IDRA Awards
The International Desalination and Reuse Association is pleased to invite public and private entities to submit nominations for the IDRA Industry & Sustainability Awards Program by August 20, 2026.
The IDRA World Congress 2026 Industry & Sustainability Awards Program honors outstanding contributions within the water sector, recognizing the most innovative and impactful achievements of the past two years in addressing water scarcity.
All nominations will be forwarded to the IDRA World Congress 2026 Industry & Sustainability Awards Committee for thorough evaluation. The awards will be presented during the Gala Dinner at the IDRA World Congress 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026. We look forward to celebrating the industry's groundbreaking achievements and innovations at this highly anticipated event.
How to Submit your Nomination
To submit your nominations, please use the I&S Awards form to provide the information and kindly forward it to the [email protected] and [email protected] emails on or before the deadline of August 20, 2026.
The Nomination form can be found here.
IDRA WC26
Awards Categories: Recognizing Excellence
INDUSTRY AWARDS
- The Excellence in Public-Private Partnership Award- Recognizes outstanding collaboration between a company and a public utility to enhance infrastructure and drive positive community impact.
- The Pinnacle of Innovation Award for Most Innovative Utility in Water Management – Honors a public or private utility demonstrating exceptional innovation in securing clean and fresh water for consumers.
- The Breakthrough Innovation Award for Most Innovative Company, Utility, or Agency in Desalination Technology – Celebrates a company, utility, or agency pushing the boundaries of desalination through groundbreaking technologies and solutions.
- The Visionary Leadership Award for The Most Progressive Disruptive Policy in Water Reuse – Recognizes a public sector initiative driving significant advancements in water reuse through bold and innovative policy.
- The Excellence in Water Reuse Performance Award – Honors a company demonstrating unparalleled efficiency, best-in-class technology, and operational excellence in water reuse plant performance.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
- The Excellence Award for The Most Resilient City – Celebrates a city that has built exceptional infrastructure and practices to thrive and adapt in the face of climate change and water scarcity.
- The Most Innovative Water-Energy Nexus Project – Recognizes a project that bridges the gap between water and energy needs through innovative, synergistic solutions.
- The Global Sustainability Leadership Award for Best Implementer of UN SDG 6: Water for All – Honors a company’s exceptional commitment to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
- The Award for Lowest Carbon Footprint in Desalination – Celebrates a desalination facility demonstrating exemplary efforts in minimizing environmental impact through renewable energy and efficiency innovations.
- The Resilience in Action Award for Circular Water Resources – Recognizes a city excelling in sustainable circular water resource management, including conservation, recycling, and reuse within urban settings.
- The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award – Honors a company making a significant positive impact on society through innovative and impactful CSR projects related to water sustainability.
For more information on each award, and submission criteria please see here.
IDRA WC26
Submission Instructions & Criteria
Submission Instructions and Criteria
Nomination Process:
- Only active IDRA members may submit nominations; however, nominees are not required to be IDRA members.
- To submit your nominations, please use the I&S Awards form to provide the information and kindly forward it to the [email protected] and [email protected] emails on or before the deadline of August 20, 2026.
- To facilitate the nomination process, kindly fill in the Nomination Form.
- Submission criteria for each award can be found here.
Oversight Panel for IDRA Industry and Sustainability Awards:
The IDRA Awards’ commitment to transparency, integrity, and excellence is safeguarded by our discerning Panel of Judges, carefully assembled to represent the corporate, academic, and public utility sectors. This esteemed panel plays a crucial role in maintaining a transparent and credible review and ranking process for the prestigious IDRA Awards.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Establishing and adhering to clear and comprehensive evaluation criteria, ensuring a standardized and transparent assessment process.
Documentation and Accountability:
- Maintaining thorough documentation of the judging process and decisions to ensure accountability and transparency at every stage.
Open Communication:
- Facilitating open communication channels within the panel to discuss and address any queries or concerns related to the nominations and judging process.