October 12, 2026

Only 56% of Domestic Wastewater Is Safely Treated Worldwide

Discover why investment in wastewater infrastructure is critical for protecting public health, preserving water resources and supporting a more sustainable future.

Water is one of the world’s most valuable resources, yet a significant proportion of the wastewater generated every day is not safely treated before being released back into the environment.

According to the United Nations, only 56% of domestic wastewater generated globally is safely treated, leaving an estimated 146 billion cubic metres of wastewater each year discharged without adequate treatment. Meanwhile, the world generates approximately 332 billion cubic metres of domestic wastewater annually.

The Growing Global Challenge

As populations grow, cities expand, and industries develop, the demand for effective wastewater treatment infrastructure continues to increase. Safely treating wastewater is critical for:

  • Protecting rivers, lakes, oceans and groundwater
  • Safeguarding public health
  • Supporting water reuse and resource recovery
  • Reducing environmental pollution
  • Building sustainable and resilient communities

In many regions, ageing infrastructure and rapid urbanisation place additional pressure on wastewater treatment facilities, creating a need for reliable and efficient treatment technologies. [unstats.un.org]

A Critical Role in Wastewater Treatment

Modern wastewater treatment plants rely on robust equipment to remove solids, grit and organic materials before they can impact downstream processes.

Effective screening, grit removal, conveying and dewatering systems help operators:

  • Improve treatment performance
  • Reduce maintenance requirements
  • Protect critical treatment equipment
  • Lower operational costs
  • Enhance environmental outcomes

These systems form the backbone of reliable wastewater infrastructure, enabling treatment plants to operate efficiently while meeting increasingly stringent environmental standards.

Supporting Better Environmental Outcomes

At SPIRAC, we are committed to helping utilities and industries improve wastewater treatment through innovative solids handling and wastewater process solutions.

From municipal wastewater treatment plants to industrial facilities, our screening, grit handling, conveying and dewatering technologies help customers operate more efficiently while contributing to cleaner waterways and a more sustainable future.

As the world works to improve wastewater treatment performance, every investment in reliable infrastructure helps move us closer to a future where more wastewater is safely treated and valuable resources are recovered rather than wasted.

Looking Ahead

The global wastewater challenge remains significant, but so too does the opportunity. By investing in proven wastewater treatment technologies and infrastructure, communities and industries can help improve environmental performance, protect public health, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Only 56% of domestic wastewater is safely treated worldwide. SPIRAC is helping improve treatment outcomes through innovative wastewater solutions.

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      only
      20%
      of wastewater is collected worldwide, and we aim to improve this
      we serve clients in
      60+
      countries worldwide