The International Water Association (IWA) is advancing preparations for the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, set to take place at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC) from 4–8 October 2026. The event will welcome the global water community to Scotland, providing a platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing.

As part of the build-up, IWA’s leadership and host country representatives recently met with Glasgow City Council officials at the historic City Chambers. The discussions reinforced the shared commitment to hosting a world-class congress and highlighted Glasgow’s experience as a host of major international events.

Strengthening partnerships ahead of 2026

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “It was a pleasure to meet the International Water Association Board in Glasgow. We are just over one year away from welcoming thousands of participants to the World Water Congress & Exhibition to our wonderful City. The value of water, how we build resilience and how we manage this precious resource within a changing climate, is crucial to everyone’s existence and prosperity. We look forward to hosting this important global Congress in Glasgow.”

IWA President, Hamanth Kasan, added: “IWA has a long history of staging these important events around the world. Following our hugely successful edition in Toronto, Canada, in 2024, we have no doubt that the Congress in Glasgow will be an outstanding success and we look forward to this great opportunity to share insights and build cooperation.”

Kizito Masinde, IWA Global Events Director, emphasised: “Meeting with Glasgow’s city officials was a vital step as we build momentum towards the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. Our goal is to deliver a world-class event that connects the global water community and leaves a positive legacy for the UK water sector. Working hand in hand with Glasgow City Council, we are committed to creating an engaging Congress experience that encourages collaboration and innovation for a sustainable water future.”

Peter Simpson, 2026 Congress President, said: “I am especially proud to see Glasgow preparing to host the 2026 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition. This Congress will shine a spotlight on our capabilities, not least around innovation and resilience, while also creating a vital space for the global water community to exchange knowledge and solutions. Bringing these perspectives together makes the event deeply meaningful — for the UK, and for the global water community.”

Academic and research focus

The IWA delegation also met with leading academics in Glasgow, underlining the role of research and innovation in addressing global water challenges. This collaboration highlights the knowledge and expertise available within the host city and the importance of connecting research with practice on the international stage.

The visit marked a key milestone in advancing preparations and strengthening ties between IWA and Glasgow, ensuring the 2026 event delivers lasting value for both the UK and the wider global water sector.

Quick Reference Links

• International Water Association (IWA)
• Scottish Event Campus (SEC)
• Glasgow City Council

IWA and Glasgow Prepare for 2026 World Water Congress & Exhibition
H2O Team

The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is hosting its fourth annual meeting next week on Wednesday, March 19. Registration for the hour-long virtual meeting is free. Participants will learn about available educational resources, federal legislative updates,  results from its #FlushSmart Crimes of Flushing campaign, and sneak peek into the 2025 Potty Training for Grownups campaign.

WHAT: RFA virtual annual meeting

WHERE / WHEN: Wednesday, March 19 from 10-11 a.m. PDT – registration via Zoom event: https://bit.ly/RegistrationRFA

WHO: #FlushSmart Month 2025 planning is in full swing, and we’re gearing up for an exciting virtual annual meeting!

Join us for this informative hour-long session, where you’ll hear from industry and policy leaders on the latest efforts to promote responsible flushing habits:

• Mandy Ciccarella, RFA Board of Directors Chairwoman – Sharing insights from the wipes industry perspective.
• Sarah Sapirstein, California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Federal Legislative Policy Analyst – Discussing the re-introduction of the federal WIPPES Act, requiring no-flush wipes to carry the Do Not Flush symbol nationally, as well as updates on federal flushability labeling and standards.
• Lara Wyss, RFA President – Recapping the success of the 2024 #FlushSmart campaign, Crimes of Flushing.
• Burson– RFA PR agency partners offering an exclusive sneak peek at the 2025 #FlushSmart campaign, Potty Training for Grownups!

Don’t miss this opportunity to stay on top of industry developments and be part of the movement for smarter flushing. Register now to secure your spot! https://bit.ly/RegistrationRFA

WHY: Improper flushing is a bigger problem than many people realize.

