International Water Association

09/06/2026

Voting is now open for the IWA YWP Steering Committee 2026–2028, the representative body that helps shape opportunities, professional development, connections and engagement for Young Water Professionals across the IWA network.

If you are an active IWA member aged 35 or below, take the opportunity to review the candidates' profiles and vote for the individuals who will represent and empower the global YWP community over the next two years.

🗳️ Voting closes on 12 June 2026

Make your voice count and help shape the future of the IWA YWP Community.

Learn more: https://www.iwa-network.org/news/voting-for-iwa-young-water-professionals-steering-committee-2026-2028

08/06/2026

Groundwater sustains communities, ecosystems and economies, yet it remains one of the least understood parts of the water cycle.

Join the first webinar in the Groundwater – The Invisible Lifeline series to explore groundwater as a dynamic, living system and gain a deeper understanding of its role in shaping water security and sustainability.

The session will feature Dr Himanshu Kulkarni, Founder Trustee of ACWADAM, India, a leading expert in groundwater science and management. Drawing on decades of experience, he will share lessons from India and insights into the complex relationship between groundwater, society and the environment.

📅 9 June 2026
🕦 11:30 BST

Learn more: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/understanding-groundwater-the-hidden-system-lessons-from-india

08/06/2026

🚨 Early bird registration is open for the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 in Glasgow, UK

Join thousands of water professionals, utility leaders, researchers, innovators, policymakers, and young professionals from around the world as we come together under the theme:

💧 Water Action – The Path to Resilience and Prosperity

From groundbreaking technical sessions and workshops to inspiring keynote speakers, leadership forums, innovation showcases, technical tours, the Operations Challenge, Women in Water events, Gala Dinner, and more — this is where the future of water takes shape.

📅 4–8 October 2026
📍 Glasgow, UK

Explore over 100 technical sessions, 60+ workshops, cutting-edge technologies, and unparalleled networking opportunities across six critical themes shaping the global water agenda.

Register now for discounted rates: https://ow.ly/pM3t50Z85zh

05/06/2026

Introducing the IWA Global Utilities Summit.

A new global platform created by and for utilities.

With the first edition hosted in Hong Kong, the Summit will bring together senior utility professionals from around the world to exchange ideas, explore emerging solutions and tackle the challenges shaping the future of water, wastewater and stormwater services.

The New Global Home for Water Utilities.

Discover more and join us in Hong Kong.

05/06/2026

🚨 The future of water leadership starts NOW.

Applications are open for the second cohort of the IWA LeaP Leadership Programme for Young Water Professionals — and we are looking for the next generation of bold, purpose-driven leaders ready to shape the future of water. 🌍

IWA LeaP is more than a leadership programme. It is a transformative 12-month journey designed to empower exceptional Young Water Professionals to grow their confidence, expand their influence, and drive meaningful change across the global water sector.

✨ Connect with a diverse international cohort
✨ Strengthen your leadership purpose and impact
✨ Learn to lead in complex and fast-changing environments
✨ Build lifelong professional networks across the IWA community
✨ Take part in an immersive leadership retreat and contribute to the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia

If you are a passionate Young Water Professional ready to challenge yourself, elevate your leadership, and help shape a more resilient water future — this is your moment.

📅 Applications close: 12 June 2026

🚀 Apply now and take the leap into leadership: https://www.iwa-network.org/iwa-groups/iwa-leap-leadership-programme

04/06/2026

Billions of people still lack access to safe sanitation — and progress is not moving fast enough.

At the same time, new and proven solutions are emerging — from decentralised systems to innovative financing and delivery models — showing that sanitation can be delivered differently, and at scale.

The IWA Global Sanitation Summit 2027 will focus on what matters most: implementation and impact — bringing together governments, utilities, development practitioners, financiers and solution providers to help move sanitation from pilot to scale, and from discussion to action.

If you are working to improve access, strengthen services, or enable solutions at scale, this is a platform for you.

🔗 Learn more and sign up for the updates: https://www.iwa-network.org/events/iwa-global-sanitation-summit-2027

04/06/2026

Urban sanitation is at a turning point.

The new IWA discussion paper on Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) reminds us that progress is real, but the challenge remains urgent. Since 2015, urban safely managed sanitation coverage has increased from 59% to 66%, yet more than 1.6 billion people in urban areas still lack safely managed sanitation services.

CWIS offers a practical way forward: treating sanitation not simply as infrastructure, but as a public service that must reach everyone regardless of income, geography, or technology choice.

One of the report’s strongest messages is that CWIS has helped shift the sector from fragmented projects toward stronger governance, clearer institutional responsibilities, accountability, and service delivery across the full sanitation chain.

The next step is clear: we need to move faster from acceptance to implementation.

That means:

-Stronger public institutions
-Inclusive planning
-Financing that supports long-term services
-Climate-resilient systems
-Practical tools that cities and utilities can apply

Sanitation for all will not be achieved through infrastructure alone. It will require systems, institutions, and sustained leadership.

To find out more, read the report: https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/987/Citywide-Inclusive-Sanitation-CWIS-Current-status

03/06/2026

What can water sector leaders learn from major reform experiences around the world?

Join the upcoming webinar, co-organised by IWA and LIS-Water, with the participation of the World Bank Group. to explore leadership lessons from water sector transformations in England & Wales, Brazil, the Philippines and Malaysia. Through real-world case studies, the session will examine governance, regulation, utility transformation and the leadership challenges behind successful reform.

📅 17 June 2026 | 14:00 BST

Learn more: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/sector-reform-in-the-real-world-leadership-lessons-from-water-sector-transformations

02/06/2026

Young people are shaping the future of water and climate action. 🌍💧

In this latest IWA blog, Vincenzo Pelagalli, Secretary of the IWA YWP Italy Chapter, reflects on perspectives shared during European Youth Week 2026 and the importance of meaningful youth participation in driving sustainable solutions and inclusive decision-making across the water sector.

Read more: https://www.iwa-network.org/blogs/perspectives-for-youth-participation-at-the-european-youth-week-2026

On 24 April, I had the privilege of representing the International Water Association (IWA) Young Water Professionals (YWP) community at the kick-off event of the European Youth Week 2026 (EYW2026) in Brussels, joining more than 1,000 young participants from across Europe. This opportunity was made p...

02/06/2026

🎓💧 How can Young Water Professionals bridge the gap between academia and industry?

Join the next IWA YWP Get-Together – Career Skills Session 5 for an interactive online discussion on turning knowledge into real-world impact.

This session will explore how YWPs can navigate the different priorities, timelines, and communication styles across academia and industry — and build stronger pathways for collaboration in the water sector.

Participants will gain practical insights on:
✅ Partnership models and co-creation approaches
✅ Communicating across sectors
✅ Strengthening the visibility and applicability of their work
✅ Building confidence to collaborate between academia and industry
✅ Learning from lived experiences and real-world examples

📅 5 June 2026
🕑 14:00 BST

Be part of this global YWP conversation and take the next step in your career journey within the IWA network.

Register now: https://www.iwa-network.org/learn/ywp-get-together-career-skills-session-5