The Ministry of Jal Shakti concluded the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 on 25 September at New Delhi. Held from 22–25 September under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management”, the event brought together policymakers, international organisations, researchers, industry professionals and young engineers to discuss India’s water security challenges and solutions. Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil chaired the closing ceremony.
Key facts
- Event dates: 22–25 September 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Attendance: 7,224 delegates, 227 exhibitors, 119 paper presentations
- Participating countries: 2 partner nations and 14 partner states and union territories
- Eight capacity-building modules released for Gram Panchayat representatives and village water committees
- 57 research papers presented at the 2nd India International WASH Conference
- 50+ engineering students participated in WASH-focused sessions through AICTE partnership
- 22 African countries participated in India-Africa Roundtable on water, sanitation and hygiene
- Publications released include Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, 7th Minor Irrigation Census, 2nd Census of Water Bodies and 1st Census of Springs
What the week emphasised
The Union Minister identified three key takeaways from the week’s discussions: people’s participation in water conservation, bringing science and technology to local communities, and strengthening cooperation between governments and institutions. He highlighted that the Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, has expanded household tap water access in rural areas. According to the minister, a World Health Organization assessment found that improved access to safe drinking water under the scheme can prevent significant child deaths and reduce health problems caused by unsafe water.
Minister of State Shri V. Somanna stressed that water security means ensuring reliable drinking water, sanitation, clean surroundings and proper wastewater management. He said the next phase must integrate drinking water and sanitation services by managing greywater and waste to protect water sources and public health. He linked this to progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, which supports open-defecation-free-plus villages and waste management.
Key recommendations from deliberations
The week produced recommendations across seven thematic areas. These called for stronger community participation in water governance, safe reuse of treated wastewater, deeper international cooperation, data-driven decision-making, community-led groundwater recharge, wider adoption of digital and emerging technologies, and strengthened early warning systems for climate-related hazards. The recommendations also emphasised river basin approaches for climate adaptation, innovative financing and public-private partnerships, improved water efficiency, sustainable sediment management, and ecosystem-based water management led by communities.
New capacity-building modules for local institutions
A significant outcome was the release of eight capacity-building modules for Gram Panchayat representatives, Village Water and Sanitation Committee members and Sujalam Shakti Group members. These modules use village-based examples to explain institutional roles, source sustainability, water quality, maintenance, appropriate technology, community involvement and climate resilience. They aim to strengthen local institutions and community stakeholders in managing water services sustainably.
Digital innovation and water governance
The week highlighted digital public infrastructure as foundational to delivering water services at scale. The concept of “Water as One Data” was presented, with Sujalam Bharat positioned as the digital public infrastructure for rural drinking water. Discussions covered authenticated datasets, mapping of water assets using geospatial technology, citizen feedback platforms, Jal Seva Analytics, and rural data systems. These tools are intended to support leakage detection, predictive maintenance and asset management. The Additional Secretary and Mission Director noted that the real value lies not in data volume but in enabling better institutional decisions and improved outcomes for citizens.
India-Africa cooperation on water and sanitation
The India-Africa Roundtable on WASH brought together ambassadors and senior representatives from 22 African countries alongside development partners. It explored cooperation opportunities in capacity building, water-quality monitoring, digital platforms, community-led approaches, climate-resilient infrastructure and exchange of implementation experiences.
Publications and research outputs
The closing ceremony released eight publications and reports. These included two books on sustainable and efficient irrigation trends, a protocol for monitoring riverine plastic waste by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, reports from the first Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, the 2nd Census of Water Bodies and the 1st Census of Springs. The Central Water Commission also launched an Irrigation Atlas electronically.
What this means for you
If you live in a rural area and are involved in village water supply, the new capacity-building modules offer practical guidance on maintaining water services and managing sources sustainably. If you work in government or development, the recommendations and research findings provide evidence-based directions for improving water governance and service delivery. Engineers and researchers benefit from the expanded research forums and international partnerships highlighted. Young professionals gain opportunities to engage with real-world water challenges through platforms like the WASH Conference.