Through RFA’s #FlushSmart campaign, recognition of the Do Not Flush symbol increased from 69% of Californians recognizing it in 2021 to 81% of adults nationally recognizing it in 2024, according to RFA’s annual survey. Additionally, about half (49%) of Americans rely on product packaging to determine if something is flushable or not.

However, 51% of people are still flushing items they know they shouldn’t, making RFA’s education outreach still important. RFA needs your help in promoting smart flushing habits and has free materials (social media static & animation, infographics, children’s activities, etc.) available at www.flushsmart.org.

About Responsible Flushing Alliance

Responsible Flushing Alliance, non-profit organization dedicated to consumer education regarding what should and should not be flushed. Founded in 2020, RFA’s #FlushSmart campaign aims to educate consumers about proper flushing behaviors to help protect the health of our communities and the environment. Go to www.flushsmart.org for more information.

RFA has released its 2024 Annual Report. Check it out to see progress made since 2022! https://bit.ly/2024RFAReport

Responsible Flushing Alliance Opens Registration for its 2025 Annual Meeting to Media, Wastewater Agencies, & Non-Wovens Industry
H2O Team

Washington has more than 300 wastewater treatment plants that play a critical role in protecting water quality in rivers, lakes and Puget Sound. These complex facilities deal with everything homes and businesses flush down the drain. While every facility is unique, they all rely on certified wastewater treatment plant operators for proper operation and maintenance.

Each year, the Washington Department of Ecology honors some of these wastewater treatment plants with the agency’s Outstanding Performance Award for achieving excellent compliance with their water quality permits.

“Wastewater treatment plants provide a critical service to our communities and yet we often don’t think about wastewater unless something goes wrong,” said Vince McGowan, Ecology’s Water Quality program manager. “While the work of wastewater treatment operators is often out of the public view, they deserve a very public ‘thank you’ for their hard work in serving their communities and protecting water quality.”

To determine the awardees, Ecology evaluated wastewater treatment plants on permit conditions such as regularly meeting numeric effluent limits, conducting monitoring, and reporting data as required.

“We’re all so proud of our treatment plant operations team for achieving this milestone award,” said Sarah Lee, board president for Kitsap County Sewer District #7, which operates one of the treatment plants recognized by Ecology. “This award honors our commitment to serving our community and keeping our local waterways clean and safe.”

Consistently meeting the standards for a top performer is an important accomplishment, said Kevin T. Wynn, wastewater director for water and wastewater services for the Newhalem Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is one of two facilities receiving the honor for their 15th consecutive year.

“It is a great accomplishment to receive this award consistently for over a decade and a half, our team always strives for excellence in operations and water quality,” Wynn said.

Ecology is recognizing 118 facilities for their operations in 2023. Here are a few of the award highlights:

• Facilities recognized for the first time: Basin City Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Facility, Fairchild Mobile Home Community Wastewater Treatment Plant, Farmington Wastewater Treatment Facility, Tekoa Wastewater Treatment Facility, Walla Walla Water District No. 2 Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Warden Water Reclamation Facility.
• Facilities receiving their fifth consecutive award: Sunnyside Wastewater Treatment Facility, Alder Lake Park Wastewater Treatment Plant, Alderbrook Resort & Spa Wastewater Treatment Plant, North Bonneville Wastewater Treatment Plant, Satsop Business Park Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sequim Water Reclamation Facility, Everson Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kitsap County Sewer District #7 Wastewater Treatment Plant, Crescent Bar Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Clarkston Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Facilities receiving their 15th consecutive awards: Newhalem Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wishram Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Facilities that have been recognized at least 20 times: Chambers Creek, Discovery Clean Water Alliance Salmon Creek, Eatonville, Lake Mayfield, Manchester, Vancouver Marine Park, Newhalem, Port Townsend, and Vancouver Westside.

See the full list of recipients 

Be a part of the solution

With the state’s growing population, more wastewater treatment plant operators are needed. If you have experience as, or working for, a plumber, welder, machinist, mechanic, laboratory technician, engineer, or as an operator at a similar facility, you might have the right type of experience for this work. Ecology’s certification program for wastewater operators website has more information.

