ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Sept. 28, 2026 – WEFTEC 2026, the Water Environment Federation (WEF’s) premier annual technical exhibition and conference, opens this week in New Orleans with a call to embrace curiosity as a catalyst for innovation.
More than 23,000 water professionals, exhibitors, and industry leaders are expected to attend WEFTEC 2026.
This year’s event brings together the global water community to explore the ideas, technologies, partnerships, and workforce innovations seeking to solve the world’s toughest water challenges, with special emphasis on the Circular Water Economy and developing the next generation of water professionals.
Opening General Session Highlights Curiosity as a Catalyst for Innovation
Great Hall Foyer
The Opening General Session officially launches WEFTEC 2026 with remarks from WEF leadership and a keynote presentation from innovation strategist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Diana Kander.
Kander will challenge attendees to rethink one of the water sector’s greatest assets: expertise. While technical knowledge remains essential, Kander asserts that the organizations best positioned to succeed amid rapid change are those that continue to question assumptions, embrace continuous learning, and cultivate curiosity.
Technical Program and Education
WEFTEC’s technical program is built by a passionate, dedicated team of more than 200 volunteers who carefully review and curate every session. With more than 135 technical sessions, the program is one of the most wide-ranging and well-rounded educational offerings in the industry. This year’s program includes more than 20 sessions focused on artificial intelligence, exploring topics ranging from utility operations and predictive analytics to workforce development and responsible AI adoption. Together with programming at the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence, these sessions provide attendees with opportunities to explore both the practical applications of AI and the broader Water-AI connection.
WEF Leads the Transformation to the Circular Water Economy
Hall D, Booth 2659
The Circular Water Economy Pavilion showcases how utilities and industries are transforming traditional water management through the principles of Reduce, Recover, and Regenerate. Educational sessions and exhibitor presentations will feature real-world examples of water reuse, potable reuse, nutrient recovery, energy generation, drinking water innovation, and other solutions that position water as a renewable asset.
As WEF leads the transition to a Circular Water Economy, attendees will learn how circular strategies can deliver environmental benefits while unlocking significant economic value for communities and utilities.
New Workforce Hub Invests in Water’s Future
Hall I1, Booth 8239
New for 2026, the Workforce Hub, sponsored by Raftelis and Jacobs, serves as an interactive destination dedicated to workforce development, operator excellence, and professional growth.
Through live demonstrations, networking opportunities, short-format presentations, and hands-on learning experiences, attendees can explore career pathways, leadership development opportunities, workforce innovation strategies, and practical skills needed to support the future of water.
The Workforce Hub complements WEF’s broader commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining the next generation of water professionals.
WEF Community Hub: Bringing Together WEF Members, the Heart of the Water Community
Hall G, Booth 6322
The WEF Community Hub serves as a gathering place for WEF members, volunteers, and water professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and learn how to become more engaged in the water community.
Attendees can discover volunteer opportunities, learn more about WEF membership, meet fellow professionals, and even customize a water-inspired T-shirt printed onsite. The WEF Community Hub reflects one of WEF’s greatest strengths: building a community united by a shared commitment to protecting public health and the environment.
Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence Advances Collaboration
Hall G, Booth 6310
As the Water-AI Nexus™ Center of Excellence enters its second year, it continues to advance as a global hub for knowledge, collaboration, and innovation at the intersection of water and artificial intelligence. Through discussions focused on both AI for Water and Water for AI, attendees will explore how artificial intelligence can improve utility operations, workforce development, resilience, and infrastructure planning while also helping ensure that AI infrastructure uses water resources efficiently and sustainably.
The initiative brings together founding leaders WEF, Amazon, The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Leading Utilities of the World, along with an expanding Advisory Council including more than 20 organizations representing utilities, technology companies, engineering firms, academia, and water sector associations. Together, they are advancing practical solutions, responsible innovation, and sustainable water management in the AI era.
Students and Young Professionals Find Community and Career Opportunities
Career Fair: Hall D, Booth 151
For students and young professionals, WEFTEC is more than a place to learn about the latest trends and technologies in water. It is an opportunity to connect with future employers, build relationships with peers and industry leaders, explore volunteer opportunities, and discover pathways for long-term career growth. Through programs like the Students and Young Professionals Career Fair, networking events, and community meetings, attendees can expand their professional networks and gain valuable insights into careers across the water sector.
