Water Technology Manufacturers
OEM manufacturers of water and wastewater treatment equipment, membranes, filtration systems, and process technology hardware.
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Buyer's guide
The buyer's guide to water technology manufacturers
Water Technology Manufacturers: Equipment Innovation, Global Supply, and UK Market
Water technology manufacturers design, produce, and supply the equipment, components, and systems that enable water and wastewater treatment at all scales. The global water technology market (estimated USD 900 billion in 2024, Bluefield Research) is served by a mix of global conglomerates, specialist technology companies, and niche component manufacturers. Major global water technology manufacturers with UK operations include: a US-listed water technology group with products spanning submersible wastewater and drainage pumps, surface pumps, UV disinfection, analytical instruments, smart meters, digital water, and consulting; revenue approximately USD 7 billion (2023). The Paris-headquartered water technology division of a French environmental services group: thermal desalination, UV, evaporation crystallisation, macro-porous polymer extraction, water treatment chemicals, pure water; revenue approximately EUR 3 billion water tech division. A second French water technology business (merged into the same group post-2022): legacy technologies including SiC membranes, ozone generation, coagulation systems, biological treatment, MF/UF membranes. A UK gas analyser manufacturer: gas analysers for biogas monitoring. A Danish pump manufacturer: submersible and surface mounted pumps for water supply and wastewater; digital SCADA-integrated pump systems; water booster units; multistage, borehole, end-suction and wastewater pump ranges.
UK-based water technology manufacturers and SMEs: UK water technology sector includes approximately 500 to 1,000 manufacturers, technology developers, and equipment suppliers; Water UK and WaterSolv report; significant activity in: membrane technology (UK manufacturers of MBR membranes and a UK facility of a global MF/UF/NF membrane maker); UV disinfection (a Slough-based specialist in medium pressure UV for drinking water and wastewater; one of the original UV disinfection technology developers); advanced oxidation (a Poynton-based developer of electrochemical oxidation for micropollutant removal using graphite adsorption media and electrochemical regeneration; PFAS treatment specialist); flow measurement (a Malvern-based maker of level and flow instrumentation using ultrasonic and radar technology; the UK arms of the global instrumentation groups supplying electromagnetic and Coriolis flow meters and the full range of process instrumentation); chemical dosing equipment (a Peterborough-based dosing specialist: metering pumps (diaphragm pumps and dosing systems), chemical storage systems (fibre tanks), gas chlorination and UV systems); control valves (actuated valve packages for water and wastewater from the global valve and actuator manufacturers); GRP equipment (UK fabricators of GRP storage tanks and pipe systems for chemical handling). Innovation clusters: WaterSolv/WIRe (Water Innovation and Research) community; Cranfield University spin-outs; Scotland's Centre for Water Excellence; Innovate UK-funded water technology companies.
Manufacturing standards and equipment certification: water treatment equipment sold into the UK market must meet applicable standards and certifications depending on the product category and application. Drinking water contact: WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval required for all components in contact with drinking water (BS 6920 extraction test: measures TOC, turbidity, colour, and growth support (biofilm index) of water in contact with the material; WRAS Approved Products List published at wras.co.uk; NSF/ANSI 61 is the US equivalent, also accepted by DWI as an alternative route to UK approval). Pressure systems: PED 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment Directive, UK retained in PSSR 2000 Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and related statutory instruments; CE/UKCA marking for pressure equipment above Article 4 thresholds: vessels greater than 50 bar.L (pressure x volume); pipework greater than DN25 at 0.5 bar or greater); notified body (Lloyds Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas) issues CE/UKCA certificate for Category III and IV equipment.
