New Delhi, March 22: Union Minister for Water Power, C.R. Patil, is set to inaugurate the ‘World Water Day conference 2026’ on March 23. This event will mark the beginning of discussions focused on sustainable water management and the innovative and prudent use of water in industries.
The conference, themed ‘Industry for Water’, aims to position industries as key drivers of water-use efficiency, recycling, reuse, and innovation. It seeks to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, startups, MSMEs, and young innovators to collaboratively develop scalable and technology-based solutions.
This conclave will highlight a significant shift where industries are not just users of water but are becoming its custodians, adopting smarter and more sustainable practices. Over 700 representatives from various sectors are expected to participate in this event.
A key highlight will be the recognition of winners of the ‘Water Power Hackathon’, which acknowledges innovative and impactful solutions in the water sector. State governments will also take part, particularly in a session focused on census-related discussions. This session will feature a ceremony to honor the completion and release of major national water census reports, emphasizing the importance of data-driven water governance.
According to a statement, the inaugural session will also see the release of the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, the second census of water bodies, the first census of springs, the first census of major and medium irrigation projects, the National Water Data Policy, along with various technical and thematic publications.
Leading states and industry associations will be honored during this session, and a collection of best practices on industrial water-use efficiency will be released, showcasing the best methods adopted in recycling, reuse, and conservation. The conclave will feature four thematic sessions and workshops.