China Water Purification Systems Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Product, Technology, End Use, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2026-2034

China Water Purification Systems Market Summary:

The China water purification systems market size reached USD 9.53 Billion in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 17.53 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.01% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by stringent government regulations mandating improved water quality standards, rising health consciousness among consumers amid widespread water pollution concerns, and rapid technological advancements in smart water purification systems with IoT and AI integration. These factors are collectively expanding the China water purification systems market share.

China Water Purification Systems Market Outlook (2026-2034):

The market for water purification systems in China is expected to develop steadily until 2034, mostly due to increased government spending on modernizing water infrastructure and growing subsidies that lower the cost of purifying systems for homes. Growing consumer preference for mineral-enriched and alkaline water products will create new market segments, while international expansion by domestic manufacturers into Southeast Asia and North America will broaden revenue streams. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy solutions like solar-powered purification units will address sustainability concerns, supporting the market's positive trajectory throughout the forecast period.

Impact of AI:

By providing real-time water quality monitoring, predictive maintenance, and adaptive filtering procedures, artificial intelligence is transforming China's water purification sector. AI-powered purifiers use smart sensors and machine learning algorithms to automatically adjust purification settings based on detected water contaminants, optimize filter lifespan, and alert users via smartphone apps about maintenance needs. Companies like Viomi and Haier are investing heavily in AI-driven technologies, with innovations expected to reduce filter waste by up to 40 percent while improving purification efficiency. As these technologies mature, AI will play an increasingly central role in demand forecasting, supply chain optimization, and personalized water quality management for consumers.

Market Dynamics:

Key Market Trends & Growth Drivers:

Stringent Government Regulations and Water Infrastructure Investment

China's government has implemented comprehensive regulatory frameworks to address the nation's critical water quality challenges, creating significant market opportunities for water purification systems. The nation's first national-level Regulations on Water Conservation were released by the State Council in March 2024 and went into effect on May 1, 2024. These regulations set water use restrictions for key industries and limited water-intensive projects in areas with acute water scarcity. In addition, China's 14th Five-Year Plan calls for raising the percentage of recycled water used in water-scarce cities to over 25% and achieving a sewage treatment rate of over 95% in county-level districts by 2025. The government has allocated substantial funding for water infrastructure development, including plans to add and renovate 80,000 kilometers of sewage pipes and construct 100 low-carbon treatment plants by 2025. These policy initiatives are directly driving demand for advanced water purification technologies across residential, commercial, and municipal sectors. The National Development and Reform Commission's 2025 expansion of trade-in subsidies to include water purifiers, offering consumers up to 20 percent of the purchase price (capped at RMB 2,000 per unit), has further accelerated adoption rates. In order to guarantee compliance and safeguard public health, local governments are enforcing water quality regulations more strictly, which forces businesses and homes to invest in dependable filtration systems.

Rising Health Consciousness Amid Widespread Water Pollution

The China water purification systems market growth is propelled by increasing consumer awareness of water contamination risks and growing health consciousness across all demographic segments. With approximately 70 percent of China's rivers, lakes, and waterways polluted and more than half of urban groundwater contaminated, Chinese consumers face daily concerns about water safety for drinking, cooking, and bathing. By 2025, only up to 30 percent of Chinese households have water purifiers, despite 40 million units sold by 2020, indicating massive untapped market potential as health awareness continues to rise. Urban residents, particularly the expanding middle class with higher disposable incomes, are increasingly willing to invest in premium water purification systems that offer comprehensive protection against bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical contaminants. Consumer preferences are evolving beyond basic filtration, with surveys showing over 55 percent expressing interest in mineral water purifiers that provide enhanced health benefits through remineralization. The COVID-19 pandemic further heightened hygiene consciousness, making households more receptive to investments in health-related appliances. This trend extends to commercial establishments including restaurants, hotels, schools, and hospitals, where water quality directly impacts customer safety and regulatory compliance. The growing prevalence of waterborne diseases and increasing media coverage of water pollution incidents continue to drive consumer education and market adoption across both urban centers and gradually penetrating tier 3-4 cities.

