ACE26 Water Industry Insights: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Trends

Explore our pre-show interviews and on-site reports from ACE26, capturing innovations in water treatment, infrastructure resilience, and emerging contaminants, with exclusive videos and industry leader perspectives.

Join WaterWorld as we bring you comprehensive coverage from the water industry’s premier event: the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE26). Bringing together thousands of water professionals, utility leaders, engineers, researchers, and technology providers, ACE26 is where the industry’s most pressing challenges and innovative solutions take center stage.

Our ACE26 coverage will provide an inside look at the conversations shaping the future of municipal water. Leading up to the conference, explore our preshow Q&As featuring speakers, exhibitors, and industry experts who will share their perspectives on key issues facing utilities today — from PFAS and emerging contaminants to water reuse, artificial intelligence, infrastructure resilience, and the evolving needs of water systems nationwide.

During the event, the WaterWorld team will be on the show floor capturing the latest technologies, project updates, and expert insights. Look for articles highlighting new products, innovative treatment approaches, utility success stories, and the trends driving the future of drinking water. We’ll also bring you exclusive video interviews featuring industry leaders and innovators discussing the challenges and opportunities shaping the water sector.

Whether you’re attending ACE26 in person or following along from afar, this page will serve as your resource for timely coverage, expert analysis, and highlights from one of the most important gatherings in the water industry.

Check back regularly for new ACE26 coverage, including preshow interviews, show-floor reports, videos, and insights from the professionals working to advance safe, reliable, and sustainable water solutions.

Pre-show highlights

Join Us at AWWA ACE26
Attendees can expect a dynamic program featuring new tracks on communications and HR, a focus on pressing issues like PFAS and cybersecurity, and opportunities to engage with ...
June 19, 2026
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By leveraging a large dataset of real-world service line failures, researchers uncovered surprising durability patterns in legacy materials like lead and galvanized steel, emphasizing...
June 17, 2026

ACE26 show coverage

Bob Crossen
Celebrating water heroes: Insights at ACE26
Charles Fishman delivered the keynote at ACE26, emphasizing the vital yet often unseen work of water professionals in maintaining essential water services and drawing parallels...
June 22, 2026
How U.S. utilities are adapting to increased water demand from data centers and manufacturing.
June 22, 2026
Columbus is developing a non-potable water reuse master plan to address the rising water demands from its booming data center industry.
June 23, 2026
As microplastics gain regulatory attention, key issues such as detection limitations, scientific knowledge gaps and the development of standardized definitions rise to the top...
June 23, 2026
As AI and data centers grow, water utilities must proactively plan for increased demand, focusing on infrastructure, cooling technologies and community involvement to ensure sustainable...
June 24, 2026
Water utilities face significant hurdles in deploying PFAS treatment technologies swiftly and at scale, with supply chain, construction and regulatory challenges demanding early...
June 24, 2026