118 wastewater treatment plants across Washington receive Ecology award
H2O Team

Aqua Enviro invites industry professionals, researchers, and experts to contribute their insights and discoveries to the 29^th European Biosolids and Bioresources Conference and Exhibition (EBBC). The Call for Abstracts invites submissions from individuals and organizations working in areas such as anaerobic digestion, resource recovery, circular economy, process emissions, environmental sustainability, and more. Abstracts are encouraged to focus on innovative research, case studies, practical applications, and emerging trends within the biosolids and bioresources domain.

Taking place on 19-20^th November in Manchester and online, this is the UK’s principal gathering for professionals and stakeholders involved in the biosolids and bioresources sector. The annual event is a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing the latest advances, technologies and best practice in the field.

Matthew Smyth, Chair of the EBBC Organising Committee, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event: “The European Biosolids and Bioresources Conference focusses on the pressing challenges facing our industry and practical examples of how we’re tackling them. We’re excited to see the diverse perspectives and insights that will be shared through the Call for Abstracts.”

Submissions are welcomed on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Measuring & mitigating process emissions – methane and more
• Landbank challenges – PFAS, nitrogen and phosphorus, antimicrobial resistance
• Maximising anaerobic digestion capacity, performance and the value of biogas
• Advanced Thermal Conversion (ATC) processes – char and non char processes
• Advances in thickening, dewatering and liquor treatment technologies
• Realising circular economy opportunities – leveraging the value of technologies (e.g. cellulose, hydrogen)

Abstract submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process by a panel of experts in the field. Accepted abstracts will be presented as oral presentations or posters during the conference programme, providing presenters with a valuable opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience of industry professionals, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders.

The deadline for abstract submissions is 7^th June and notifications of acceptance will be sent out by 19^th July. For more information on abstract submission guidelines and conference registration, please visit the official EBBC website at www.european-biosolids.com

European Biosolids and Bioresources Conference and Exhibition Announces Call for Abstracts
H2O Team

The Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the rest of the lineup for the 2024 Clean Water Conversation Series. These monthly webinars are free and open to the public. The series spotlights the collaborative endeavors of the state and its partners aimed at enhancing Vermont’s water quality.

“The past three Clean Water Conversations were excellent learning opportunities for the public on how clean water efforts in Vermont support the state’s flood and climate priorities,” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “The rest of the series will highlight even more of these efforts.”

Register or find more information on the following scheduled CWIP Clean Water Conversation Series webinars.

Partner Panel: Clean Water Projects Improving Flood Resilience

Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Join Brattleboro Housing Partnerships, the Connecticut River Conservancy, the Vermont River Conservancy, and the Two River Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission as they discuss successful clean water projects enhancing flood resilience.

Vermont Climate and Water Quality Connections

Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Learn from Vermont State Climatologist Dr. Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux about the connection between climate change and water quality in Vermont.

Agriculture, Water Quality, and Climate Resilience

Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Join Ryan Patch and Nina Gage from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets as they discuss the intersection of improving water quality and climate resilience on farms in Vermont.

American Rescue Plan Act-Funded Clean Water Projects Panel

Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Learn how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in Vermont are invested to support clean water. Join DEC staff as they discuss past and present ARPA-funded clean water projects and initiatives, including wastewater pretreatment, the 3-acre Permit Obtainment Assistance Program, and the Green Schools Initiative.

To request accommodations to attend a talk, email ANR.CleanWaterVT@Vermont.gov. Use “Clean Water Conversation Series Accommodations Request” as the subject line.

Vermont DEC Announces Spring and Summer Clean Water Conversation Series
H2O Team

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Spring Conference & Expo May 8-9 will draw local water agency leaders from throughout California to Sacramento for updates, analyses and perspectives on multiple issues affecting the state’s water community.

Panel discussions will explore critical challenges facing the state, including climate extremes, groundwater sustainability, water use efficiency regulations, financing water infrastructure projects and Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta water management.