Rapid Technological Innovation in Smart Water Purification Systems

The market is experiencing transformative technological advancement as manufacturers integrate IoT, AI, and smart home ecosystem capabilities into water purification products. In May 2025, Viomi Technology launched the Kunlun 4 Pro Mineral Alkaline Water Purifier, featuring AI-powered mineralization technology that replicates natural mineral water formation, following a RMB 100 million investment in research and development over three years with more than 100 researchers. Leading Chinese brands including Xiaomi, Midea, Haier, and Angel are developing sophisticated systems equipped with real-time water quality sensors, automatic filter replacement alerts, remote monitoring via smartphone applications, and integration with broader smart home platforms. These innovations address key consumer pain points by providing predictive maintenance that extends filter lifespan, reduces operational costs, and ensures consistent water quality without manual intervention. Advanced filtration technologies such as nano-filtration, biofilm systems, and multi-stage purification processes are becoming standard features, with manufacturers emphasizing energy efficiency and water conservation through improved recovery rates. The shift toward multifunctional integrated solutions combining purification, heating, cooling, and mineral enrichment capabilities appeals to tech-savvy consumers seeking comprehensive household water management. International certification standards including NSF, CE, and BIS compliance are increasingly becoming competitive differentiators, as consumers seek assurance of product quality and safety. The competitive landscape is driving continuous innovation cycles, with companies racing to introduce next-generation features that enhance user experience while maintaining affordability to capture broader market segments.

Key Market Challenges:

High Maintenance Costs and Filter Replacement Burdens

One of the primary challenges constraining widespread adoption of water purification systems in China is the significant ongoing maintenance costs associated with filter replacements and system servicing. Reverse osmosis systems, which dominate the market due to their superior contaminant removal capabilities, require replacement of pre-filters every three to six months, RO membranes every 12 to 18 months, and UV lamps annually, resulting in annual maintenance costs ranging from RMB 2,000 to RMB 6,000 per household. These recurring expenses can accumulate to nearly the initial purchase price of the system over its operational lifespan, creating affordability barriers particularly for lower-income households and rural communities. The complexity of filter replacement procedures often necessitates professional technician visits, adding service charges that further increase total ownership costs. While premium brands are introducing longer-lasting filters and simplified DIY replacement mechanisms, the frequent maintenance requirements remain a deterrent for price-sensitive consumers who compare these costs against alternatives like bottled water. Additionally, inconsistent service network coverage in tier 3-4 cities and rural areas creates accessibility challenges for timely maintenance, potentially leading to degraded water quality or system failures. The high cost structure particularly affects commercial and industrial users who operate multiple units, requiring substantial annual budgets for maintenance contracts and spare parts inventory.

Low Market Penetration in Rural and Lower-Tier Urban Areas

Despite rapid growth in major cities, the water purification systems market faces significant penetration challenges in rural regions and lower-tier cities where the majority of China's population resides. Only approximately 30 percent of Chinese households owned water purifiers by 2025, with penetration rates substantially lower in rural areas where access to reliable electricity, technical support, and replacement parts remains limited. Economic constraints play a critical role, as rural households typically have lower disposable incomes and prioritize essential expenditures over what may be perceived as discretionary health products. Limited awareness about the health benefits of water purification and traditional preferences for boiled water as a purification method further impede adoption in these regions. The lack of robust distribution networks and after-sales service infrastructure in remote areas creates logistical challenges for manufacturers attempting to expand beyond urban markets. Additionally, rural water quality issues often differ from urban contaminants, requiring specialized filtration solutions that are not widely available or promoted. Government subsidies and trade-in programs, while helpful, have primarily benefited urban consumers with easier access to retail channels and information. Bridging this urban-rural divide requires targeted educational campaigns, development of affordable product variants suitable for rural conditions including systems operable without continuous electricity supply, and establishment of local service partnerships to ensure sustainable product support.

Intense Competition and Market Saturation in Premium Segments

The China water purification systems market is characterized by fierce competition among numerous domestic and international players, leading to significant price pressure and product homogenization challenges. The market features over 3,000 manufacturers ranging from established multinationals like A.O. Smith and 3M to dominant local brands including Midea, Haier, Xiaomi, and Angel, with the top 10 brands holding over 70 percent of online sales and 90 percent of offline sales, creating intense rivalry for market share. This consolidation forces smaller players to compete primarily on price, eroding profit margins across the industry. Due to the widespread availability of basic filtration technologies including reverse osmosis, UV purification, and activated carbon filtration, which lead to comparable performance standards across competing products, product differentiation has grown more challenging. Companies struggle to justify premium pricing beyond brand reputation and incremental feature additions, limiting innovation returns on investment. The proliferation of low-cost alternatives, particularly through e-commerce platforms, has created consumer price sensitivity that constrains manufacturer pricing power. Additionally, counterfeit and substandard products flooding the market undermine consumer trust and create unfair competition for legitimate manufacturers investing in quality and compliance. Marketing and distribution costs are escalating as brands compete for visibility across multiple channels including e-commerce, specialty stores, and traditional retail outlets. The commoditization trend particularly affects established players who face pressure from agile startups introducing disruptive business models such as subscription-based filter services and rental programs that lower consumer entry barriers while shifting revenue models.