Machinery directive: Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (UK retained as Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008); applies to water treatment pumps, mixers, screens, and centrifuges; CE/UKCA marking with Declaration of Conformity; essential health and safety requirements (EHSR): noise (BS EN ISO 9614-2 intensity method), vibration (BS EN ISO 5349 hand-arm; BS EN ISO 2631 whole-body), guarding (BS EN ISO 12100 machinery safety), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU (UK retained), BS EN 61000 series). ATEX: hazardous area equipment (chemical storage areas, biogas installations) must be ATEX-rated (Directive 2014/34/EU, UK retained as Equipment and Protective Systems (Safety) Regulations 2016); equipment category 2G for Zone 1 gas hazards (biogas, ammonia, flammable solvents); category 3G for Zone 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the largest water technology companies globally?
The global water technology sector is dominated by a mix of conglomerates and pure-play water technology companies: (1) A US-listed pure-play water technology group: formed 2011 from an industrial conglomerate spin-off; 2023 revenue approximately USD 7.0 billion (including a major water treatment business acquired 2023 for USD 7.5 billion); products: submersible pumps, surface pumps, UV disinfection, analytical instruments, smart meters, HVAC pumps; major supplier to UK water utilities (its submersible pumps are in most UK pumping stations). (2) A French environmental services group: water, waste, and energy services; following its acquisition of its main French rival (completed 2022): global water technology brands cover thermal desalination, evaporation, UF membranes, ozone, and water treatment chemicals; water technologies revenue approximately EUR 3 to 4 billion; 3rd largest water services operator globally. (3) A US-listed industrial conglomerate: water brands cover chemical dosing pumps, membrane pumps, metering pumps, and fluoropolymer pumps; revenue approximately USD 3.1 billion (2023). (4) A privately held Danish pump manufacturer: global leader in submersible and water supply pumps; revenue approximately EUR 5 billion (2023); UK base in Leighton Buzzard. (5) A US-listed water treatment, filtration, and flow control company: residential and commercial water purification; 2023 revenue approximately USD 2.0 billion. (6) A US-listed water heater and water treatment manufacturer: point-of-entry and point-of-use systems. UK-specific: utility-owned services arms, electrochemical oxidation developers, UV disinfection specialists, modular treatment manufacturers, water hygiene groups, filtration manufacturers, and UV system makers.
What WRAS approval is required for water treatment equipment?
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval is the primary UK standard for products that come into contact with drinking water, ensuring they do not adversely affect water quality. The WRAS approval process: (1) Product testing: the product (or material used in the product) is tested under BS 6920:2000 (Suitability of non-metallic products for use in contact with water intended for human consumption with regard to their effect on the quality of the water); BS 6920 tests measure: organoleptic effects (taste and odour assessment using BS 6920 methods); effect on colour (CIE colorimetric measurements at prescribed extract conditions); TOC concentration in water extracts (DOC from material leaching); growth of micro-organisms on the material (biofilm formation potential); migration of trace elements and substances (ICP-MS analysis of water extracts); testing is conducted under standardised conditions (specific water composition, temperature, contact time, water exchange regime); (2) Assessment: test results evaluated against DWI acceptability criteria by an accredited assessment body (WRc (UK Water Research Centre), BBA (British Board of Agrement), or WRAS assessment panel); (3) WRAS Approved Products List: products passing assessment are listed on the WRAS Approved Products List (searchable at wras.co.uk; specifies approved product, manufacturer, product reference, approval category, and renewal date); (4) DWI compliance: water companies specifying products in contact with drinking water must use WRAS-approved products (or products approved via an alternative route such as NSF/ANSI 61 assessment); products without WRAS approval should not be used in drinking water applications without DWI agreement. Scope: WRAS approval applies to: pipes and fittings (HDPE, PVC-u, copper, brass); valves, couplings, and flanges; tank and vessel linings (epoxy coatings, GFS coatings, rubber linings); water meters; backflow prevention devices; dosing chemicals (NSF 60 for drinking water chemicals); membranes and filter media.
What are the main water pump technologies and their applications?
