Programme

Further details will be shared soon. In the meantime, here’s an overview of some of the main forums here.

Women in Water will be a key, integrated, part of the congress in Glasgow. In line with the congress theme of ‘Action for Water – the path to resilience and prosperity’, the IWA Women in Water initiative will bring delegates together to focus how an inclusive culture within the water sector enables people of any gender to work together to drive action for a resilient and prosperous future.

Submissions for the 2026 IWA Project Innovation Awards will open shortly.

Awarded biennially at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition at a special celebratory event, the Project Innovation Awards recognise and promote excellence and innovation in water management, research and technology.

Key Dates:

Portal for submission of entries opens 23 February 2026
Deadline for entries: 27 March 2026

Call for Entries

Download the Call for Entries to learn more about eligibility, award categories, judging criteria, and the submission process.

The PIA gala event will be held at Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow, on 6 October 2026 in Glasgow, in front of an expert audience of water leaders from around the world.

The IWA Operations Challenge allows utilities to showcase the diverse skills and competencies of their operations and maintenance personnel, testing the practical skills of the utility teams. The IWA Operations Challenge will see teams of three members compete with sessions running across two days of the event.

This year, it brings a modern, hands‑on take on practical water operations. Centred on a live Control Room simulation, teams will tackle a realistic environmental emergency impacting both clean and wastewater networks – protecting customer supplies while minimising environmental impact under pressure.

Using digital tools, live data and performance metrics, teams are pitted against each other in an inclusive and engaging challenge designed to showcase the future skills shaping the global water sector.

Participants of all experience levels will be encouraged to collaborate, learn and explore how advanced control systems can transform operational response for the benefit of customers and the environment. The challenge will be held in the exhibition area at the Congress venue.

The evening event will be held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, one of Scotland’s most distinguished cultural institutions, located in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow’s West End.

The programme will highlight Scotland and the UK’s cultural heritage through a curated selection of experiences, including food, drink, music, and art. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the museum’s galleries, with special elements integrated throughout the evening.

Set within a landmark venue, the event provides a unique setting for networking and informal exchange, offering opportunities to connect with colleagues and peers beyond the conference programme.

Event details:

While the technical sessions provide the foundation of our congress, the IWA Gala Dinner serves as its heart. Moving beyond the meetings, podiums and poster sessions on the exhibition floor, the gala dinner is a curated experience designed to celebrate the global water community in a setting that shifts from professional rigor to meaningful connection.

Technical Tours will be a critical part of the IWA WWCE in Glasgow, giving delegates the opportunity to enjoy a more comprehensive and hands-on experience. These tours will showcase the very best of what Glasgow and Scotland have to offer in terms of water and wastewater innovation, promoting the power of visionary thinking, technical excellence, and high-quality collaboration. Some of them include:

• Glasgow’s water supply, Loch Katrine, and the Steamship Sir Walter Scott

• New innovations at Winchburgh Waste Water Treatment works, plus Falkirk Wheel

• Glasgow’s Smart Canal – city growth and climate adaption

• Edinburgh’s water supply, Glencorse Water Treatment Works and Reservoir, plus Scottish Water’s largest sampling lab, Juniper House