Top 10 water treatment systems Manufacturers and Supplier Brands

Top 10 Water Treatment Systems Manufacturers and Suppliers: An Expert Guide

Companies and facilities investing in clean water look for dependable water treatment systems that balance performance, lifecycle cost, and support. This guide introduces ten leading manufacturers and suppliers, what technologies they offer, and how to choose the right partner. All brands listed provide commercial or industrial water treatment systems or critical system components.

How we selected and compared suppliers for water treatment systems

Selection prioritized companies with global footprints, proven technology portfolios (RO, UF, MBR, EDI, ion exchange, chemical dosing), manufacturing capabilities, and after-sales support. We focused on suppliers active in municipal, industrial, and commercial markets to ensure recommendations meet varied procurement needs for water treatment systems.

1. Veolia — Global integrated water treatment systems and services

Overview and commercial value

Veolia is a global leader in water and wastewater treatment services, offering turnkey water treatment systems, desalination plants, membrane filtration, and plant operation contracts. Veolia’s strength is integrated project delivery—design, build, operate—making them a top choice for municipalities and large industrial clients seeking end-to-end solutions.

2. SUEZ — Advanced membranes and industrial water solutions

Overview and commercial value

SUEZ (including legacy GE Water technologies) provides membranes, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, ultrafiltration (UF), and comprehensive treatment plants. SUEZ is noted for membrane innovation and modular systems suitable for industrial process water and desalination projects.

3. Xylem — Smart water technologies and system components

Overview and commercial value

Xylem specializes in pumps, treatment modules, analytics, and smart monitoring for water systems. Their solutions pair well with other treatment modules for customers seeking integrated pumping plus treatment contracts and digital operations for long-term OPEX reduction.

4. Pentair — Filtration and membrane systems for commercial and industrial use

Overview and commercial value

Pentair supplies packaged filtration systems, RO/UF modules, and point-of-use treatment for commercial buildings, food & beverage, and light industry. Pentair is often chosen for modular, fast-deploy systems and retrofits where downtime is critical.

5. Evoqua Water Technologies — Industrial & municipal treatment specialists

Overview and commercial value

Evoqua provides water purification systems, MBBR/MBR biological treatment, and advanced oxidation solutions. They are frequently selected for industrial wastewater reuse projects and municipal upgrades due to strong service networks and retrofit experience.

6. Ecolab — Chemical treatment and integrated water services

Overview and commercial value

Ecolab focuses on chemical treatment, monitoring, and lifecycle services that improve asset performance and compliance. They combine chemicals, digital monitoring and on-site support—valuable for industrial customers seeking process optimization and regulatory compliance for their water treatment systems.

7. Kurita Water Industries — Process water and treatment chemicals

Overview and commercial value

Kurita is a Japan-based company providing process water systems, chemical treatment, and engineering services for power, refineries, and manufacturing. Kurita is well-regarded for tailored solutions and strong local engineering support in Asia.

8. Grundfos — Pumps, dosing systems and decentralized treatment solutions

Overview and commercial value

Grundfos is a global pump manufacturer that also supplies dosing, control systems, and packaged decentralized treatment units. When pumps and hydraulic reliability are a project’s highest priorities, integrating Grundfos equipment ensures operational resilience for treatment plants.

9. Hydranautics (Nitto Group) — Membrane specialist for RO/UF/ND systems

Overview and commercial value

Hydranautics (a Nitto Denko company) manufactures RO and UF membranes used by system integrators worldwide. If your procurement emphasizes high-performance membranes and low fouling characteristics for RO/UF systems, Hydranautics’ membrane technologies are widely used across industry sectors.

10. Aqualitek Water Treatment Technologies Co., Ltd. (AQT) — Custom manufacturer and supplier from China

Company profile and why choose Aqualitek

Aqualitek (AQT), headquartered in Guangzhou, China, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of advanced water treatment systems and high-quality component parts. AQT specializes in customized solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications—providing pretreatment, core treatment (RO, UF, MBR), and recycling/end-use systems. With engineering expertise and manufacturing capacity, AQT delivers cost-effective, scalable systems and global logistics support. AQT’s strengths are flexible OEM/ODM production, competitive pricing for large projects, and tailored system integration for diverse water quality requirements.