Water pump technology selection depends on the flow rate, pressure, fluid characteristics, and application: (1) Centrifugal pumps (most common in water industry): single or multistage radial flow (ISO 9908 / EN ISO 9906 testing standard); horizontal split case (HSC) for large flow, low head (river intakes, raw water transfer); vertical turbine pump (VTP) for deep borehole or reservoir inlet (multi-stage impeller on vertical lineshaft); submersible pump for pump stations (wet well submersible; no separate pump house required). (2) Axial flow pumps: for high flow, very low head applications (less than 2 m); flood control, cooling water, irrigation transfer; propeller-type impeller. (3) Positive displacement pumps: diaphragm metering pumps: precise chemical dosing (0.1 to 1,000 L/h; accuracy plus or minus 1 percent; chemical-resistant wetted parts in PTFE/EPDM/PVC); peristaltic pumps (for abrasive slurries, sludge, and aggressive chemicals; tube wears and replaces easily); progressive cavity pumps (for sludge transfer (3 to 8 percent DS); viscous fluids; 10 to 200 m3/h; pressure to 48 bar). (4) Pump selection criteria: hydraulic: flow rate (m3/h); head (m); pump efficiency (BS EN ISO 9906 Grade 1 or 2); NPSH required vs available; specific speed (Ns = N x Q^0.5 / H^0.75; low Ns radial flow, high Ns axial flow); energy: variable speed drive (VSD/VFD) for pumps on variable demand systems (energy saving 20 to 40 percent vs throttle control); soft starter for fixed-speed applications. UK pump market: served by the established global pump manufacturers, with one Danish manufacturer holding the largest market share.
How do water technology companies manage quality and compliance?
Water technology manufacturers manage product quality and regulatory compliance through a combination of management system standards, product certification, and quality control processes: Quality management: ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems): the global standard for quality management; defines processes for design control, supplier qualification, production control, inspection and test, non-conformance management, and continual improvement; most water equipment manufacturers are ISO 9001 certified (required by many water company supplier qualification (pre-qualification questionnaire, PQQ) processes); UKAS-accredited certification body (BSI, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance, Bureau Veritas Certification) issues ISO 9001 certificate after audit; surveillance audits annually; recertification every 3 years. For drinking water contact products: WRAS Quality Assurance Scheme: WRAS QAS extends WRAS product approval to cover the manufacturer's production quality assurance processes; annual audits by WRAS-trained auditors; ensures consistent product quality matching the tested approval. Pressure systems: PED 2014/68/EU: quality system route (Module D, E, or H1) for pressure equipment above Cat III requires notified body audit of manufacturer's quality system (EN ISO 9001-based, expanded for pressure equipment); Quality Assurance Assessment (QAA) certificate issued by notified body. Testing and calibration: test equipment (pressure gauges, flow meters, calibration weights) must be calibrated at defined intervals against UKAS traceable standards (ISO/IEC 17025 calibration certificate required); calibration records maintained; measurement uncertainty documented. Performance testing: pumps tested to ISO 9906 at manufacturer's test facility (hydraulic performance: Q-H curve, efficiency curve, NPSH curve; power input; vibration: ISO 10816-7); membrane performance tested to ASTM D4516 and supplier standard conditions; UV systems tested to DVGW W 294 biodosimetry protocol.
Illustrative scenario · Water treatment equipment manufacturing and supply
A composite drawn from typical projects in this category, not a single client engagement. Figures are indicative.
- Challenge
- A UK-based electrochlorination equipment manufacturer had developed a new skid-mounted brine electrolysis system (15 kg Cl2/day capacity) for drinking water disinfection at remote rural water supplies, but needed DWI Regulation 31 approval, WRAS product approval for the sodium hypochlorite dosing wetted parts, PSSR 2000 CE marking for the brine tank and chlorine contactor vessel, and a DVGW W 624 compliance demonstration for the electrochlorination cell, all in parallel with commercial launch.
