Global Water Awards 2026 Opens Nominations with New AI Category and Expanded Shortlist

The Global Water Awards 2026 has officially opened nominations following a comprehensive rebrand, with submissions accepted until February 27th at 23:59 GMT. This year's awards introduce significant changes including a new artificial intelligence-focused category and an expanded shortlist, creating more opportunities for water professionals to showcase their achievements to a global audience. The awards represent the international water industry's most prestigious recognition program, honoring excellence across 15 categories spanning water, wastewater, technology, and desalination sectors.

Organized by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the awards ceremony will take place during the Global Water Summit in Madrid, where winners will be announced live to industry leaders and professionals. The expanded shortlist represents a strategic enhancement to the program, allowing more organizations and individuals to gain visibility among GWI's audience of over 40,000 readers. This increased exposure has historically translated into significant business opportunities, with many previous shortlisted candidates securing major industry deals following their recognition.

The new AI-focused category reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence applications in water management, treatment, and conservation efforts worldwide. This addition acknowledges the transformative potential of AI technologies in addressing global water challenges and encourages innovation in this rapidly evolving field. Previous winners have included diverse organizations ranging from transnational water management companies and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms to utilities, industrial water users, and not-for-profit water providers. A comprehensive list of past recipients is available at https://globalwaterawards.com/winners.

Nominations are open to all organizations and individuals working in water-related fields, regardless of size or geographic location. The inclusive nature of the awards program ensures that innovative solutions from various sectors can receive recognition and potentially influence industry practices globally. The submission process requires nominations to be entered through a secure portal on the Global Water Awards website at https://globalwaterawards.com/ before the February deadline.

The timing of these expanded opportunities comes at a critical juncture for the global water industry, which faces increasing challenges related to climate change, population growth, and resource management. By highlighting exceptional achievements and innovative approaches, the Global Water Awards 2026 aims to accelerate progress toward sustainable water solutions worldwide. The awards serve not only as recognition for past accomplishments but also as inspiration for future innovations that could address pressing water security issues affecting communities and industries across the globe.