Translating Digital Innovation into Market Action at WME 2026 on April 16
On 16 April 2026, Water Europe is organising the 2026 edition of Water Market Europe under the theme ‘‘Digital Twins, Data Governance & AI’ at the NH Hotel Berlaymont.
The Water Resilience Strategy establishes a framework to enhance Europe’s adaptability, and long-term sustainability in managing water resources. A cornerstone of this strategy is the deployment of digital twin technologies to support data-driven governance and integrated water management.
The IDEATION project implements this vision by laying the groundwork for a Digital Twin of Europe’s inland waters (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, snow and ice) designed to be integrated with the European Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) forming a unified digital representation of the hydrosphere.
By harnessing digital twins, IDEATION contributes to key EU water and climate policies such as the Water Framework Directive, the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the broader Water Resilience Strategy.
Water Market Europe (WME) 2026, co-organized by Water Europe and supported by the EU-funded IDEATION project, will serve as a platform to address Digital Twins Action in accelerating market uptake in the Water Sector. Today, Digital Twin represent emerging market infrastructure capable of accelerating innovation deployment, supporting business development, and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness in digital water solutions.
On the morning of 16 April 2026 in Brussels, IDEATION will host its Final Cross-Country Multi-Stakeholder Forum, bringing together the European Commission, digital innovation projects, utilities, researchers and technology providers. The Forum will present IDEATION’s roadmap, discuss governance and interoperability challenges, showcase real-world implementation — including the Barcelona metropolitan use case — and align European digital water initiatives under a common strategic direction.
WME 2026 is designed to foster collaboration and innovation by directly addressing the digital twin framework that enables real-time data integration, interoperable modelling, and evidence-based decision-making for enhancing water quality and resource management.
Our project will be featured throughout the day, visit the official website to register for the event.
