A Fresh Water Future Conference 2026

About This Event

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) runs this two-day conference on 9-10 November 2026 at The Spine in Liverpool. Supported by British Water, the event is designed for water and environment professionals across the UK sector. Various ticket rates are available. The conference shifts from previous years' focus on what needs to change to how reforms will be delivered in practice, following the Independent Water Commission's proposals, the Water White Paper, and forthcoming Clean Water Bill.The programme covers five themes: water reform implementation, planning for 6 billion litres per day by 2055, delivery tools and partnerships, water quality standards, and nature-based solutions in water management. Confirmed speakers include Chris Whitty (Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Social Care), Lucy Ryan (Director of Water Systems Reform, DEFRA), Alan Lovell (Chair, Environment Agency), Jo Harrison (United Utilities), Mark Lloyd (The Rivers Trust), Annabelle Ong (Frontier Economics), and Amina Aboobakar (The Rivers Trust).This conference matters to SMEs and sustainability leads working in or with the water sector because it addresses the practical challenges of implementing regulatory reform at pace and scale. Sessions on climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and public engagement offer insights relevant to consultancies, supply chain companies, land managers, and infrastructure operators managing water-related risks and opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• How water sector reforms move from policy to on-the-ground delivery
• Planning for growth and climate resilience in water supply
• Practical tools and partnerships for public engagement in water management
• Standards and approaches for improving water quality
• Embedding nature-based solutions in water management practice

Who Should Attend

• Water and wastewater companies and their supply chains
• Consultancies supporting water and environmental management
• Policymakers, regulators, and local government officers
• Land managers, nature conservation organisations, and infrastructure operators from water-using sectors