Water Finance Conference seeks innovative case studies for 2026 agenda
Organisers of the 12th annual Water Finance Conference are seeking presentation proposals for the 2026 meeting, to be held on 4–5 August at the Fritz Knoebel Events Centre at the University of Denver. According to the announcement from Water Finance & Management, prospective speakers should submit a 200‑word abstract by 21 February 2026 to managing editor Andrew Farr ([email protected]). The conference website confirms the dates, venue and programme focus.
The two‑day seminar is designed for executive‑level utility professionals, including CEOs, general managers, CFOs and city finance managers, and for consultants, financial advisers and service providers to municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems. According to the original report, the event provides a forum for candid, peer‑level discussion on financing strategies and operational trade‑offs facing utilities.
Organisers said they are prioritising case studies and thought‑leadership presentations rather than written papers. Topics of interest span rate setting and implementation, alternative or affordable rate structures and customer affordability programmes, and federal funding mechanisms, notably implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA), State Revolving Funds and WIFIA. Presentations addressing budgeting and financial planning, governance, regulatory drivers such as lead and PFAS requirements, and the application of financial technology for utilities are also sought.
The programme committee emphasises presentations led by public (or investor‑owned) utility representatives; consultants and vendors are encouraged to include a utility co‑presenter to increase the likelihood of selection. Previous calls for speakers and conference agendas show the event favours practical, utility‑facing case studies that illuminate both successes and the hurdles encountered when securing and deploying capital.
The conference, established in 2015, is hosted annually by the journal Water Finance & Management, published by Benjamin Media, Inc., in collaboration with founding sponsor the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and other supporters. Industry coverage of prior editions highlights recurring themes, capital planning, customer affordability, regionalisation and regulatory compliance, and a mix of utility leaders, financial officers and sector consultants among presenters and attendees.
Logistical details on the event website note the Fritz Knoebel Events Centre’s facilities and nearby accommodation options; registration information published for the series outlines standard attendee fees, supporting organisation discounts and timing for early‑bird pricing. The organisers have said additional conference details, including the full agenda and registration links, will be released in the coming weeks on the event website.
For prospective speakers, the organisers invite 200‑word abstracts by 21 February 2026 to [email protected] and encourage submissions that foreground real‑world utility experience, measurable outcomes and lessons learned for peers in the municipal water finance community. The conference aims to remain an executive‑level forum where practical financing solutions and policy impacts are examined in a collegial setting.