IFAT Munich 2026: A Week of Innovation, Connection, and Recognition

 

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A Landmark Event for Environmental Technologies

IFAT Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies, once again lived up to its reputation as the most important meeting place for the industry. From May 4th to 7th, 2026, the European Water Association (EWA) was proud to participate in this exciting week, connecting with members, sharing groundbreaking insights, and celebrating outstanding contributions to the field.

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Highlights of the Week

Council Meeting and Honorary Membership Surprise

The week kicked off with the EWA Council Meeting, where members gathered to discuss the future of water management in Europe. A special moment during the meeting was the surprise announcement of Fabio Tatano (IT) as the newest EWA Honorary Member.

Fabio Tatano, Prof.-Eng., PhD in Sanitary-Environmental Engineering at the University of Urbino “Carlo Bo,” has been an active and influential member of the EWA for many years. His dedication to the association is exemplified by his representation of the EWA at numerous high-profile events, including the JSWA/EWA/WEF Specialty Joint Conference. Additionally, he served as Chair of the EWA ETSC (European Technical & Scientific Committee) for 12 years, driving significant advancements in the association’s technical and scientific initiatives.

Congratulations to Fabio on this well-deserved recognition! His outstanding work and long-standing support have left a lasting mark on the EWA and the broader water community.

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Networking and Celebration

The day’s events concluded with a reception sponsored by Xylem, providing an opportunity for members to network, share ideas, and celebrate the achievements of the past year in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.

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Knowledge Sharing at the Blue Stage

EWA took center stage at the Blue Stage, delivering insights on critical topics shaping the future of water management:

• From Scarcity to Solutions: The Future of Water Reuse in Europe

• Desalination in Europe: Innovation, Integration, and Sustainability

• 22nd EWA International Symposium: Advancing the Water Resilience Strategy – Efficiency, Innovation & Recovery, featuring:

  • Session 1: Stormwater Management

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EWA Symposium Sessions

In addition to the Blue Stage presentations, EWA hosted a series of symposium sessions that dived deep into pressing challenges and innovative solutions:

• Session 2: Water Infrastructure Management in a Stressed Environment

• Session 3: Contaminants & Circular Recovery

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Additional Highlights

EWA also organized Harnessing AI for Water: Lessons Learned and Future Horizons & Way Forward, a standalone session that explored the role of artificial intelligence in addressing water-related challenges.

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Save the Date for IFAT 2028!

The success of IFAT Munich 2026 has set the stage for an even more impactful event in the future. Mark your calendars for the next IFAT, taking place from May 29th to June 1st, 2028!

We look forward to continuing the conversation, forging new partnerships, and driving innovation in environmental technologies.