What is WaterXChange 2025
Expo & Conference?
Rethinking our conventional approach to water management
in the new era of digitalization
WaterXChange Expo 2025 specifically focuses on water-energy and digitalization nexus. Digital transformation and AI is essential for organizations to stay competitive in today’s fast-evolving business landscape. This journey comes with challenges that must be carefully navigated such as cultural resistance to change, talent shortages, legacy systems integration, data security, customer experience transformation, agility in implementation, regulatory compliance, operational challenges, and sustainability. A particular focus will be laid on policy-focused discussions and how digitalization, multi-level stakeholder engagement, and capacity building can help transformational change.
The event presents digitalization tools and solutions, innovative frameworks and methodologies, as well as tailored inclusive and active-learning knowledge exchange, customized service, and consultation on the most emerging water-related issues to support transformative change towards a more circular and sustainable water cycle in rural, peri-urban, and urban environments.
November 18-21, 2025
Messe Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
Why WaterXChange
Is Unique?
We connect the dots to simplify and advance the understanding of digitalization in the water sector
We will learn how to work smarter, not harder, to benefit from the new era of digitalization
We create a comprehensive dialogue on sustainable water and energy management by integrating policy, educational deep dives and cutting-edge technology
We aim to grow professionally through hands-on workshops and masterclasses
Join our WXC community of professionals. Our goal is to create a community of professionals who will support you in building the future of sustainable water. As a member of this community, you will have access to it throughout the year - the discussion never stops!
WaterXChange
Attendees
Policymakers and political decision-makers
Water & Energy utilities
Technology Companies & Startups
Scientists & Academia
Investors
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
Research & Innovation Institutions
Our mission is to connect and mobilize our target audiences to analyze the challenges and pathways to overcome them, match needs with solutions, promote cross-fertilization of knowledge and means for co-creation, foster action implementation through multi-level collaboration advancing adaptation and scaling across contexts using digital solutions and insights from research and innovation
5 Conference Fields
Explore WaterXChange content
FIELD 1
Water Demand and Water Loss Management in Cities and Communities
Fresh Water
Water loss reduction, non-revenue water, infrastructure & resource planning, quality and control, water distribution network, emerging pollutants
Water & Environment
Water efficiency – tools, methods, heat resilience, alerting and monitoring, risk management, flood, drought management, land use change and ecosystem restoration, citizen science.
Wastewater
Resource recovery and circular economy, NBS, wastewater desalination, environmental impacts reduction, environmental impact reduction
Decentralized Treatment
Examine innovative approaches such as rain-gardens for run-off management, wetlands for sewage treatment, green walls for grey water, and advancements in constructed wetlands, including aeration and recirculation techniques
Engagement of locals and visitors
Explore methods to encourage water-saving behaviors and efficient communication strategies using digital tools. Learn about storytelling techniques to educate communities on sustainable practices and participate in workshops on water demand management.
FIELD 2
Water-Energy Nexus
Investigate the integration of renewable energy in water management, innovative mineral extraction methods, energy production from wastewater treatment, and applications of geothermal and heat pump technology. Address the nexus of water, energy, and emerging contaminants. We bring in together: energy experts and technologies, facilitating a comprehensive water-energy nexus discussion.
FIELD 3
Financing and Investment
Analyze cost-benefit scenarios for smart long-term water management planning and discover financing opportunities in water innovation. Engage in meaningful discussions across sectors to generate policy recommendations and investment strategies.
FIELD 4
Capacity-Building and Policy
Participate in training programs for entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and communities. Understand the influence of EU Directives on local policies and mainstream sustainable water management practices. Explore methods for integrating water treatment NBS into urban planning. Transforming the way we learn.
FIELD 5
Common Fields of Digitalization
Dive into the integration of IoT, digital twins, and process modeling in water management. Address the “data-rich, information-poor” challenge, and envision a future with fully automated, AI-operated water infrastructure.
Experience Freiburg
Freiburg is known for its pioneering efforts in environmental sustainability and water management. The city has led the way in micropollutant removal and remediation, with institutions like KOMS in Stuttgart and projects along the Rhine River catchment showcasing significant advancements. With the warmest climate in Germany, a joyful population, and a vibrant community of water enthusiasts, Freiburg offers a welcoming atmosphere.
As the gateway to the Black Forest and home to Europe’s largest aquifer, the city stands out for its natural beauty and strategic importance in water resource management. Its participation in the Upper Rhine EU Project and designation as a RAMSAR-VIP area highlight Freiburg's commitment to cross-border cooperation and wetland conservation. Embracing climate adaptation and the sponge city concept, Freiburg has been a leader in sustainability since the 1970s, making it the perfect venue for meaningful discussions and innovations in water management.
FEW FACTS ABOUT FREIBURG:
-
Biggest Aquifer in Europe
-
Environment & Sustainability pioneering since the 1970's
-
Climate Adaption Strategy, Sponge City, Blue Community
-
RAMSAR–VIP area at Upper Rhine
-
Germany’s largest drinking water treatment plant in close environment: Bodensee-Wasserversorgung
-
Upper Rhine EU Project-Germany, Switzerland, France
-
Freiburg is part of the Blue Community
Our Advisory Board
Christina Fritsch
Project Manager
FWTM
Phillip Grimm
Founder & CEO
Pluvion
David Balsar
GM Innovation and Ventures
MEKOROT
Ralf Zaehringer
Head of Department
Environmental Regulatory Authority Freiburg
Robert Brears
Founder
Our Future Water
Johanna Fischer
Consultant for innovation
FrauBlau
Carme Machí Castañer
Expert in Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Water Management
ICLEI Europe
WaterXChange
November 18-21, 2025
Messe Freiburg, Neuer Messplatz 3, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
Sign up to Receive
News and Updates
Contact Us
Join Us on the Journey
© 2024 by WaterXChange. All rights Reserved.