Innovation, Collaboration and a Global Industry Perspective
Our team returned from the 2026 edition of the Water Loss conference in Rio de Janeiro with new connections, fresh ideas, and a broader perspective on the direction of the global water industry. Widely recognised as the most important international event in the field of water loss management, this year’s edition was also the largest ever organised. It brought together around 800 delegates from more than 60 nationalities for four days of workshops, presentations, technical discussions and networking opportunities.
Tom Crowder, Seamus Levin, Magui Faustino, Francisco Piedade and Courtney Carey represented the company throughout the conference, participating in technical sessions, presenting our work, and engaging with utilities, technology providers, and industry specialists from across the globe.
A Truly Global Event
The scale and diversity of Water Loss 2026 reflected how rapidly the industry is evolving and how central water loss management has become to wider discussions around climate resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
The conference programme featured almost 100 presentations divided across three simultaneous technical streams, all supported by live Portuguese and English translation. Topics ranged from AI and digital twins to satellite leak detection, hydraulic modelling, smart metering, pressure management, carbon reduction, and performance-based contracts. A recurring theme throughout the event was the conference motto: “Converting Water Loss into Climate Action”, highlighting the increasing recognition that leakage reduction is not only a technical challenge, but also an environmental and societal one.
One of the clearest trends emerging from the conference was the growing importance of digitalisation and advanced analytics in water network management. Across numerous presentations, utilities and technology providers demonstrated how AI, predictive analytics, machine learning, GIS integration, and smart monitoring are becoming fundamental tools for modern leakage management strategies.
Crowder Consulting’s Presence
Throughout the event, our stand remained constantly busy, welcoming delegates speaking a multitude of languages and creating opportunities for discussions with both existing contacts and potential new business partners.
Visitors to the stand were introduced to the Netbase Enterprise System as well as our digital tools NetOps and NetAlytics, with many conversations naturally focusing on how utilities can better use data and analytics to improve operational decision-making and leakage performance.
Magui and Courtney helped coordinate the activity around the stand throughout the conference, welcoming delegates and supporting the many conversations that took place around our work and digital solutions.
Contributing to the Technical Programme
We were proud to contribute directly to the technical programme through several presentations and active participation within the wider Water Loss community.
A particularly noticeable trend this year was the increase in presentations dedicated to trunk mains leakage, reflecting both its complexity and its growing importance for utilities worldwide. Several sessions explored technologies such as fibre sensing, transmission mains monitoring, insertion flowmeters, and predictive control strategies.
Within this context, Francisco and Seamus presented our work on the Netconn project with Thames Water and its connection with the London Ring Main. Their presentation generated strong interest from delegates and contributed valuable practical insight into leakage investigation and flow balance analysis on one of the world’s most complex trunk main systems.
At the distribution level, another strong theme was the increasing need for smarter leakage assessment and more accurate interpretation of DMA behaviour. Tom’s presentation on our new Mass Balance tool contributed directly to this discussion, demonstrating how utilities can better distinguish real leakage from other operational anomalies and measurement issues within DMAs.
The conference programme also highlighted our growing involvement within the international water loss community, with Tom chairing one of the technical sessions focused on Smart Water Networks and Relevant IT Solutions.
Networking Beyond the Conference Hall
Beyond the technical sessions, Water Loss 2026 provided excellent opportunities for relationship building and knowledge sharing in more informal settings.
Magui and Courtney attended the Women’s Networking Evening, which gathered around 50 delegates and created the opportunity for more in-depth conversations and the sharing of professional experiences in a smaller and more personal environment. This year’s conference also marked a notable milestone in representation, with women accounting for approximately one quarter of all delegates, the highest proportion the event has seen to date.
The location itself also contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the event. Set in the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro, the conference allowed delegates to continue conversations and strengthen connections in restaurants, cafés, and seaside establishments overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Looking Ahead
Water Loss 2026 proved to be an outstanding event for learning, sharing knowledge, and strengthening international partnerships. From trunk mains leakage investigations to AI-driven analytics and smarter water balances, the conference showcased both the complexity of today’s challenges and the exciting opportunities emerging across the sector.
We are proud to have contributed to these important discussions and looks forward to continuing to work alongside utilities and partners worldwide to support more efficient, resilient, and sustainable water networks.
A huge thank you to the organisers of the IWA Water Loss Conference 2026 Rio and ABES Saneamento for hosting such a fantastic event. Our team had an incredible experience attending the conference, and we truly appreciated the warm welcome, excellent organisation, and the opportunity to connect with so many professionals from across the industry.
We’re already looking forward to the next Water Loss Conference in 2028, hosted by Nama Water Services.