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

The Global Water Awards 2026 nominations are now open until February 27, 2026, at 23:59 GMT, following a rebrand of the prestigious program. With the introduction of a new artificial intelligence-focused category and an expanded shortlist, the awards offer increased opportunities for water industry professionals to showcase their achievements to a global audience. The Global Water Awards, an initiative of Global Water Intelligence (GWI), recognize excellence across 15 categories spanning water, wastewater, technology, and desalination sectors, representing what many consider the international water industry's most revered honor.

Historical data shows that many shortlisted candidates have secured significant business deals following their recognition. Previous winners encompass a diverse range of entities including transnational water management companies, investors, engineering, procurement, and construction firms, utilities, industrial water users, and not-for-profit water providers. A comprehensive list of past recipients is available at https://globalwaterawards.com/winners. The nomination process is open to all participants, and the shortlist receives promotion to GWI's audience of over 40,000 readers, providing substantial visibility within the industry.

Winners will be announced live during the Global Water Awards ceremony at the Global Water Summit in Madrid. Nominations must be submitted through a secure portal on the Global Water Awards website at https://globalwaterawards.com/ before the February 27 deadline. The expanded opportunities reflect the evolving nature of the water industry, particularly with the new AI category addressing technological advancements in water management and treatment. This development comes as the water sector faces increasing challenges related to climate change, resource scarcity, and infrastructure modernization, making recognition of innovative solutions more critical than ever.

The Global Water Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in an industry that is fundamental to global sustainability and economic development. By highlighting cutting-edge technologies, effective management practices, and innovative approaches to water challenges, the awards program contributes to knowledge sharing and best practice dissemination across international boundaries. The expanded shortlist means more projects and organizations will receive recognition, potentially accelerating the adoption of successful approaches to water management worldwide. As water security becomes an increasingly pressing global concern, initiatives that promote and reward excellence in the sector play a vital role in driving innovation and improving water management practices across all sectors of the economy.