Keynote speakers will include California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) President and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who served as California Chief Justice between 2011 and 2022.

A conference brochure with more information is available online.

ACWA Spring Conference Explores Top California Water Issues
H2O Team

The Water Council has opened its spring Tech Challenge with topics chosen by industry leaders to help solve challenges in the water sector.

The semi-annual Tech Challenge is open to anyone with a novel solution for the selected topics, including researchers, individuals, entrepreneurs, startups and established companies. This session’s topics, selected by program sponsors A. O. Smith Corporation, Badger Meter and Watts Water Technologies, are:

• Water quality sensors for hardness, scale and biofilm monitoring in pipe networks
• Water quality sensors for phosphate, ammonia and other nutrients

Participants compete for a prize of up to $10,000 and, more importantly, the chance to get their innovation in front of leading water technology companies with the potential for further partnership down the road. All finalists present directly to research and development representatives from the sponsor companies.

Applications are due May 19. Visit thewatercouncil.com/TechChallenge for more information.

Since launching the Tech Challenge in 2019, The Water Council has awarded $180,000 in funding to 18 innovators from nine countries. The fall 2023 Tech Challenge received a record number of submissions from eight countries.

“The Tech Challenge allows The Water Council to do what we do best – identify solutions, encourage water innovation and make connections that help the entire water technology sector thrive,” said Karen Frost, The Water Council vice president of economic development and innovation.

The Water Council Opens Spring Tech Challenge
H2O Team

The 30^th anniversary event of the Water Africa exhibition and seminar series, which is co-located with West Africa Building & Construction, takes place in Ghana on 26-28 June 2024.

To meet the UN sustainable development goals on water & sanitation and infrastructure & innovation, investment is driving growth in the African market for services, equipment and materials for water storage, treatment and distribution, as well as sewage collection, treatment and transport and flood management.

Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction provide a platform to connect with all stakeholders, and promote effective and efficient technologies, equipment and services in Ghana and throughout the African continent. The event aligns with the Ghanaian government’s goals for water and sanitation, and benefits from ACE Event Management’s international network of connections, built up over 30 years.

Supporters of the event include Ghana’s Ministry of Sanitation & Water Resources, Ministry of Works & Housing and Ghana Water Company.

A high-level three-day seminar programme will include presentations from senior leaders in academia, research and industry, along with workshops to enhance practical skills. Visitors include national and local government officials, utility leaders, engineering consultants and contractors, equipment manufacturers and suppliers and representatives from funding agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The 2024 event will be held at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction
H2O Team

Robbie Moore MP, UK government minister for water, has addressed the demand gap in resources during his keynote address at British Water’s International Reception, which took place in London on 19 February 2024. He called for greater collaboration and innovation in finding solutions.

“Growing demand for water and more intensive periods of drought are projected to create a supply-demand gap if we don’t improve water efficiency and invest in new water resource infrastructure,” said Moore  “In England, the Environment Agency’s review of draft regional resource plans found that by 2050 an additional 4,000 million litres of water per day is needed to meet future demand pressures.”

Moore said tackling this issue must be delivered through a combination of demand management measures, such reducing leakage and lowering consumption, with regulation also playing a key role. The UK Government has set new legally binding targets to reduce the use of public water supply in England by 20% per person by 2038 and halve leakage by 2050.

The world is facing an imminent water crisis, with demand expected to outstrip the supply of fresh water by 40% by the end of this decade, according to a landmark report ‘Turning the Tides’, published last year by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.

Further highlighting the urgent need for proactive and ambitious approaches to water management, British Water’s reception also drew attention to the issue of the gender gap in water.

Gender diversity in the water sector is crucial for improved business performance, representation of the customer base, and a greater combination of skills across the workforce. However, according to a recent report from global consultancy McKinsey, in the UK just 17% of the energy and utilities workforce are women – around two-thirds less than in the overall UK workforce.

