The Global Water Awards 2026, now rebranded and accepting nominations until February 27, 2026, at 23:59 GMT, introduces a new artificial intelligence-focused category and an expanded shortlist, providing increased opportunities for industry recognition. Organized by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the awards honor excellence across 15 categories spanning water, wastewater, technology, and desalination, and are considered the international water industry's most prestigious accolade.
According to GWI, many past shortlisted nominees have gone on to secure some of the largest business deals in the industry. Previous winners include transnational water management companies, investors, engineering, procurement, and construction firms, as well as utilities, industrial water users, and not-for-profit water providers. A complete list of previous winners is available at https://globalwaterawards.com/winners.
Nominations are open to all entities and individuals in the water sector. The shortlist will be promoted to GWI's audience of over 40,000 readers, and winners will be announced live at the Global Water Awards ceremony during the Global Water Summit in Madrid. Submissions must be made through a secure portal on the Global Water Awards website at https://globalwaterawards.com/.
This year's expansion includes a dedicated category for AI applications in water management, reflecting the industry's growing focus on digital transformation and data-driven solutions. The move signals the importance of innovation in addressing global water challenges, such as scarcity, aging infrastructure, and climate resilience. By broadening the shortlist, the awards aim to recognize a wider range of achievements, from small-scale community projects to large-scale industrial innovations.
The Global Water Awards have historically served as a catalyst for business development, with winners gaining visibility among key decision-makers and investors. The expanded categories and shortlist are expected to further enhance this impact, offering more companies and organizations the chance to showcase their work on a global stage. Industry experts view the awards as a benchmark for excellence, influencing investment and partnership decisions in the water sector.
For general inquiries, the organizing committee can be reached at awards@globalwaterintel.com. Global Water Intelligence, the organizer, is a leading market intelligence and events company serving the international water industry for over 25 years, providing high-level intelligence for strategic business decisions across municipal and industrial markets, as well as technology, finance, and economics.
