companies in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market

  • Evoqua Water Technologies
  • Pall / Danaher
  • Merck Millipore (MilliporeSigma)
  • GE Water / SUEZ WTS
  • Veolia / Suez
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Parker Hannifin
  • Grundfos
  • SPX Flow (APV, WFI/distillation)
  • Dow (membranes)
  • Ecolab
  • NEM (regional system integrators)
  • Pall Corporation (filters & sterilization)
  • Watson-Marlow / Xylem
  • STERIS / Cantel
  • Hach (monitoring instruments)
  • Endress+Hauser (sensors)
  • APT Water Services (validation consultancies)
  • CDMO-focused integrators (e.g., G-CON-like firms)
  • Large CDMOs & pharma OEMs influencing system designs

Latest Announcement by Industry Leaders

In May 2025, Anne Le Guennec, Senior Executive Vice President, Worldwide Water Technologies, stated that Veolia acquired the remaining 30% stake in Water Technologies & Solutions from CDPQ for US$1.75 billion, achieving full ownership. This strategic move is expected to yield €90 million ($102.3 million) in cost synergies by 2027.  Veolia secured US$750 million in new contracts, including a $550 million deal with a major microelectronics plant in the U.S. Midwest, reflecting its expansion in the energy and semiconductor sectors.

Recent Development in the U.S. Pharmaceutical Water Market

  • In September 2025, MilliporeSigma, a leading life science company, announced the opening of a climate-neutral manufacturing facility in the United States. Set to commence production in the fourth quarter of 2025, the facility will produce filtration devices essential for aseptic processing, tangential-flow filtration, and virus filtration. These technologies are critical in ensuring the purity and safety of pharmaceutical products, including vaccines and therapeutics.
  • In June 2025, Aquatech purchased Century Water, a pioneer in ultrapure water based in Singapore process water and wastewater recycling solutions with an emphasis on advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors domains.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Water Type / Product Type

  • Water for Injection (WFI)
  • Purified Water (PW)
  • Highly Purified Water (HPW) / HPLC grade water
  • Sterile Water for Injection (packaged)/finished water products
  • Specialty Analytical Waters & Reagent Water

By Application / End Use

  • Drug Substance & Drug Product Manufacturing
  • Cleaning & CIP operations
  • Analytical & QC (HPLC, reagents)
  • Lab & R&D use
  • Aseptic Fill/Finished Pack
  • Other (device manufacturing, diagnostics)

By Technology / Generation & Treatment Platform

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) + EDI
  • Distillation
  • Ultrafiltration / Nanofiltration & UV / Ozone disinfection
  • Continuous monitoring & automation / PAT sensors
  • Cartridge filters, sterile filters & single-use assemblies
  • Packaged/WFI supply & validation services

By End User / Buyer Type

  • Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies
  • Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs / CMOs)
  • Research & Academic Labs
  • CROs and Analytical Service Providers
  • Diagnostics & Device Manufacturers
  • Packaged sterile water suppliers

By Solution / Business Model

  • On-site water generation & system sales
  • Water-as-a-Service / Packaged sterile water

By Region

  • Northeast / Mid-Atlantic
  • Southeast & Midwest

Tags

  • Last Updated: 30 September 2025
  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Rohan Patil is a seasoned market research professional with over 5+ years of focused experience in the healthcare sector, bringing deep domain expertise, strategic foresight, and analytical precision to every project he undertakes.

Learn more about Rohan Patil

Aditi Shivarkar is a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in healthcare market research. As a content reviewer, Aditi plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and accuracy of all market insights and data presented by the research team.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

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FAQ's

The U.S. pharmaceutical water market is valued at USD 7.75 billion in 2025 and is on track to reach USD 17.04 billion by 2034, witnessing a steady CAGR of 8.94% during the forecast span.

Northeast / Mid-Atlantic is leading the U.S. pharmaceutical water market due to the growing research & development activities, increasing demand for biologics, and the presence of key players.

The U.S. pharmaceutical water market includes six segments including by water type/product type, by application/end use, by technology/generation & treatment platform, by end user/buyer type, by solution/business model, and by region.

Key trends include the rising adoption of inorganic growth strategies and investment & funding activities.

American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Food and Drug Administration, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), clinicaltrials.gov, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), and U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), among others.