Water Environment Federation Brings Community Together with Stellar 2026 Events Lineup

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is thrilled to launch its 2026 event line-up, designed to convene water professionals in the spirit of our mission to inspire the larger community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being.

This year’s global training opportunities, summits, and conferences are built to equip the water workforce with the best practices, skills, and resilience needed to meet today’s challenges, whether it’s empowering the workforce, discussing infrastructure needs and best practices, or embracing artificial intelligence. As water, technology, and community needs evolve, WEF continues to lead the transformation to the Circular Water Economy by presenting knowledge, tools and shared learning opportunities through our events, giving people the opportunity to connect, and drive real progress.

2026 WEF Event Highlights

• March 22–24: WEF | AWWA Young Professionals Summit – Charlotte, N.C.
  Kick off the year with the ultimate gathering for emerging water leaders and students! Dive into hands-on training, build powerful networks, and join a movement that’s shaping the future of water. Register here: 2026 YP Summit 2026
• March 23: WEF Finance Summit: Financing the Future of the U.S. Water Sector – Charlotte, N.C. Ready to revolutionize water infrastructure? This inaugural finance summit brings together experts ready to unlock up to $47 billion annually for U.S. utilities and municipalities. Discover innovative funding models, federal resources, and private investment strategies for a resilient, circular water economy. Register here: 2026 Financing the Future of the Water Sector
• March 24–27: WEF | AWWA Utility Management Conference – Charlotte, N.C. Join utility professionals for practical, real-world conversations on how utilities are being funded, staffed, and run in today’s rapidly changing environment. Through case studies, peer exchanges, and hands-on workshops, UMC helps you turn today’s challenges from infrastructure and affordability to workforce and digital tools into smarter, more resilient operations. Register here: WEF/AWWA Utility Management Conference
• April 13–15: National Water Policy Fly-In – Washington, D.C. Shape the future of water policy! Join WEF and other industry association leadership in engaging directly with federal leaders to champion infrastructure investment and advance science-based regulation. Don’t miss Capitol Hill visits, policy forums, and this annual opportunity to make your voice heard and drive change at the national level. Register here: 2026 National Policy Water Fly-In
• WEFMAX Each year, Water Environment Federation leaders, staff and volunteers from WEF member associations around the globe gather at regional WEFMAX events. These exchanges provide the opportunity for great minds throughout the WEF community to come together to tackle challenges, create solutions, and exchange best practices.

Register here:

• April 22–24: Montreal, Canada Register: WEFMAX Montreal
• May 6–8: Pittsburgh, Pa. Register: WEFMAX Pittsburgh
• May 27–29: Bend, Ore. Register: WEFMAX Bend

• May 11–14: WEF Residuals, Biosolids, and Treatment Technology Conference – Kansas City, Mo.
  Join the brightest minds in biosolids and wastewater treatment innovation for peer-reviewed sessions, hands-on workshops, and facility tours. Experience the power of collaboration and discover solutions that bring plant performance to the next level and help drive the transformation to the circular water economy. Call for content: 2026 WEF Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations Conference
• June 8–10: WEF | WateReuse Industrial Water Solutions – Powering the Circular Water Economy – Chicago
  Join business and utility leaders to advance circular water practices: recover resources, minimize waste, and unlock billions in value for communities and organizations nationwide. Call for content: 2026 WEF/WateReuse Industrial Water Solutions
• July 8–11: WEF Collection Systems & Stormwater Conference – Portland, Ore.
  Where infrastructure meets innovation! Explore the latest advances in stormwater and wastewater conveyance and gain insights from the sector leaders driving progress toward a resilient water future. Stay tuned for the call for content and registration details: 2026 WEF Collections Systems & Stormwater Conference
• September 26–30: WEFTEC – Where the Water Community Connects - New Orleans, La.
  Step into the ultimate experience at North America’s largest water sector exhibition! WEFTEC is where the water community connects. This EIC Platinum-certified, sustainability-powered showcase is packed with dynamic education, high-impact networking, and game-changing technologies. Dive into circular water economy principles, the connection between water and AI, global water initiatives, and the latest water innovations. If you want to lead in the water sector, WEFTEC is your must-attend gateway! Call for content open now: 2026 WEFTEC Call for Content

Each WEF event in 2026 is a catalyst for collaboration and progress, convening the water workforce and empowering people to collaborate and deliver solutions for communities everywhere. Mark your calendars, submit your abstracts, and register today. We’ll see you at this year’s events!

Contact: Christy Murphy, cmmurphy@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 20,000 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.