The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition showcases state-of-the art knowledge and practice. An extensive technical programme of presentations, workshops and posters forms the core of the week-long event. Selected by an expert global Programme Committee and running across multiple parallel sessions, this delivers access to latest advances from right across the sector.
Built around this, the carefully curated wider programme will feature keynote speakers, plenary panel discussions, technology showcases, dialogues on emerging issues, and leadership forums, as well as integrated trade exhibition. This ensures the event delivers impact and value for all participants. The full programme for the 2026 edition is brought together under the theme of Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity.
Presenter templates
Key dates
Author Notification: 01 April 2026
Author Registration Deadline: 31 May 2026
Event starts: 4 October 2026
Event ends: 8 October 2026
WWCE 2026 Programme
At the heart of the Congress is a comprehensive Technical Programme that is shaped and selected by the global expert Programme Committee. This features more than 100 technical sessions and over 60 workshops across six essential themes.
On top of this, there are agenda-setting forums, keynote plenaries, and cross-cutting sessions and workshops. These are all complemented by the trade exhibition, business forums, technical tours, a utility operations challenge, a fantastic social programme, and more.
Further details will be shared soon. In the meantime, here’s an overview of some of the main forums here.
Presented biennially at the IWA World Water Congress, the awards celebrate excellence and innovation across water management, research, and technology. Winners will be revealed during a special gala event on 6 October 2026 in Glasgow, in front of an international audience of water leaders.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry this year. The evaluation process is currently underway.
About the Awards
The Project Innovation Awards recognise pioneering projects that demonstrate impactful, scalable, and forward-thinking solutions to global water challenges. Categories span utilities, applied research, technology innovation, and performance excellence. Further updates will be shared in the lead-up to the awards ceremony.
Key Dates (Now Closed)
Submission portal opened: 24 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 on 6 October 2026 in Glasgow, in front of an expert audience of water leaders from around the world.
The Women in Water programme is a dedicated core feature of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. Across the five-day event, the programme spans the exhibition floor and features a rich array of activities:
- Panel Events & Talks: Fireside chats and lightning talks focusing on career development and people-centred leadership.
- Skills-Focused Sessions: Practical workshops designed to build belonging and equity across the sector.
- Networking Meet-ups: Dedicated spaces to foster allyship and connect with international voices.
- Technical Tours & Challenges: Opportunities to participate in site visits across the Scottish Water estate and the Operational Challenge.
Call for Topics Submission Extended Deadline: 7 July 2026
Date: 6 & 7 October 2026 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
The Operations Challenge is the key feature of the Exhibition of the IWA World Water Congress – a flagship experience led by Skewb and Capgemini, designed to showcase operational skills now and in the future. If you’re interested in taking part, register your interest now to secure your place.
Deadline for Expression of Interest: Monday, 3 August 2026
Important Update!
Please note that Cultural Event tickets are paid add-ons and are available for purchase through our event registration portal shortly.
If you have already registered for the event, please log back into your registration using your original details. Once logged in, you will have the option to add them to your existing registration.
We will notify all registered delegates by email too — so keep an eye on your inbox!
Tickets are limited to 500 guests – early booking recommended.
Event details:
| Date: | Wednesday, 7th October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 7:00pm onwards |
| Venue: | Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow |
This event is open to Congress delegates only.
Important Update!
Please note that Gala Dinner tickets are paid add-ons and are available for purchase through our event registration portal shortly.
If you have already registered for the event, please log back into your registration using your original details. Once logged in, you will have the option to add them to your existing registration.
We will notify all registered delegates by email too — so keep an eye on your inbox!
Event details:
| Date: | Thursday, 8th October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 7:00pm onwards |
| Venue: | Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow |
| Dress Code | Smart (comfortable) |
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
Participants can choose among a range of different excursions and site visits in and around Glasgow. More information on how to reserve the tours, any additional costs and precise dates for each tour will be confirmed soon – watch this space for updates.
Overarching Congress technical programme themes:
- Water Utility Management
- Wastewater and Resource Recovery
- Drinking Water and Potable Reuse
- City-scale Planning & Operations
- Communities, Communication & Partnership
- Water Resources & Sustainable Development
Some of the topics set to be on the technical programme:
- Circular economy approaches, resource recovery and reuse
- PFAS and other water quality challenges
- Net-zero and carbon neutral urban water services
- Wastewater surveillance
- The role of digital technologies (AI, IoT)
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Nature-based solutions
- Decentralised water and sanitation treatment solutions
- Water quality monitoring and early warning systems
- Resilience planning across the water cycle