WEFTEC 2026 takes place from September 26 to 30, 2026, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Wastewater Digest editors submitted a list of questions to WEF about the event this year. Ralph Exton, senior director for WEF, answered the questions below.

What is the theme of WEFTEC this year and why was that chosen for the event?

We chose innovation and curiosity as the theme for WEFTEC 2026 because the future of water will be shaped by the exploration grown from that initial curiosity. As utilities navigate aging infrastructure, workforce changes, evolving regulations, and rapidly advancing technologies, curiosity is a necessary catalyst for the practical problem-solving needed to move forward.

A powerful example of this journey can be found in the longstanding collaboration between Imagine H2O and BlueTech Research at WEFTEC. Through programming within the Innovation Pavilion, these organizations have highlighted entrepreneurs, emerging technologies, and breakthrough solutions for more than 15 years. The partnership demonstrates how curiosity-fueled ideas, combined with deep industry expertise, can help the water sector meet its most pressing challenges with confidence.

What trends, technologies, and industry conversations do you expect will dominate discussions throughout the week?

Artificial intelligence will be a major topic, but it's only part of a much larger conversation.

Across the exhibition floor and technical program, attendees will explore innovations spanning resource recovery, nutrient management, collection systems, utility resilience, water reuse, workforce development, and digital transformation. What's most interesting is how interconnected these topics have become.

More than any single trend, the dominant theme will be enabling the connectivity of the sector’s niche topics in a manner that will lead to the innovative approaches needed to address today's challenges and prepare for what's next.

How is WEFTEC helping utilities and water professionals develop the skills and knowledge they need for the future while promoting industry career opportunities?

What makes WEFTEC special is its ability to deliver value for both today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities through one of the water sector's most comprehensive technical education programs. Attendees come looking for practical solutions they can apply immediately. At the same time, they're exposed to emerging technologies, cutting-edge research, and new ideas that are shaping the future of the water sector.

Ultimately, we want attendees to leave with tools they can use today and a clearer vision for how they can contribute to the future of the industry.

What can attendees expect from the Water AI Nexus at WEFTEC this year compared to last year?

With a year of collaboration, learning, and momentum behind us, the Water-AI Nexus is entering its next phase, grounded in growing a community of trusted voices and practical tools designed to help water professionals confidently integrate AI into their organizations.

Since last year's launch, the Center of Excellence has established an Advisory Council that brings together leaders from the WEF volunteer community, mission aligned associations, technology companies, management consultancies, global engineering firms, utilities, and academia. The Center of Excellence has also launched the free AI 101 for Water Professionals course, providing foundational knowledge that organizations can use today.

At WEFTEC, attendees can expect candid discussions about the progress made over the past year, key lessons learned, and new insights emerging from ongoing collaboration across the community.

How will attendees see the circular water economy concept come to life through programming at the show?

The circular water economy is no longer just an aspirational vision. Across the industry, utilities are increasingly putting the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Regenerate into practice to recover resources, optimize infrastructure, strengthen resilience, and create greater value for their communities.

At WEFTEC, attendees will see those principles in action. The Circular Water Economy Pavilion Stage will feature real-world case studies and lessons learned from utilities and organizations advancing circular water strategies. By sharing proven approaches and practical results, these conversations help inspire new ideas and accelerate adoption across the sector.

What do you hope professionals attending the workshops and technical educational sessions will gain by the end of the show? What trends and topics do you expect will be most highly attended?

I hope attendees leave with practical knowledge they can apply right away, along with new ideas and connections that help them tackle challenges back home.

I think the Operations Challenge will be a highlight for many attendees. It's one of the most engaging experiences at WEFTEC because it showcases the skill, teamwork, and professionalism of utility operators in real time.

More than anything, it reinforces an important message: our industry's greatest asset is its people. The Operations Challenge brings that to life and serves as a powerful reminder of the expertise required to keep our water systems running every day.

As in years past, you’ll have a set of communications scholars in attendance at the show for the first time. What do you believe they’ll take away from this experience?

I think they'll gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity, scale, and impact of the water sector they support through their communications roles every day. While these Communications Scholars already work for utilities and water organizations, WEFTEC offers a unique opportunity to see the industry come together in one place and experience firsthand the people, technologies, and ideas driving it forward.

By attending WEFTEC for the first time, they'll gain a better understanding of the operational and technical challenges utilities face, as well as the collaborative spirit that exists across the sector.

If you had to identify one session, event, exhibit feature, or experience that attendees should make sure not to miss this year, what would it be and why?

If I had to identify one experience attendees shouldn't miss this year, it would be the International Pavilion and Global Hub. It's a unique opportunity to connect with water leaders from around the world and learn how communities in different regions are addressing many of the same challenges we face in North America.

For me, the International Pavilion and Global Hub embodies one of WEFTEC's greatest strengths: creating a space for the global water community to share lessons learned, exchange ideas, and help shape a path forward together. It's a powerful reminder that while water challenges may be local, innovation is truly global.