Your Essential Guide to the Water Equipment Show 2026

The UK’s premier event for the water and wastewater industry is just around the corner! WES2026 is set to be our most ambitious show yet, packed with cutting-edge tech, expert-led seminars, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

To help you navigate the floor like a pro, we’ve put together this go-to guide for making the most of your time at the Water Equipment Show. 

Must-See Highlights and New Zones

The Water Equipment Show 2026 brings an expanded agenda, with all-new features to spearhead innovation and professional development within the industry. Alongside our established break out rooms addressing some of the most pressing challenges, WES2026’s new features will deliver enhanced opportunities to engage with ideas and solutions from across the sector.

• The Water Company Pavilion highlights some of the impactful work being carried out by end user companies from across the UK.
• Visit our Careers & Learning Zone, a dedicated space for networking, skill development, and career advancement - no matter where you are on your professional journey. 
• Get hands on with the latest technologies in a safe, practical managed experience at the Live Demo Area - the new home of WES2026’s Pump Operations Challenge!

Whether this is your first WES or your tenth, we’re committed to ensuring every attendee gains valuable insight and experiences to aid their vital work in their chosen fields. 

Industry Expertise Through Live Presentations

With over 45 industry experts taking the stage, WES2026 is the place to solve the sector's most pressing challenges. Don't miss these highlight speakers:

• Arlene Goode (Manager of Engineering Design, Yorkshire Water) introduces WES2026’s main theme, and will share some of her thoughts on what delivering a sustainable future means for the water industry.
• Gareth Makarek (Director - Asset Management, Arcadis) will examine the changing asset management landscape and demonstrate how an advanced asset management framework can help water and wastewater utilities to maximise their performance against an array of financial, environmental, and social targets and metrics.
• Alexandra Combes (Principal Ecological Engineer, Scottish Water) provides an in-depth look at Nature-based Solutions (NbS) through the lens of ecological engineering, focusing on their application within the water industry. 
• Oliver Grievson (Associate Director and Technical Authority for Regulatory Monitoring and Compliance, AtkinsRealis) discusses how we can use instrumentation as data sources to garner insight and enable the water industry to operate more efficiently. The presentation will look at some case studies from China and around the world, including examples of how Digital Twins have been adopted.

In Room A, this year’s panel discussion will highlight the challenges the industry faces over the coming asset management period, and what some of the potential approaches to remedy them may be. Panellists include: Emma Copson (Sales Manager, Torishima), Darren Hollins (Chief Mechanical Engineer - Engineering Delivery, United Utilities), Sean Smith (DSEAR Compliance Manager, Wessex Water), and Arlene Goode (Manager of Engineering Design, Yorkshire Water).

Connect with Leading Names from Across the Industry

Explore cutting-edge equipment and services from the UK’s leading manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors across all three exhibition halls. Plan your visit by checking our Exhibitor Page for a full list and site map, the perfect tool to help you schedule face-to-face meetings with key partners and new prospects.

Getting to the Water Equipment Show 2026

Held at the Telford International Centre (TIC), getting to WES couldn’t be easier!

By Car: TIC is easily accessible via the M54. While there are 1,300 onsite spaces, demand will be high, so please plan accordingly:

• Onsite Parking: Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that spaces cannot be reserved in advance.
• Overflow Parking: If onsite parking reaches capacity, please use the Cherry Pink Long Stay Car Park in the town centre (TF3 4BX).
• Important Ticket Validation: If you use the Cherry Pink car park, you must bring your ticket to the WES2026 reception area at TIC for validation. Failure to validate will result in standard parking fees.
• Note on Southwater: Parking at the Southwater multi-story car park cannot be validated. You will be responsible for the full cost if you park there.

By Train: Telford Central Station is just a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute taxi ride from the venue. Frequent services run from Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International.

By Plane: Fly to Birmingham Airport (BHX) and enjoy rapid connections at Birmingham International Station.

Staying in Telford: The TIC complex features several on-site hotels, with many more just a short stroll away in Telford town centre. Booking early is highly recommended, especially if you’re joining us for the Annual Charity Dinner!

Register for the Water Equipment Show 2026

Make sure you’re registered for WES2026 before the event to streamline your experience and maximise your time at the UK’s leading event for the water industry.