China Water Purification Systems Market Report Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the China water purification systems market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. The market has been categorized based on product, technology, end use, and distribution channel.

Analysis by Product:

• POE-POU Systems
• Filters
• Portable Purifiers
• Central Water Purification Systems
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product. This includes POE-POU systems, filters, portable purifiers, central water purification systems, and others.

Analysis by Technology:

• Reverse Osmosis
• Activated Carbon Filtration
• Ultraviolet (UV) Purification
• Distillation
• Ion Exchange
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the technology have also been provided in the report. This includes reverse osmosis, activated carbon filtration, ultraviolet purification, distillation, ion exchange, and others.

Analysis by End Use:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Municipal

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use. This includes residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal.

Analysis by Distribution Channel:

• Direct
• Indirect

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes direct and indirect.

Analysis by Region:

• North China
• East China
• South Central China
• Southwest China
• Northwest China
• Northeast China

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North China, East China, South Central China, Southwest China, Northwest China, and Northeast China.

Competitive Landscape:

The market for water filtration systems in China is extremely competitive and fragmented, with many domestic and foreign producers fighting for market share through pricing strategies, technological innovation, and wide-ranging distribution networks. The market is dominated by established Chinese brands including Midea, Haier, Xiaomi, and Angel, which leverage their strong brand recognition, integrated smart home ecosystems, and economies of scale to maintain leadership positions. International companies such as A.O. Smith, 3M, and Culligan compete by emphasizing premium quality, advanced filtration technologies, and superior after-sales service to attract affluent urban consumers. The competitive landscape exhibits high consolidation in both online and offline channels, with the top 10 brands capturing over 70 percent of online sales and 90 percent of offline sales, reflecting strong brand loyalty and technological differentiation. Competition centers on continuous product innovation, particularly in AI-powered smart features, IoT integration, and multifunctional systems that combine purification with heating, cooling, and mineral enrichment capabilities to meet evolving consumer preferences.

China Water Purification Systems Industry Latest Developments:

• March 2025: Xiaomi launched the Mijia Rich Mine Water Purifier 1200G in China, featuring an advanced reverse osmosis filter with a five-year lifespan, an integrated OLED touchscreen tap with touch controls, and three customizable water output settings including pure water, strontium-enriched water, and micro-mineral water. The system delivers a 3.18 liters per minute flow rate, capable of filling a glass in approximately three seconds, while claiming to remove 99.9 percent of lead and 100 percent of E. coli bacteria. Priced at 3,399 yuan (approximately $470), the product targets health-conscious consumers seeking mineral-enriched water solutions with convenient smart home integration.
• May 2025: At a significant press conference in Guangzhou, Viomi Technology formally unveiled the Kunlun 4 Pro Mineral Alkaline Water Purifier, which is the result of more than three years of research and development and an investment of more than RMB 100 million. By enriching purified water with six essential minerals like strontium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and metasilicic acid, the product's unique 7+1 stage filtration system and AI-powered mineralization technology mimic the natural formation of mineral water. To find quality natural mineral sources, the company partnered with China University of Geosciences and developed the Kunlun Mineral Water Technology Research Center, which employs over 100 researchers. This launch comes after Viomi's successful 2024 business reorganization, which focused solely on household water solutions and helped the company achieve a 29.3 percent year-over-year sales rise to RMB 2.1 billion for the entire year 2024.
• August 2024: Viomi Technology completed a strategic business reorganization to divest its IoT@Home portfolio products including refrigerators, air conditioners, and other home appliances, choosing to concentrate resources exclusively on its core home water solutions business. The restructuring involved a business transfer agreement with the company's founder and CEO for a total consideration of RMB 65 million, enabling Viomi to optimize its operational structure, improve overall efficiency, and maximize advantages from its RMB 1 billion Water Purifier Gigafactory featuring highly automated production lines and full traceability systems. The company's financial performance improved as a result of the reorganization, and in 2024, the water purification business emerged as the main growth engine, with 39 percent annual growth.

China Water Purification Systems Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the China water purification systems market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the China water purification systems market on the basis of product?
• What is the breakup of the China water purification systems market on the basis of technology?
• What is the breakup of the China water purification systems market on the basis of end use?
• What is the breakup of the China water purification systems market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the China water purification systems market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the China water purification systems market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the China water purification systems market?
• What is the structure of the China water purification systems market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the China water purification systems market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the China water purification systems market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the China water purification systems market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the China water purification systems industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.