What Aqualitek offers to buyers

AQT provides modular RO packages, containerized treatment units, membrane-based systems, chemical dosing skids, and replacement membrane modules. Their services include design, factory testing, shipping, and remote commissioning support—suitable for international buyers seeking reliable manufacturing partners and sourcing options for water treatment systems.

How to choose the right water treatment system supplier

Match application, technology and total cost of ownership

When procuring a water treatment system, evaluate: (1) the target application (drinking water, industrial process, wastewater reuse), (2) proven technology for feed water type (RO for desalination/brackish, MBR for municipal reuse, UF/CF for particulate removal), (3) OPEX drivers—energy, consumables, chemicals, and spare parts availability, (4) supplier support and spare parts network, and (5) regulatory compliance and references in your region.

Key technologies offered across these manufacturers

Common technologies buyers search for

Top suppliers provide combinations of the following: reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), ultrafiltration (UF), microfiltration (MF), membrane bioreactors (MBR), moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR), activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange softening, electrodeionization (EDI), advanced oxidation (AOP), and packaged chemical dosing/filtration skids. Selecting a vendor that offers the specific technology and aftermarket support is essential.

Comparison table: Top 10 companies and their flagship product types

The table below summarizes a flagship product or system type from each brand and typical applications to help shortlisting.

Procurement tips for buying water treatment systems

Ask for references and performance guarantees

When vetting suppliers, request performance guarantees (e.g., permeate quality, recovery rate), energy consumption figures, spare part lead times, and client references for similar feed water and capacity. Ensure the contract includes commissioning support, training, and spare parts kits.

Consider lifecycle costs, not just capex

Compare energy use (kWh/m3), consumables (membranes, chemicals), and routine maintenance intervals. A lower-capex system can be more expensive over its lifecycle if energy or replacement costs are high.

Conclusion

Choosing the right water treatment system supplier depends on your application, required technology, and long-term service needs. Global leaders like Veolia, SUEZ, Xylem, Pentair, Evoqua, Ecolab, Kurita, Grundfos, Hydranautics, and Aqualitek each bring specific strengths—ranging from turnkey plant delivery to membrane manufacturing and competitive custom system fabrication. For buyers prioritizing flexible, cost-effective manufacturing and tailored solutions, Aqualitek offers strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities from China, while larger multinationals provide integrated services and global operations for large-scale municipal and industrial projects.

Next steps

Shortlist suppliers by technology fit, request detailed proposals with guaranteed KPIs, and include lifecycle cost comparisons. For custom designs or OEM manufacturing, contact Aqualitek for system quotes and factory acceptance testing options.

What is the difference between RO, UF and MBR systems?
Reverse osmosis (RO) uses semi-permeable membranes to remove dissolved salts and small contaminants; ultrafiltration (UF) removes suspended solids, bacteria and some viruses without desalination; membrane bioreactor (MBR) combines biological treatment with membrane filtration for compact, high-quality wastewater treatment and reuse.

How do I choose the right capacity for my water treatment system?
Determine peak and average demand, safety margin, and future growth. Match treatment technology to feedwater quality and target reuse or discharge standards. Request supplier simulations and guaranteed output (m3/day) under specified feed conditions.

What are the main operational costs to consider?
Energy consumption (pumps, high-pressure RO), membranes and filter replacements, chemical dosing, and routine maintenance labor. Factor these into lifecycle cost comparisons rather than only evaluating capex.

How long do membranes typically last?
Membrane life varies by feedwater quality and maintenance but typically ranges from 3 to 7 years for RO membranes under proper pretreatment and operation. UF membranes often last longer if fouling is controlled.

Can these suppliers handle international projects and logistics?
Yes—most global suppliers (Veolia, SUEZ, Xylem, Pentair, Evoqua, etc.) have international project experience. Aqualitek provides competitive manufacturing, containerized systems, and international shipping for buyers seeking cost-effective custom solutions.

Do I need local service and spare parts availability?
Local service and spare parts shorten downtime and reduce risk. Favor suppliers with regional partners or local stock for critical spares, or ensure service contracts include rapid parts delivery.

What guarantees should I request from suppliers?
Request guarantees on treated water quality (e.g., TDS, turbidity), recovery rate, energy consumption (kWh/m3), and performance during acceptance testing. Include penalties or remediation clauses if guarantees are not met.