IWA Announces 2026 Fellows and Distinguished Fellows
Published on Oct 9, 2026
The International Water Association (IWA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2026 IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows. These appointments recognise water professionals for their sustained outstanding contributions to the sector and their commitment to advancing IWA’s mission of creating a water-wise world.
For 2026, the IWA Board of Directors has confirmed six new IWA Distinguished Fellows and 22 new IWA Fellows, representing water professionals from across the global IWA community.
Recognition as an IWA Fellow or Distinguished Fellow represents a high honour bestowed upon an individual by the Association. IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows form a unique community of internationally recognised water professionals who provide leadership and expertise across water science, technology and management.
The 2026 Fellows and Distinguished Fellows will be recognised during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 in Glasgow, UK, taking place from 4–8 October.
2026 IWA Distinguished Fellows
IWA Distinguished Fellows are outstanding water professionals recognised for their unique and long-term contributions to advancing water science and management and for their leadership in supporting IWA’s mission and objectives.
Name | Country |
Bruce Rittmann | United States |
How Yong Ng | Singapore |
Pedro Alvarez | United States |
Guoren Xu | China |
Giorgio Mannina | Italy |
Faizal Bux | South Africa |
2026 IWA Fellows
IWA Fellows are recognised professionals who have made sustained outstanding contributions to the national and regional water sector, as well as to IWA.
Name | Country |
Enrique Cabrera | Spain |
Jianhua Guo | Australia |
Yongjun Zhang | China |
Janelcy Alferes Castano | Belgium |
Mary Ann Dickinson | United States |
Pabel Cervantes Aviles | Mexico |
Diane D’Arras | France |
Rita Henderson | Australia |
Thammarat Koottatep | Thailand |
Juan Antonio Baeza Labat | Spain |
Robert Nerenberg | United States |
Xin Yang | China |
Ines Breda | Denmark |
Shuming Liu | China |
Josef Lahnsteiner | Austria |
Joerg Krampe | Austria |
Miklos Patziger | Hungary |
Mara Ramos | Brazil |
Qian Li | China |
Samenda Sherchan | United States |
Jacob Amengor | Canada |
Sitong Liu | China |
The appointments bring together professionals working across academia, utilities, research, industry and other areas of the water sector, reflecting the breadth and international reach of the IWA community.
IWA warmly congratulates all of the incoming Fellows and Distinguished Fellows on their appointments and looks forward to recognising the 2026 cohort in Glasgow.
About the IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows Community
The IWA Fellows appointment recognises the sustained outstanding contribution of experienced water professionals to the national and regional water sector, as well as to IWA. Appointments are initially for a period of five years. Fellows support IWA’s mission and leadership in implementing the Association’s Strategic Plan, promoting IWA, supporting the growth of its network and increasing member engagement.
The IWA Distinguished Fellow designation is an honorific recognition, limited in number, for IWA Fellows – and a restricted number of other professionals – who have been recognised for their long-term, extraordinary contributions to the global water sector and for leadership in supporting IWA’s mission and objectives.
Distinguished Fellows are appointed for life and support IWA’s mission and leadership at the international level, helping to advance the Association’s aims and reputation.