Pedro J. J. Alvarez tells The Source what delegates can expect from the 20th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies.
The 20th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies (LET) will take place in Houston, Texas, USA, on 1-5 June 2026. Focusing on the theme of ‘Resilient Water in a Changing World’, this 2026 LET builds on the success of the 19th edition held in Essen, Germany, in 2024, which gathered around 400 participants from more than 40 countries to network and learn from almost 70 world-class presentations.
What sets LET apart is the way in which the event has been designed and established to be the key conference for sharing the latest insights into how pioneering science, technological innovation and leading practices will shape the major transformations that are taking place in water management.
Dynamic programme
Key themes of LET 2026 include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mineralisation technologies for drinking water, wastewater, sludge and brine treatment; digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence (AI); membrane technologies and multifunctional hybrid systems; desalination, energy and brine management; improved direct potable reuse; modular and decentralised wastewater treatment; and advanced solids and wastewater management for energy-neutral treatment plants.
Innovation hub
Taking place at Rice University, home to the Rice WaTER Institute and close to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (to which a field trip has been organised), LET 2026 delegates will find themselves in a world-leading technology and innovation hub. Of significance to the theme of PFAS, the Rice WaTER Institute has created the Rice PFAS Abatement and Replacement Center (Rice-PAR) to destroy these persistent chemicals in all four matrices using novel technologies.
Among other innovative technologies, materials scientists at Rice University have worked with collaborators to develop a material that uses light to break down a range of pollutants in water, including PFAS. The university has also created the Rice Center for Membrane Excellence (RiCeME) at the WaTER Institute to develop novel membrane technologies and process designs to manage brine – one of the largest obstacles facing the industry.
A firm focus for the Institute is the advancement of water technologies at the molecular- and nano-scale, which combined with advances in electrification and automation will enable decentralised treatment, and help to bring safe and affordable water and sanitation to households and industry.
The bigger picture
Technology has a vital part to play in the development of water management, and this conference aims to provide access to insights at the forefront of technological development. The goal is to inspire and ignite transformative solutions that can create a sustainable and resilient future for our world. IWA understands the importance of exploring and sharing innovative ideas, and this conference provides the perfect platform to do so. l
More information
Pedro J.J. Alvarez, Co-Chair of the 20th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies Organising Committee, is the George R. Brown Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University, where he also serves as founding Director of the NSF Engineering Research Center on Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT) and Director of the Rice WaTER Institute.
For more about LET 2026 at iwa-let.org
