Shaping the Future of Water: Insights from our UK Pavilion Partners
Written by Nandini Dwivedi, Skewb, as part of the Pavilion Support Team
As we build momentum towards the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, Glasgow 2026, we want to share perspectives directly from the partners of the UK Pavilion. Together, their insights highlight the key challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping the future of the water sector.
We have been running a LinkedIn series where partners across the UK water sector share their thinking ahead of Glasgow. Their spotlights reflect the increasingly interconnected challenges facing the industry, climate change, population growth, ageing infrastructure and evolving environmental expectations are placing growing pressure on water systems, prompting organisations to rethink how water is managed, valued and protected.
Innovation continues to play an important role in how the sector responds. Galliford Try highlighted how digital technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation are helping to improve safety, productivity and decision-making across infrastructure delivery. Alongside these advancements, the sector is also adapting to emerging environmental challenges, including contaminants such as PFAS — reinforcing the need for continual learning and adaptation as the landscape continues to evolve.
There is also growing recognition of the importance of working with natural systems to strengthen resilience. Arup shared how approaches that retain, infiltrate and reuse water can help communities respond to climate-related challenges while creating greener, cooler and more liveable urban environments. Their perspective underlined the value of combining global experience with local understanding, recognising that many of the challenges facing the water sector are shared across countries and regions.
AtkinsRéalis emphasised the importance of taking a broader view of water's role within society. Bringing together global expertise, local insight and cross-industry experience, their spotlight made the case for considering every person and every drop when developing solutions for the future. Beyond delivering infrastructure, they highlighted the need to create outcomes that support resilient communities, safeguard natural resources and generate lasting value for both people and the environment.
The sector's future will be shaped not only by new technologies and infrastructure, but by the people who bring fresh ideas, perspectives and ambition to the industry. British Water highlighted the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for young professionals to contribute — recognising that inclusion is most effective when it moves beyond representation and becomes active participation. This thinking is reflected throughout the UK Pavilion, where Young Water Professionals have played an active role in shaping the programme and supporting its delivery. By creating space for emerging voices alongside established industry leaders, the Pavilion shows how future talent can contribute to today's conversations, helping to build the leadership, skills and diverse thinking the sector needs.
Taken together, these perspectives reflect the breadth of experience and thinking across the organisations that make up the UK Pavilion. Follow us on LinkedIn to see each partner's spotlight as they come, and join us in Glasgow to hear these ideas brought to life.