AWWAIndia conference showcases sustainable water solutions
February 5, 2026
AWWA Articles
AWWAIndia conference showcases sustainable water solutions
Indore served as the host city for AWWAIndia’s 4th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE25), where utility leaders, engineers, and government officials examined the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s water sector. The program emphasized collaboration, sustainability frameworks, and advancements in continuous water supply.
Among the speakers were AWWA CEO David LaFrance and AWWA International Council Chair Loren Labovitch, who underscored the need for ongoing collaboration and capacity building to strengthen India’s water future.
During an opening session, Labovitch reviewed global sustainability frameworks that help engineers and utilities plan more resilient, equitable infrastructure. One example — the Envision framework — evaluates projects using indicators across quality of life, leadership, resource allocation, the natural world, and climate resilience.
LaFrance reflected on the evolution of AWWAIndia, which began 10 years ago as AWWA’s first presence outside North America. Its establishment as an independent nonprofit in 2021 has further expanded opportunities for collaboration between U.S. and Indian water professionals through training, conferences, and practical utility-focused programs.
AWWAIndia Chair Hemen Patel reinforced that perspective, noting that Indian water professionals benefit from AWWA’s nearly 150 years of standards and expertise. Leveraging that knowledge, he said, is helping advance consistent, reliable water service while supporting India’s growing focus on resiliency.
Technical sessions at AICE25, themed “Elevating Water’s Future,” reflected that momentum. Former AWWA president and AWWAIndia founding member Nilaksh Kothari moderated a discussion on opportunities and challenges in rapidly urbanizing areas. LaFrance then led a series of sessions on continuous water supply systems — a growing priority as cities move from intermittent delivery to 24/7 service models. Drink From Tap initiatives and Smart City programs were highlighted as practical examples of that transition.
A keynote from Isha Kalia, joint secretary with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, outlined national efforts underway to achieve continuous potable water supply by 2047. She emphasized integrated approaches such as adopting smart SCADA systems, expanding community-led water quality testing, and strengthening urban finances through municipal bonds. Kalia also urged utilities to advance a circular water economy by incorporating treated water reuse and resource recovery into long-term planning, a key tenet of AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative.
More than 35 speakers — including women leaders in water and student researchers — contributed technical insights throughout the conference, reinforcing the importance of shared learning and innovation across the sector.
As AWWAIndia looks ahead to AICE26 in New Delhi this October, the conference’s emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and practical solutions continues to guide progress toward a more resilient water future for India and beyond.
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