World Water Day Conclave 2026 Emphasises Industry Water Stewardship

25 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Union Minister emphasised that water conservation must be a shared national responsibility and called for public participation and collaborative action across sectors. He highlighted the role of industry in promoting recycling, reuse and a circular water economy and urged partnerships among government, industry, agriculture and communities. The address linked sustainable water management to India's economic growth and climate resilience.

Several national reports and policy documents were released, including the seventh Minor Irrigation Census, the second Census of Water Bodies, the first Census of Springs, the first Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects and the National Water Data Policy 2026, accompanied by technical publications from national research organisations. The Conclave recognised 19 winners of the Jal Shakti Hackathon, acknowledged states and industry associations for census completion, and launched a compendium of good practices on industrial water use efficiency. An exhibition of 21 stalls showcased technological and data-driven solutions with participation from national bodies and industry associations.

The programme included four thematic sessions on sludge management, industry for water, glacier monitoring and use cases of water census data that addressed policy, technology and institutional needs. Delegates endorsed a Joint Industry Declaration committing to regular water audits by 2027, SCADA-enabled real-time monitoring by 2030, achieving zero liquid discharge (ZLD) and water neutral or water positive status by 2030, reducing water footprint by fifty per cent by 2030, and installing rainwater harvesting with upgraded treatment in major facilities by 2030. The Conclave emphasised strengthening data-driven decision making, enhancing industry participation and encouraging cross-sectoral partnerships to accelerate progress towards a water-secure and climate-resilient future.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the World Water Day Conclave 2026 on 23 March 2026 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi under the theme Industry for Water. The event drew over 700 delegates and brought together ministers, secretaries, industry leaders and state representatives. The Conclave provided a national platform for multi-stakeholder convergence to promote sustainable water management and improved water-use efficiency. The Union Minister emphasised that water conservation must be a shared national responsibility and called for public participation and collaborative action across sectors. He highlighted the role of industry in promoting recycling, reuse and a circular water economy and urged partnerships among government, industry, agriculture and communities. The address linked sustainable water management to India's economic growth and climate resilience. Several national reports and policy documents were released, including the seventh Minor Irrigation Census, the second Census of Water Bodies, the first Census of Springs, the first Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects and the National Water Data Policy 2026, accompanied by technical publications from national research organisations. The Conclave recognised 19 winners of the Jal Shakti Hackathon, acknowledged states and industry associations for census completion, and launched a compendium of good practices on industrial water use efficiency. An exhibition of 21 stalls showcased technological and data-driven solutions with participation from national bodies and industry associations. The programme included four thematic sessions on sludge management, industry for water, glacier monitoring and use cases of water census data that addressed policy, technology and institutional needs. Delegates endorsed a Joint Industry Declaration committing to regular water audits by 2027, SCADA-enabled real-time monitoring by 2030, achieving zero liquid discharge (ZLD) and water neutral or water positive status by 2030, reducing water footprint by fifty per cent by 2030, and installing rainwater harvesting with upgraded treatment in major facilities by 2030. The Conclave emphasised strengthening data-driven decision making, enhancing industry participation and encouraging cross-sectoral partnerships to accelerate progress towards a water-secure and climate-resilient future.

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