Global Innovation on Display
Hall F, Booth 4200
Sponsored by WSP, the International Pavilion and Global Hub bring global perspectives, technologies, and expertise together in one destination on the WEFTEC exhibition floor. With water professionals from more than 70 countries attending WEFTEC, the pavilion offers attendees an opportunity to connect with international peers, explore innovative solutions, and learn how communities around the world are addressing shared water challenges.
The International Pavilion features seven country and regional pavilions representing 54 participating companies from around the globe, while the Global Hub serves as a gathering place for international programming, networking, and collaboration. Through presentations, panel discussions, and networking events, attendees can explore global approaches to water innovation, resilient infrastructure, partnerships, and sustainable water management.
Industry Experts Shine on Green and Blue Stages
Green Stage: Hall G, Booth 5849
Blue Stage: Hall H, Booth 7249
The new Green and Blue Stages offer attendees additional opportunities to learn directly from exhibitors and industry experts through presentations focused on emerging technologies, industry trends, operational best practices, and innovative solutions shaping the future of water. Sessions will address some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including infrastructure planning, stormwater management, automation, collection systems, resilience, and asset management.
Designed to deliver practical, real-world insights, the stages feature case studies, proven strategies, and technology demonstrations that attendees can apply within their own organizations.
New Utility Pavilion Empowers Utilities to Solve Shared Challenges
Hall G, Booth 6156, 6157, 6158, 6159, 6256, 6257, 6259, 6356, 6358
The new Utility Pavilion brings public water and wastewater utilities together in a collaborative space designed to foster peer learning, innovation, and partnership. Through conversations with utility leaders, interactive exhibits, and engagement with solution providers, attendees can explore how utilities are addressing some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including aging infrastructure, workforce development, regulatory compliance, resilience, and sustainability.
The Utility Pavilion highlights the value of collaboration in advancing practical solutions and strengthening the water sector’s ability to meet evolving community needs.
Innovation Pavilions Showcase What’s Next in Water
Hall B, Booth 251
For attendees looking to discover emerging technologies, breakthrough ideas, and the next generation of water solutions, WEFTEC offers several destinations focused on innovation and industry advancement.
The Innovation Pavilion features the Innovation Showcase, presented by WEF, BlueTech Research, and Imagine H2O, highlighting cutting-edge technologies and initiatives addressing critical water and wastewater challenges. Within the pavilion, the Discovery Zone provides a platform for startups and first-time exhibitors to connect with utilities, investors, technology leaders, and other key decision-makers while showcasing promising new solutions.
Operations Challenge: The Ultimate Skills Showdown
Hall I2, Booth 8739
Affectionately called the “Sewage Superbowl,” Operations Challenge remains one of WEFTEC’s most anticipated events. Now in its 39th year, the competition brings together 60 teams from 26 Member Associations, including international competitors from Canada and the United Kingdom.
The road to WEFTEC begins with qualifying competitions held throughout the spring, culminating in a championship showdown where the best teams test their abilities in five events modeled after real-world wastewater operations, including laboratory analysis, process control, collections systems, maintenance, and safety. Operations Challenge highlights the expertise, leadership, and teamwork of the operators who protect public health and safeguard water quality every day.
Plan Your WEFTEC Experience
Attendees can stay informed, connected, and organized throughout the week by downloading the WEF Events mobile app and using the online planner. These tools provide access to the latest schedules, exhibitor information, session details, maps, and event updates, helping attendees make the most of their WEFTEC experience.
Contact: Trinity Foreman, WEF Director, Communications, tforeman@wef.org
About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization providing water professionals with the latest in education and training. WEF is leading the transformation to the Circular Water Economy: reducing waste, recovering resources, and regenerating ecosystems. Founded in 1928, WEF’s mission is to inspire its 31,000 members and 75 affiliated member organizations and the water community in pursuit of human and environmental wellbeing. WEFTEC, WEF’s premiere event, is the largest annual water quality exhibition in North America attracting a diverse, global audience. More than 23,000 registrants and 1,000 exhibitors convene at WEFTEC to experience innovative solutions and gain expert insights that positively impact the future of water. For more information, visit wef.org.