The Global Water Awards 2026 has officially opened nominations following a rebrand, with submissions accepted until February 27 at 23:59 GMT. The awards program, a Global Water Intelligence initiative, now features a new artificial intelligence-focused category and an expanded shortlist, creating more opportunities for water professionals to gain international recognition for their achievements. Recognized as the international water industry's most prestigious honor, the Global Water Awards celebrate excellence across 15 categories encompassing water, wastewater, technology, and desalination sectors.
Previous winners have included transnational water management companies, investors, engineering, procurement and 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' industry impact. The shortlist receives promotion to Global Water Intelligence's audience of over 40,000 readers, providing substantial visibility within the global water community. Winners are announced live during the Global Water Awards ceremony at the Global Water Summit in Madrid. Those interested in viewing previous winners can visit https://globalwaterawards.com/winners to see the complete list of past honorees.
Nominations are open to all industry participants, with submissions processed through a secure portal on the Global Water Awards website. The nomination deadline of February 27 represents the final opportunity for organizations and individuals to showcase their contributions to water management and technology advancement. The expanded shortlist and new AI category reflect the evolving priorities within the water sector, particularly the growing importance of technological innovation in addressing global water challenges. The inclusion of artificial intelligence as a dedicated category acknowledges the increasing role of advanced technologies in water management, treatment, and conservation efforts worldwide.
This expansion comes as water scarcity and quality issues continue to demand innovative solutions from industry leaders. The awards ceremony in Madrid will bring together water professionals from across the globe to celebrate achievements and share best practices in addressing critical water-related challenges. Organizations and individuals seeking to submit nominations must do so through the official awards portal available at https://globalwaterawards.com/ before the February deadline. The Global Water Awards serve as a platform for recognizing excellence while fostering connections and collaboration within the international water community, ultimately contributing to improved water management practices and technological advancement worldwide.
