The 20th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies
Resilient Water in a Changing World
Save the Date: Houston, Texas, USA| 1-5 June 2026
The LET conferences
The IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies is designed to be the place for sharing the latest insights into how pioneering science, technological innovation and leading practices will shape the major transformation in water management that is underway.
Special Guest Appearance
Tracy Caldwell Dyson
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), USA
Research, Recovery, Recycling, and Resilience – Water on the International Space Station
Welcome Address Speakers
Reginald DesRoches, NAE
President, Rice University, USA
John Whitmire
Mayor, City of Houston, Texas, USA
Plenary Keynote Speakers
Mark van Loosdrecht, NAE
Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
Wastewater to Materials
Menachem Elimelech, NAE
Rice University, USA
Membrane Technologies for Desalination and Water Reuse: Where Do We Stand?
Amanda Lake
Jacobs, UK
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation from WWTPs
Amy Childress, NAE
University of Southern California, USA
Integrated Treatment of Alternative Water Sources: Enabling Safe and Resilient Potable Supply
Christopher Gasson
Global Water Intelligence, UK
The Future of Desalination
IWA LET 2026 Organising Committee
The organising committee of the LET 2026 20th Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies are as follows:
- Pedro J.J. Alvarez, Rice University (Co-Chair)
- Menachem Elimelech, Rice University (Co-Chair)
- Qilin Li, Rice University
- Michael S. Wong, Rice University
- Eric Willman, Rice University
- Liz Scroggins, Rice University
LET 2026 Co-organisers
LET 2026 Sponsors include:
Platinum Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Conference Venue
The 20th Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies will take place on the beautiful campus of Rice University, located in the heart of Houston, between downtown, the museum district and the world’s largest Medical Center. Steps from Hermann Park, the Zoo and Rice Village, Rice is surrounded by art, culture and diverse dining options. To enrich your experience, we have also organised field trips to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and to municipal facilities that showcase modern treatment technologies, allowing attendees to appreciate the practical underpinnings of the innovations discussed at the conference.
