Industrial Water Solutions Comes to Chicago in 2026 to Power the Circular Water Economy

Registration is now open for Industrial Water Solutions: Powering the Circular Water Economy, presented by the WateReuse Association and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), taking place June 8 -10, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s technical sessions include industry-specific deep dives on implementing circular strategies across AI and data centers, critical materials, food and beverage, and automotive sectors.

Now in its second year, the Industrial Water Solutions (IWS) conference convenes business leaders, utility professionals, policymakers, and technical experts to explore how circular water strategies can help industry recover resources, minimize waste, and unlock new value from water across the industrial lifecycle.

Advancing Practical, Circular Water Solutions

This year’s conference features a mix of interactive workshops, technical and strategic sessions, facility tours, and peer-to-peer discussions that highlight scalable approaches to industrial water reuse and circular water system design.

Workshops, Sessions, and Tours Rooted in Real-World Application

The conference opens on Monday, June 8, with hands-on, half-day workshops that dive deeply into reuse strategies across multiple industrial sectors. Participants will explore pathways for transitioning from linear water use to circular systems that prioritize waste reduction, resource recovery, and long-term system resilience. Workshops are designed to be highly interactive, featuring facilitated discussions and practical case examples.
Attendees may also participate in guided facility tours showcasing water and sustainability leadership in the Chicago area, including:

• Stickney Water Reclamation Plant
• Shedd Aquarium
• Loyola University School of Environmental Sustainability

Tours provide an up-close look at innovative approaches to sustainable water management, offering insights that connect theory to on-the-ground practice.

Industry-Led Dialogue on the Future of Water Reuse

The primary conference program on June 9–10 brings together leaders from industry, utilities, government, and the global water community for a series of waterside chats, moderated panels, and concurrent technical sessions.
Program themes include:

• Scaling industrial water reuse
• Circular water economy frameworks
• Data centers, AI, and advanced manufacturing
• Public-private partnerships
• Water-energy nexus challenges
• Financing and governance models
• Global perspectives on industrial water solutions

In addition to structured sessions, IWS 2026 emphasizes networking and collaborative learning, with extended breaks, shared meals, and facilitated roundtable discussions designed to spark candid conversation and lasting connections.

Supporting the Water Workforce of the Future

Co-located during Industrial Water Solutions will be the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize National Competition and Awards Ceremony. A cohort of high-school-aged scientists who have developed water-related research will gather on-site to gain exposure to water industry careers. A national winner will be selected to represent the USA at the international competition, held during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize, awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation, is the world’s most prestigious prize awarded to a high school-aged student for water science.

Register Now and Save

Early Bird registration is available until April 17 for Industrial Water Solutions: Powering the Circular Water Economy. Professionals across industry, utilities, consulting, technology, academia, and government are encouraged to attend.

More information on registration, programming, and tour availability can be found at www.IWSConference.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alyson Moses, WEF Managing Director, Marketing and Communications, (954) 562-7023 | amoses@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.

 

About the WateReuse Assocation
The WateReuse Association is a national nonprofit trade association representing utilities, businesses, developers, and organizations dedicated to advancing water reuse in the United States. WateReuse works to grow the acceptance and implementation of water recycling through advocacy, education, collaboration, and thought leadership, supporting safe and sustainable water supplies nationwide.