- Approach
- The company engaged a specialist water treatment consulting firm to coordinate the four approval streams simultaneously: a DWI Reg 31 dossier was prepared (toxicological risk assessment for sodium hypochlorite by-products (chlorate, perchlorate) including WHO 2022 guideline values and DWI interim standards; process performance evidence from 3-month pilot installations at 4 water supply sites in Scotland and Wales); WRAS approval testing (BS 6920 extraction tests on CPVC and PVDF wetted parts at an accredited laboratory); CE/UKCA marking to PSSR 2000 for the pressure vessels (notified body Lloyds Register; Category II, Module D quality system route); and DVGW W 624 cell efficiency testing at an approved test facility.
- Outcome
- All four approvals obtained within 14 months (DWI Reg 31 approval: 11 months; WRAS approval: 5 months; PSSR CE/UKCA marking: 7 months; DVGW W 624 test certificate: 4 months). The company gained first-to-market advantage in the small rural water supply sector. Within 18 months of commercial launch, 42 systems were installed across Scotland, Wales, and northern England, generating GBP 1.9 million in revenue. The DWI Reg 31 approval certificate was used as a reference document in two subsequent competitive tenders where competing unapproved products were excluded by the procuring water companies.
Questions to ask shortlisted providers
5
- 01
Does your equipment hold current WRAS approval for all wetted components in contact with drinking water, and is the approval listed on the current WRAS Approved Products List at wras.co.uk?
WRAS approval is time-limited and must be renewed if the product specification changes; specifying non-WRAS-approved components in a drinking water application exposes the water company to DWI regulatory risk (potential supply quality compliance failure) and potential invalidation of the water company's Environmental Permit or abstraction licence conditions, which require use of approved materials throughout the treatment and distribution system.
- 02
For pressure vessels, columns, and pipework above the PSSR 2000 Article 4 threshold, has CE/UKCA marking been obtained from a notified body, and is the Declaration of Conformity available?
PSSR 2000 and the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (UK retained PED) require CE/UKCA marking for pressure equipment above threshold pressure x volume products; water company procurement teams routinely request Declaration of Conformity as a pre-qualification requirement; equipment without valid CE/UKCA marking cannot be legally placed on the UK market, which constitutes a supply agreement breach.
- 03
What is the manufacturer's documented mean time between failures (MTBF) for critical components (UV lamps, membrane elements, dosing pump diaphragms), and is there a UK-based spare parts holding for next-day delivery?
For water treatment equipment at sites with no on-site operational staff (remote borehole sites, unmanned booster pumping stations), a MTBF below 2 years for a critical component with no spare parts within 48 hours creates unacceptable supply risk; water companies require evidence of manufacturer MTBF data and a spares holding commitment in the supply contract.
- 04
Has the equipment been validated at full scale under worst-case source water conditions matching the client's site-specific water quality (not just manufacturer's standard test conditions), and is the performance guarantee backed by liquidated damages?
UV equipment validated at UVT 95 percent may fail to achieve log-removal targets at a site where UVT drops to 65 percent in autumn; membranes tested with deionised water will scale within weeks in hard groundwater without proper antiscalant protocol; performance guarantees must reference site-specific source water quality data, and liquidated damages for performance shortfall make the guarantee commercially meaningful.
- 05
What is the manufacturer's end-of-life take-back or waste management scheme for consumables (spent UV lamps, exhausted membrane elements, spent GAC), and do the materials comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 for mercury-containing lamps?
Spent low-pressure mercury UV lamps are classified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and must be disposed of via a licensed hazardous waste contractor; WEEE Regulations 2013 require producers of electrical equipment (UV systems) to fund end-of-life collection and treatment; water companies increasingly require evidence of manufacturer WEEE compliance and hazardous waste management plans in PQQ documents.
