With preparations well underway for the Water Equipment Show, we’re pleased to reveal the theme for 2026 is: Delivering a Sustainable Future Through Innovation, Partnership and Standardisation.
To AMP8 and Beyond
As the UK water industry transitions into Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) in England and Wales and SR27 in Scotland, water companies face a new regulatory cycle of unprecedented scale and ambition. The Water Equipment Show 2026 offers industry professionals the chance to come together and work through this momentous period to help the sector as a whole capitalise on the opportunities provided by AMP8 and SR27.
AMP8 marks the largest investment ever undertaken in the water industry, with £104 billion of funding (approximately 77% more than in AMP7) made available. This has created a “reset” opportunity, where we can modernise aging infrastructure, strengthen environmental protection, rebuild public trust, and accelerate progress toward net-zero carbon operations to ensure the efficacy, longevity and sustainability of the water sector. SR27 is Scottish Water’s major Strategic Review investment programme spanning 2027 to 2033, valued between £5 billion and £9 billion, is designed to transform water and wastewater infrastructure across Scotland, support economic growth, create jobs, and deliver sustainability goals.
Futureproofing the UK Water Industry
The Water Equipment Show 2026 brings together water companies and manufacturers from across the UK water industry to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced, including stringent regulatory compliance, rapid technical innovation and robust supply chain management. In order to overcome this, the water industry must recognise its need to adapt, innovate, and collaborate under pressure.
This year’s theme highlights the links between the industry’s challenges: regulatory mandates driving the need for new technology and big investments; new technologies in turn demanding an upskilled workforce and strong supplier support; and a resilient supply chain requiring close cooperation, standardisation and innovation-sharing. Through these connections, water companies, their partners and supply chain can form a unified strategy that can convert risks into opportunities and leverage supplier relationships to achieve efficiencies that benefit everyone.
WES2026: Bigger & Better Than Ever!
As the UK’s leading water industry event, WES2026 will offer a breadth of knowledge and networking opportunities for professionals across the sector. For 2026, the Water Equipment Show has expanded to occupy all three halls at Telford International Centre, offering an enhanced experience with new areas which facilitate learning, networking and collaboration.
While the main conference will focus upon WES2026’s overall theme, ‘Delivering a Sustainable Future Through Innovation, Partnership and Standardisation,’ our breakout rooms will once again provide targeted insights into further challenges faced by the sector. This year, we’re pleased to announce the topics for the four breakout rooms hosted at WES2026, selected to support the objectives of WES2026’s main theme and expand its remit to expedite industry progress, are:
- Net-Zero, Sustainability and Nature-based Solutions
- WIMES: Standard Assets Driving Efficiencies
- Innovation & New Technology
- Water Industry & Equipment.
Industry professionals will be provided with the opportunity to hear from leading experts in these areas, facilitating knowledge sharing, peer-to-peer discussion and networking to drive innovation and collaboration in the search for solutions.
Present at WES2026
Pump Centre members have the opportunity to share their experience, showcase their successes and support the water industry by presenting at the Water Equipment Show. Applications to present at WES2026 are now open. In order to participate, your company must be a Pump Centre member at the time of the show and a representative of your company must attend WES2026. We welcome presentations for both that are collaborative and involve both end-users and manufacturers, suppliers, consultants or contractors.
In the Main Conference, we invite presentations on any topics associated with the WES2026 theme, Delivering a Sustainable Future Through Innovation, Partnership and Standardisation, for example: achieving net zero, environmental sustainability and delivering nature-based solutions; building a resilient and co-operative supply chain; and harnessing standardisation to drive efficiencies. Presentations should be 25 minutes long, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.
In technical breakout rooms, we are looking for 20 minute presentations followed by 5 minutes of Q&A that focus on projects, equipment, services or design that can help deliver innovative solutions for the sector. Presentations must have a technical focus, highlight innovation, and can be project case studies, but must not be overly product or sales related.
If you would like to present at WES2026 to share your experiences, deliver your successes to fellow industry professionals and support the water sector in our goals to deliver a sustainable future, apply online as soon as possible and no later than Friday 7th November 2025.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Pump Centre team. We look forward to receiving your completed application.