International WASH advocate wins IWA Global Water Award

Internationally recognised water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist Clarissa Brocklehurst has been announced as the 2026 winner of the prestigious International Water Association (IWA) Global Water Award at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Glasgow, UK.

The highest of IWA’s global accolades, the Global Water Award recognises exceptional individuals who, through innovative leadership and practice, have made an outstanding contribution to progress towards a world in which water is wisely managed.

Clarissa Brocklehurst’s career has focused particularly on expanding access to safe water and sanitation for underserved populations. A civil engineer by training, she began her career working with Indigenous communities in North America before managing water and sanitation programmes in Togo and Sri Lanka. She served as WaterAid’s Country Representative in Bangladesh and as Regional Urban Specialist for the World Bank Water and Sanitation Program and as Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at UNICEF, leading technical support for UNICEF's extensive global WASH programming. 

She has played an important role in international WASH strategy and advocacy, including helping to establish the Sanitation and Water for All partnership and contributing to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, which tracks global progress on water, sanitation and hygiene. 

She has subsequently continued to influence the sector through consulting, academic and advisory roles, including as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, and through involvement with organisations and initiatives including WaterAid and international WASH monitoring and advisory groups.

Presentation of the award was made on 4 October during the Opening Ceremony of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition taking place in Glasgow, UK, 4-8 October.
The biennial IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition draws together individuals and organisations from across the globe who are working to advance solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. Focusing on the theme of ‘Water Action – The Path to Resilience and Prosperity’, the event has particular relevance to the climate change agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A hugely respected member of the global water community, Clarissa’s career combines field experience, policy leadership and global advocacy, with a sustained focus on ensuring that water and sanitation services reach those most at risk of being left behind.