Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €19.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Profitability declines due to increased investments and stricter legal requirements
- The German water supply is facing major challenges due to climate change and stricter legal requirements. The Drinking Water Ordinance, which will be amended in 2023, implements the requirements of the EU Drinking Water Directive. According to the ordinance, old lead pipes must be replaced or decommissioned by 12 January 2026. This will lead to a significant increase in the necessary investments.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Profit margins are expected to stabilise over the next five years
- The end of the downward trend in profit margins is primarily due to the extensive investments made by water suppliers in the renovation of sewer networks and pumping stations, which should improve the operational efficiency of water suppliers.
Biggest companies in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Berliner Wasserbetriebe | 438.8 | |
Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH | 313.5 | |
Gelsenwasser AG | 239.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 10 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Groundwater, Bank filtrate and enriched groundwater and River, lake and reservoir water. Groundwater is the largest segment of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Stricter environmental regulations to improve the quality of groundwater
- Groundwater refers to the water below the earth's surface that reaches it through seepage from precipitation or migration from lakes and rivers. DIN 4049 defines groundwater as underground water that fills the cavities in the earth's crust and whose movement is determined by gravity and frictional forces.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry is engaged in the production and distribution of water and the supply of water to private and public households and commercial customers. However, industry activities do not include the operation of sprinkler systems and similar ancillary services for agriculture.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany include Groundwater, Bank filtrate and enriched groundwater, River, lake and reservoir water and Spring water.Companies
Companies covered in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany include Berliner Wasserbetriebe, Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH and Gelsenwasser AG.Purchase this report to view all 10 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany include blue water, glyphosat, green water, drinking water and water work.Industry Code
WZ 36.00 - Water Collection, Treatment & Supply in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry is suffering from the poor quality of groundwater in Germany. Around 60% of the water supply is obtained from groundwater. High nitrate and pollutant levels due ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The treatment of groundwater accounts for the largest share of the industry's turnover. The share of turnover has fallen recently and is likely to continue to decline in the ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The number of waterworks is strongly linked to the population density of the respective region. Accordingly, North Rhine-Westphalia, as the most populous federal state, has t...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The supply companies share the local responsibilities among themselves and are not in competition with each other. This means that consumers are tied to the regional monopoly...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
There are no major players in the industry. This is primarily due to the fact that a large number of small, regionally based municipal utilities operate at the end of the val...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Berliner Wasserbetriebe's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Gelsenwasser AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 7 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Berliner Wasserbetriebe, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Gelsenwasser AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 7 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Drinking Water Ordinance defines legal requirements for the quality and monitoring of drinking water, the treatment of water and the obligations of water suppliers. An am...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Depreciation is the largest cost item in the industry. Depreciation is expected to remain at a high level over the next five years due to investments in the acquisition of ne...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
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)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany is €19.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 1,636 businesses in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 4.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany?
The Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany?
The Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 4.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany are Berliner Wasserbetriebe, Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH and Gelsenwasser AG
What does the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany include?
Groundwater and Bank filtrate and enriched groundwater are part of the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany is Berliner Wasserbetriebe.
How competitive is the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Water Collection, Treatment & Supply industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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