As part of its ongoing work to improve diversity in the water sector, British Water signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the WaterRising Institute of the USA at the reception. The MoU agrees to partner on the WaterWoman Project, which aims to accelerate gender parity in water management, addressing the urgent need for a gender-inclusive, water-positive approach to solving the water crisis.

Also at the reception, the Water Alliance, a Dutch water technology membership organisation, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in London signed a private-public partnership to work together to facilitate collaboration between Dutch and British Water technology companies to help solve water challenges in the UK.

Since 2013, British Water’s International Reception has been held with three objectives – to help grow UK exports; to raise the international profile of the UK Water Industry and its ecosystem, which British Water represents; and to encourage the sharing of best practices.

Speaking after the reception, Lila Thompson, British Water’s chief executive said, “Tackling water issues such as the demand gap and the lack of diversity and inclusion effectively requires a global approach that transcends national borders. By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, the international water community can ensure sustainable water management for all, addressing this critical challenge with a united front.”

Resource demand gap requires investment, says water minister
H2O Team

At the British Water Micropollutants Conference 2024, which took place in London on 8 February, keynote speakers from the UK’s Environment Agency called for a cross-industry approach to tackling the issue.

John Collins, deputy director of evidence assessment and evaluation at the Environment Agency, said that despite having one of the most robust pollutant testing systems globally, rapid investment in innovation is needed to detect all sources of contamination from both established and newly emerging pollutants.

Speaking after the event, Collins said, “One of the key questions the Environment Agency and other regulators face is how to prioritise chemicals for targeted monitoring and management.

“The Environment Agency is exploring innovative sampling and analytical techniques to monitor a greater number of chemicals for ecological risk assessment. Simultaneously, we are using our existing chemical monitoring data to ensure we continue to monitor the right chemicals, in the right place, at the right time.”

In a joint keynote with Matt Womersley, manager of the chemicals strategic & regulatory planning team at the Environment Agency, Collins outlined the current situation in the UK, including investment in research, advancing treatment technologies and the use of nature-based solutions. The speakers also gave an overview of the existing and future legislative drivers that will be critical in preventing the release of micropollutants into the environment.

Innovative solutions

Speakers explored the scientific evidence base and how regulation of micropollutants is evolving in the UK and across the EU. Some of the most innovative technologies and solutions in micropollutant removal were presented at the conference, including:

• Recycling of spent activated carbon used in the removal of PFAS – CPL Activated Carbons
• Innovative UV technology – Van RemmenUV Technology
• Sustainable micropollutant removal with the BO3-technology – Royal HaskoningDHV
• Ozone and granular activated carbon – maximising synergistic effects – Veolia UK Water Technologies & Solutions
• The use of superfine adsorbents to reduce cost – Mecana Umwelttechnik

Green technologies

The potential of nature-based solutions was discussed by Luisa Orsini, co-founder & chief executive, Daphne Water Solutions, and Cynthia Carliell-Marquet, innovation architect at Severn Trent, reviewed how waterfleas, known as Daphnia, can be harnessed to remove pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals from wastewater, providing a low-cost and low-carbon treatment method with minimal toxic byproducts.

Prevention at source

Addressing micropollutants in water requires a shift towards preventing their release in the first place, involving collaboration across industries including paramedical and agriculture, stronger regulations, and international cooperation. A panel discussion hosted by Dr Pablo Campo, explored how the pharmaceutical industry can play a significant role in tackling micropollutant contamination by investing in research, adopting advanced treatment technologies and collaborating with other stakeholders.

Stewart Owen, principal environmental scientist at AstraZeneca, spoke from a pharmaceutical industry perspective, highlighting current collaborations with universities and research institutions aimed at developing environmentally friendly drugs and production processes.

Reflecting on the conference, British Water chief executive Lila Thompson said, “Tackling micropollutants demands a multifaceted approach including research and innovation, collaboration, technology adoption, and nature-based solutions, with collective responsibility across government, industry, and society. As events like this show, the water sector and wider supply chain stands ready to work in collaboration with key stakeholders in the UK and globally to tackle this important issue.”

Innovation would help find more chemicals in water
H2O Team