Join the Water Market Europe 2026 on April 16 in Brussels
On 16 April 2026, Water Europe will host the 2026 edition of Water Market Europe (WME) at the NH Hotel Berlaymont in Brussels. This year’s event centers on the transformative potential of Digital Twins, Data Governance, and Artificial Intelligence within the water sector.
The Strategy for Water Resilience
The European Water Resilience Strategy provides a vital framework for increasing the continent’s adaptability and long-term sustainability in managing precious water resources. A primary pillar of this strategy is the large-scale deployment of digital twin technologies. These digital replicas enable data-driven governance and integrated water management, allowing for more precise responses to environmental challenges.
IDEATION: A Unified Digital Hydrosphere
The IDEATION project is actively implementing this vision. By developing the foundational layers for a Digital Twin of Europe’s inland waters—encompassing rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, snow, and ice—IDEATION aims to create a seamless digital representation of the entire hydrosphere. This system is designed to integrate directly with the European Digital Twin Ocean (DTO), bridging the gap between inland and marine environments.
Through the application of digital twin technology, IDEATION supports critical EU policy objectives, including the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and the overarching Water Resilience Strategy.
Digital Twins as Market Infrastructure
Water Market Europe 2026, co-organized by Water Europe and supported by the IDEATION project, serves as a strategic platform to accelerate the market uptake of these technologies. Digital twins are no longer purely theoretical; they represent a modern market infrastructure capable of accelerating innovation, fostering new business development, and strengthening European competitiveness in digital water solutions.
The event is structured to promote collaboration by addressing the technical and regulatory frameworks that allow for real-time data integration, interoperable modeling, and evidence-based decision-making.
IDEATION Final Cross-Country Multi-Stakeholder Forum
On the morning of 16 April, the IDEATION project will host its Final Cross-Country Multi-Stakeholder Forum. This high-level gathering will bring together representatives from the European Commission, digital innovation projects, water utilities, research institutions, and technology providers.
The Forum will focus on:
- Presenting the IDEATION strategic roadmap for digital water.
- Addressing ongoing challenges regarding data governance and technical interoperability.
- Showcasing real-world implementations, including the Barcelona metropolitan use case.
- Aligning diverse European digital water initiatives under a single strategic direction.
The MARCLAIMED project will be featured prominently throughout the day’s programming. We invite all interested stakeholders to join us as we define the future of digital water management in Europe. For more information and to secure your attendance, please visit the official event website to register.
