WEFTEC 2026

WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, is WEF's annual water quality conference and exhibition for the water and wastewater sector. It combines technical sessions, workshops and continuing-education credits with an exhibition floor.

WEFTEC 2026

WEFTEC runs September 26–30, 2026 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans.

What it is

WEFTEC is the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, produced every year by the Water Environment Federation (WEF). WEF describes it as "the largest annual water quality conference in the world." It covers water and wastewater treatment, operations, compliance and the circular water economy. For 2026 the organizer cites more than 950 exhibitors and 125+ technical sessions.

Conference and exhibition dates differ

• Conference: September 26–30
• Exhibition: September 28–30 only
• The first-timers' orientation is Monday, September 28.
• Workshops and facility tours may cost extra on top of registration. Meals are not included, and the dress code is business casual.
• Charter buses between conference hotels and the convention center are complimentary.

Continuing education credits

Attendees can earn CEUs and PDHs toward Professional Engineer and Professional Operator licenses. Credit is tracked by badge scan, so you must scan when entering and leaving each session, workshop and the exhibit hall.

Exhibit-hall credit requires scanning at the CE kiosks near the hall entrances. WEF notes that state approvals are still pending for many states.

On the exhibition floor

• Workforce Hub and Utility Pavilion, both new this year
• Operations Challenge, the wastewater operator competition
• Circular Water Economy Pavilion, International Pavilion and Global Hub
• Water-AI Nexus, Innovation Showcase and the Discovery Zone for startups
• Green and Blue Stages for on-floor sessions

Next year WEFTEC moves to McCormick Place, Chicago (conference September 25–29, 2027; exhibition September 27–29).