The Global Water Awards 2026 nominations are now open until February 27th, 23:59 GMT, following a rebrand of the prestigious program. This year's awards introduce a new artificial intelligence-focused category and an expanded shortlist, creating more opportunities for water professionals to showcase their achievements to a global audience.
Organized by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the awards recognize excellence across 15 categories spanning water, wastewater, technology, and desalination sectors. These honors represent the international water industry's most respected recognition, with previous winners including transnational water management companies, investors, engineering-procurement-construction firms, utilities, industrial water users, and not-for-profit water providers. Many shortlisted candidates have secured significant business deals following their recognition, demonstrating the awards' practical impact on industry growth and collaboration.
The expanded shortlist for 2026 means more organizations will receive promotion to GWI's audience of over 40,000 readers worldwide. Nominations are open to all qualified participants, with winners announced live at the Global Water Awards ceremony during the Global Water Summit in Madrid. Those interested in submitting nominations should use the secure portal available at https://globalwaterawards.com/ before the February 27th deadline.
The addition of an AI-focused category reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in addressing global water challenges, from optimizing treatment processes to predicting infrastructure needs and managing scarce resources. This recognition comes at a critical time as water scarcity affects billions worldwide and climate change intensifies water management challenges across multiple regions.
The awards' significance extends beyond recognition, serving as a catalyst for innovation and investment in water solutions. Previous winners' achievements demonstrate how this recognition can translate into tangible business outcomes and expanded implementation of water technologies. A complete list of past honorees is available at https://globalwaterawards.com/winners, showcasing the diverse range of organizations that have received this distinction.
For the global water industry, these awards provide a vital platform for highlighting successful approaches to water management, treatment, and conservation. The expanded shortlist and new AI category ensure that emerging technologies and innovative approaches receive appropriate recognition alongside established solutions. As water security becomes increasingly critical to economic stability, public health, and environmental sustainability worldwide, programs that identify and promote excellence in this sector contribute directly to addressing one of humanity's most pressing challenges.
