Water utilities are being asked to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable services in an operating environment defined by rapid and overlapping change.
Climate extremes, cyber and geopolitical risks, ageing infrastructure, supply-chain pressures, workforce constraints and major investment requirements are reshaping how utilities plan, operate and lead.
These challenges will be at the centre of the 2026 IWA Utility Leaders Forum. Under the theme “Infrastructure futures: leading through disruption,” the Forum will engage senior utility leaders from around the world for a practice-driven exchange on resilience, infrastructure, partnerships and leadership transformation.
“The Utility Leaders Forum is where utility leaders’ conversations matter most. We’ll share practical insights, build lasting partnerships and strengthen our collective ability to deliver better water services for the communities we serve,” says William Fernandes, Deputy General Manager at Toronto Water and IWA Board member.
Created by utility leaders for utility leaders, the Forum is designed to provide an open and highly participatory environment in which delegates can discuss challenges, solutions and future ambitions.
“It has been a privilege to chair the IWA Utility Leaders Forum, and for Glasgow, we as a planning committee felt strongly that it should be an inclusive, forward-thinking space created specifically for utility leaders,” says Fionn Boyle, Programme Director at Alpheus Environmental.
“Its value lies in bringing peers together for candid, high-quality exchanges that are difficult to have elsewhere. Leaders can share experiences openly, test their thinking with others who understand the realities of running a utility, and build trusted relationships across countries and organisations. For anyone helping to shape the future of a utility, this is a conversation for you.”
The Forum will examine how utilities can become more resilient and adaptive while preparing for future infrastructure needs.
Joseph Danyluk, Director for OneWater at Jacobs, highlights the scale and interconnectedness of the pressures now facing the sector.
“Water utilities must navigate climate extremes, geopolitical and cyber risks, supply chain constraints, workforce gaps and unprecedented investment cycles, all while maintaining public trust and delivering essential services that protect public health and the environment. IWA’s Utility Leaders Forum creates a space for open conversations on challenges that transcend borders. The collaboration and engagement at the Forum advance an integrated, One Water approach to water management and strengthen our sector’s commitment to a resilient water future for all,” he says.
While adapting to disruption is essential, the Forum’s PC emphasise that successful utilities must go further. They must actively tailor their organisations, infrastructure systems and partnerships to suit the needs of the communities they serve.
“Great utilities do not simply adapt to change, they shape the future through purposeful leadership, bold innovation, and partnerships that improve lives,” says Rose Kaggwa, Senior Director at Uganda’s NWSC and IWA Senior Vice President.
This leadership challenge extends beyond technology and physical infrastructure. It includes developing the future workforce, strengthening organisational culture, building public trust and establishing partnerships capable of delivering lasting impact.
By highlighting these diverse international perspectives, the Forum will allow delegates to consider global priorities alongside the regional and local realities affecting individual utilities. The goal is to equip leaders with practical insights, trusted connections and new approaches that can support both immediate decision-making and longer-term transformation.
Participation in the Utility Leaders Forum is limited and by invitation. Utility leaders and relevant stakeholders can request an invitation by completing the Expression of Interest form. More information can be found here: https://www.iwa-network.org/events/2026-utility-leaders-forum
