Transforming Water, West 2026

Rethinking Water is a collaboration between the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, Columbia University, and SciensWater that brings together leaders from finance, industry, and government within a university setting to better understand and address America's water challenges. Over the past decade, the event has emerged as the premier annual convening focused on water innovation and policy. The sixth annual Rethinking Water event was held during New York City Climate Week in September 2025. Last year, for the first time, Rethinking Water went West, hosted by the ASU Water Institute, marking the emergence of Arizona State University and the Phoenix region as a national hub for purposeful dialogue on water. In 2026, Rethinking Water will evolve into Transforming Water, signaling that the time is ripe to move towards action, from "rethinking" to transforming our water systems! Transforming Water, West, the inaugural event under this new theme, will take place on March 20, 2026. Together, these conversations aim to set and achieve time-bound goals for America's water transformation, considering geography, community, technology, policy, investment, and implementation. Thought leaders from industry, academia, and government are invited to participate. The event will also feature a water technology startup showcase, icebreakers for investors and entrepreneurs, and ample networking opportunities.