By — DILIP GUHA
Recently held from 6–8 August, the Earth Water Foundation event, EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, brought together global expertise in water and wastewater treatment, environmental technologies, and water infrastructure.
The EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026, an international exhibition and conference focused on water and wastewater treatment, environmental technologies, and water infrastructure, organised by the Earth Water Foundation. The three-day event featured more than 250 exhibitors, an international conference with over 25 experts, live technology demonstrations, and technical training on the design, calculation, and troubleshooting of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems. The South Asia Rainwater Network (SARNET), initiated by the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum in 2020 in response to the growing need to strengthen capacity and share knowledge on rainwater harvesting across South Asia, participated as the official Rainwater Harvesting Partner of the expo. SARNET presented community-level best practices, technological innovations, and practical approaches to rainwater harvesting through a dedicated SARNET Corridor. The network also convened a half-day knowledge-sharing conference titled “Turning Rain into Resilience: Building South Asia’s Rainwater Future.” Among the distinguished guests who visited the SARNET Corridor were Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, and Mr Rajiv Singhal, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The SARNET conference comprised three sessions addressing policy, community-level practices and technological innovation. Shri Durga Shankar Mishra, former Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined key government initiatives under the “Catch the Rain—Where It Falls, When It Falls” campaign. He highlighted the importance of continued cooperation among citizens, practitioners, industries and government institutions to advance the campaign’s objectives. Shri Dalbir Singh, Chief Engineer, Delhi Jal Board, addressing the audience, shared that rainwater harvesting has to be a combined effort, not only an effort of one entity. The sessions brought together rainwater harvesting practitioners, innovators and campaigners from India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Switzerland and other countries. Participants exchanged experiences and perspectives on policy development, community-based action and technological solutions for sustainable water management. In a message to the conference, Han Heijnen, President of the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance, emphasised the importance of focused public policy supported by meaningful engagement from the private sector.
The second session, Building resilient communities through participation, livelihoods and behavioural change, focused on community engagement and strategies to promote rainwater harvesting at the local level. Moderated by Ms Pradnya Thakur, the session encouraged panellists to share experiences from their respective communities and regions. Dr S.V. Murugan, Chief Operating Officer- National Agro Foundation; Ms. Karma Uden, Senior Programme Officer- Tarayana Foundation; and Mr Salahuddin Saiphy, Principal Lead Water Management – S.M. Sehgal Foundation, were the panelists of the session. Karma Uden, representing the Tarayana Foundation, presented examples of spring shed management in Bhutan, while Salahuddin Saiphy highlighted the value of integrating indigenous and traditional knowledge into rainwater harvesting initiatives.
The third session, titled “Innovation in Rainwater Harvesting: Technology, Design and Future Solutions,” examined emerging technologies, filtration systems, groundwater recharge mechanisms and their suitability for diverse geographic conditions. Ms Swati Bhatia, Deputy Programme Manager, Water Programme at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), stressed the importance of combining traditional knowledge with modern approaches to water management. She noted that as artificial intelligence-driven infrastructure increases demand for freshwater, traditional rainwater harvesting practices will become increasingly important in helping communities secure their water future.
The session also featured Mr Vijayraj Shisodya, Co-founder and Director of Farmland Rainwater Harvesting Systems; Mr Akash Varia, General Manager—Marketing, Nee Rain Pvt. Ltd.; Mr J. Chandrasekeran, Founder and Director of Watsan Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.; and Mr Nilesh Mankar, Mechanical Engineer, Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, Government of Maharashtra. Through the SARNET Corridor and its panel discussions, the event facilitated dialogue among technologists, engineers, civil society organisations, policymakers and private-sector representatives. The participation reinforced the importance of collaboration, locally relevant innovation and knowledge sharing in building resilient and sustainable water futures across South Asia.
Speakers highlighted the importance of cooperation among governments, communities, industries, civil society and citizens in advancing the “Catch the Rain—Where It Falls, When It Falls” campaign.
Discussions also explored community-led water management, livelihoods, behavioural change, spring shed management in Bhutan and the integration of indigenous knowledge. The technology session examined filtration systems, groundwater recharge, design solutions and emerging innovations suited to diverse geographic conditions. Participants stressed that combining traditional knowledge with modern technology—and supporting rainwater harvesting through strong public policy and private-sector engagement—is essential for securing South Asia’s water future.
Co-ordinator of South Asia Rainwater Network (SARNET), Ms Danushi Senanayake Said, “This EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026 helped to connect with private sector service providers, find out innovations, highlight the importance of rainwater harvesting and to strategically position SARNET as the rainwater partner”.
SARNET’s participation reinforced the value of regional collaboration, locally relevant innovation and knowledge-sharing in building resilient and sustainable communities.
With its focus on business, technology, knowledge and collaboration, EAW Global Aqua Expo 2026 concluded by strengthening connections across India’s water ecosystem and creating opportunities for the adoption of innovative and sustainable water solutions. The Expo will next expand to Hyderabad in February 2027, followed by its 22nd national edition in New Delhi in August 2027.
