19th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control

The 19th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control will be held from 13–17 September 2026 in the city of Chania, on the island of Crete, Greece. The conference is part of the IWA Specialist Group “Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control” series, a bi-annual event that serves as a global forum for discussion and knowledge exchange on the state of the art in scientific and practical development and implementation of nature-based solutions. The focus is placed on constructed wetlands that contribute to water quality improvement, while also delivering co-benefits and ecosystem services.

The main conference topics include:
i) Treatment Wetlands in the Urban Environment;
ii) Nature-based solutions and Treatment Wetlands in urban and rural contexts for water management;
iii) Wetlands in harsh environments;
iv) Treatment Wetlands and NBS in the circular economy;
v) Intensified Wetlands;
vi) Fate and removal of emerging pollutants in NBS;
vii) Treatment Wetlands and NBS for industry;
viii) Wetland co-benefits and multifunctionalities;
ix) Wetland process understanding and modelling;
x) Case studies of Treatment Wetlands and NBS;
xi) Monitoring and remote sensing of wetlands;
xii) Wetland conservation and restoration;
xiii) Wetland and NBS economics.

Chania is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Greece, built on the prehistoric city of Kidonia. The city offers a remarkable blend of ancient Minoan, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, traditional and modern architecture, reflecting a journey through millennia. Chania is renowned for its rich history, the old town with its maze-like alleys, the Venetian mansions and harbour, the fountain, the churches, and the Lighthouse built in 1570.

The conference is organized by the Laboratory of Environmental Engineering and Management of the Technical University of Crete and will gather the latest developments in research and implementation of nature-based solutions and wetland systems for water pollution control. It also aims to accelerate the adoption of treatment wetlands in Greece and across the wider Balkan and East Mediterranean region.

The official working language of the conference is English. The programme will include oral and flash oral presentations, as well as poster sessions.