What drives cost in this category
4
- WRAS and regulatory approval programme cost and timeline
- WRAS product approval (BS 6920 testing and assessment) costs GBP 5,000 to 25,000 per product line depending on the number of wetted materials and the testing scope; DWI Regulation 31 approval requires a toxicological dossier and process performance evidence that typically costs GBP 50,000 to 200,000 in consulting, testing, and preparation time; these approval costs are fixed regardless of sales volume, meaning they must be amortised over projected UK market sales and recovered in the product price.
- Membrane element warranty and replacement life cycle cost
- RO membrane elements from the established manufacturers cost GBP 150 to 350 per element; a 100 m3/h BWRO system contains 70 to 120 elements; full element replacement costs GBP 10,500 to 42,000; manufacturer warranty is typically 1 year (for manufacturing defects, not scaling or fouling); actual element life is 3 to 7 years with proper antiscalant and CIP protocol; life cycle cost modelling must include element replacement frequency to compare alternative membrane product offerings fairly.
- Compliance with ErP (Energy-related Products) Directive for pumps and circulators
- The Energy-related Products Directive (ErP, UK retained as the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021) sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for water pumps (glandless circulators from 2013; clean water end-suction pumps from 2015); non-compliant pumps cannot be placed on the UK market; compliant high-efficiency pumps (Variable Speed Drive, IE3/IE4 motor, minimum efficiency index MEI 0.40) cost 15 to 25 percent more than legacy designs but reduce annual electricity consumption by 20 to 40 percent, typically recovering the premium in 2 to 4 years of operation.
- UK market entry cost for international water technology manufacturers
- International manufacturers entering the UK water technology market face product re-certification costs (WRAS approval: GBP 10,000 to 30,000; PSSR CE/UKCA marking: GBP 15,000 to 50,000 per product family via a UK notified body; BSI product certification: GBP 5,000 to 20,000 per standard); combined with establishing a UK technical support presence, spare parts holding (GBP 50,000 to 200,000 initial stock), and framework pre-qualification on water company approved supplier lists (typically GBP 5,000 to 15,000 in PQQ cost and audit time), the total UK market entry investment is GBP 100,000 to 400,000 before the first sale.
Key regulations and standards
4
- WRAS Water Regulations Advisory Scheme and BS 6920:2000 - Drinking Water Contact Products
- WRAS approval is the standard UK route for demonstrating that products in contact with drinking water do not adversely affect water quality; BS 6920 extraction tests (organoleptic, colour, TOC, growth support, trace element migration) must be passed at a UKAS-accredited laboratory; the WRAS Approved Products List is maintained at wras.co.uk; DWI inspections verify that water company contractors specify WRAS-approved products for drinking water applications.
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (UK Retained PED 2014/68/EU) and PSSR 2000
- Pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and pressure pipework above defined thresholds require CE/UKCA marking under the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016; conformity assessment routes (Module A, B+C, G, H, H1) depend on equipment category (I to IV based on pressure x volume and fluid type); Category III and IV require a UK Approved Body (Lloyds Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas) to conduct conformity assessment; Declaration of Conformity and technical file must accompany all CE/UKCA-marked equipment.
- Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (UK Retained Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC)
- Water treatment pumps, mixers, screens, centrifuges, and UV systems are machinery subject to CE/UKCA marking under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008; manufacturers must conduct a risk assessment against the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs), apply harmonised standards (BS EN ISO 12100 for general machinery safety; BS EN 809 for liquid pumps), and issue a Declaration of Conformity; technical file must be retained for 10 years from the date of placing on the market.
- WEEE Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/3113) for UV Systems and Electronic Water Treatment Equipment
- Water treatment UV systems, electronic dosing controllers, and SCADA/RTU equipment are Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) subject to the WEEE Regulations 2013 (UK retained WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU); producers must register with an approved WEEE compliance scheme and fund end-of-life collection and treatment; spent mercury-containing UV lamps (low-pressure amalgam lamps) are also classified as hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 (England and Wales) and must be collected by a licensed hazardous waste contractor.