The global desalination and water reuse sectors are entering what experts are calling the fastest growth phase in their history. According to the newly released IDRA Desalination & Reuse Handbook 2025–2026, installed desalination capacity has increased by 40% since 2020, while global water reuse capacity has jumped 52% over the same period.

Published by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) in collaboration with the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA), the handbook paints a picture of an industry that is rapidly evolving in response to the growing urgency of water scarcity.

From the Middle East to North America, more regions are experiencing record-low water availability, driving governments, utilities, and private industry to explore alternatives to conventional freshwater supplies. As a result, both desalination and water reuse are becoming central to national and regional water security strategies.

Demand Driven by Drought, Scarcity, and Climate Pressure

The surge in capacity reflects growing recognition that traditional water sources - such as rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater - can no longer be relied upon in many parts of the world. Extended droughts, climate variability, and over-extraction have stressed water systems to the brink, prompting a global shift in investment toward more resilient, technology-based solutions.

The handbook notes that over 190 desalination projects were contracted in 2024 and 2025, while 200 wastewater reuse projects have been recorded since 2022. These figures underscore the scale and speed of change taking place across both sectors.

Utilities, particularly in water-stressed regions, are under increasing pressure to diversify supply sources. Water reuse, once seen as a niche solution, is now being integrated into mainstream planning, while desalination - long criticized for its energy intensity and cost, is becoming more viable thanks to technological advancements and policy support.

What’s Inside the 2025–2026 Handbook

The IDRA Desalination & Reuse Handbook 2025–2026 offers updated insights into the market’s rapid transformation.

Key features include:

• Global desalination capacity data, investment forecasts, and regional trends for 2025.
• Water reuse market analysis, highlighting the drivers behind the 52% increase in capacity since 2020.
• Featured project listings, with details on more than 190 new desalination initiatives and over 200 wastewater reuse projects.
• Industry directories, covering over 200 companies involved in engineering, procurement, construction, and technology development.
• The handbook is designed to serve a wide audience, including water utilities, regulators, engineering firms, and industrial water users who are looking to understand the evolving market landscape and make informed decisions.

Access is available to GWI Executive Members, as well as through GWI DesalData and Water Desalination Report subscriptions.

The findings confirm what many in the sector have been anticipating: the global water market is no longer just reacting to scarcity — it is starting to proactively plan for it. The rapid growth in desalination and reuse capacity suggests a fundamental shift in how water is sourced and managed, especially in high-risk regions.

However, challenges remain. Cost, energy use, brine disposal, and regulatory complexity still pose hurdles for widespread adoption, particularly in developing countries. Despite that, momentum continues to build, and the industry is expected to play an increasingly important role in future water resilience planning.

With investment rising, technologies improving, and governments signaling stronger support, desalination and water reuse are set to become cornerstones of the global water supply, not just emergency solutions.