2026 Predictions: The Next Frontier Of Water Starts Now

By Mackenzie Martin, PE

Emerging trends signal a new era of agility, ethics, and resilience for water professionals.

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) reached a tipping point in the water industry, with rapid transformation and widespread adoption building on several years of steady progress. So far, AI has supported data discovery, improved project outcomes, and enhanced data-rich workflows. Looking ahead, 2026 will bring even greater opportunities and some challenges, pushing the industry and its constituents to modernize, plan strategically, and embrace change.

This article will look closely at emerging trends and predictions for 2026, exploring how the water sector is evolving and what it means for engineers, utilities, and the communities they serve.

Era Of Empowerment: Smaller Utilities Will Embrace Modernization

One of the largest shifts we’ll see in 2026 is the acceleration of smaller utilities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), along with programs like the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, USDA Rural Development grants, and state-level initiatives, have provided significant funding to smaller utilities. As a result, smaller systems will invest more in new technology and modernize with system mapping, enhanced planning, and a stronger digital inventory of their assets. With a clearer view of their assets, smaller utilities can use AI tools to make sense of the data they collect, helping them achieve more scalable and resilient systems.

For example, a small utility in Tennessee that received recent funding is now able to invest in asset management and future capital improvement projects. Barge Design Solutions is supporting this effort by developing an asset management plan that will incorporate fresh GIS data, create a comprehensive asset inventory, and evaluate the lifecycle, condition, and capacity of existing assets. This gives the utility a clear understanding of its infrastructure, enabling informed decisions about future capital improvements and ensuring the community has a reliable water system.

Balancing Progress And Ethics: Responsible AI Adoption And Data Center Development

AI will grow to new heights in 2026. It will move from an emerging concept to a practical tool. Conversational AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, CoPilot, Google Gemini) and custom agent creation will become more accessible, making it easier for water engineers to integrate AI into workflows and unlock new efficiencies.

At the same time, engineers will be challenged to balance this innovation with responsible use. Conversations around the ethical considerations of AI will continue to push engineers to view AI as a tool, rather than a replacement of human judgement. On an organizational level, firms must have plans in place to ensure data is handled appropriately, and prioritize transparency when AI generated information is used in decision making.

Similarly, as AI adoption continues to grow in 2026, the demand for data centers and the water and energy they require will continue to rise. These facilities have unique water needs that many utilities are not currently equipped to provide, underscoring the need for responsible planning and smart resource management. For water engineers, this means conducting more planning studies, scenario testing, and identifying necessary infrastructure upgrades to support this growth. The new challenge will be balancing the benefits of AI while working to improve the long-term health and resilience of water systems.

Building For The Future: Climate Change And Urban Expansion Defines Infrastructure Projects

Climate change patterns will drive project priorities this year as we continue to experience large shifts in the timing, intensity, and frequency of rain events. These changes have a direct impact on inflow and infiltration of wastewater systems, and moving forward, utilities are expected to place greater emphasis on evaluating their collection systems and capacity constraints. Inflow and infiltration (I&I) studies, hydraulic evaluations, and resiliency planning will become key project themes as utilities prepare for conditions that are different than what their systems were originally designed for.

Similarly, rapid population growth will require utilities to shift their long-term needs to support increased water demand. Knoxville, Tennessee is a great example of this. It’s one of the most in-demand cities in the southeast; a recent report indicates it will be the top city for people to move to in 2026. Knoxville utilities didn’t plan for this extreme growth, so they now must assess their infrastructure to ensure it can support increased water demand and have the system capacity for wastewater flows. With population growth on the rise nationwide, projects will include more demand evaluation, water age studies, analysis of pressure zones, and planning initiatives to prepare and keep up with such growth.

Regulatory Pressures And Sustainability Will Reshape Priorities

Regulations will play a major role in decision making and water project planning this year, particularly those related to PFAS, the Lead and Copper Rule, and stormwater resilience. This will require more documentation and increased reporting responsibilities for utilities to ensure public health and safety is prioritized. Looking deeper, microplastics will also be a key priority, requiring utilities to take deliberate steps to address their presence in drinking water. This includes closer monitoring and comprehensive evaluation of microplastics within water systems.

Sustainability will be considered a standard and emerge as a long-term priority for firms and utilities. This will push utilities to prioritize their carbon footprint and explore more renewable energy options. On a project level, energy efficient pumping strategies, distribution systems, and extensive water age modeling and planning will become necessary measures to meet evolving sustainability and environmental priorities.  Flexibility will be key critical in these scenarios, and AI can play a key role by enabling quick evaluations and making approaches more practical and sustainable. Engineering firms like Barge will see a growing role in supporting sustainability goals through stronger planning practices, including hydraulic modeling, data analysis, and forecasting.

Agility Will Define The Next Generation Of Water Engineers

Water engineers must be prepared to blend traditional fundamentals with modern tools. A strong understanding of emerging technologies is essential to stay up to speed. This includes the responsible use of AI and working with advanced modeling tools and data-rich workflows. Applying these practices will keep water engineers sharp and positioned at the forefront of industry growth and innovation.

As the current workforce ages, today’s engineers will also need to be intentional about preparing future generations. This means exposing engineering students to industry realities and educating them early on in data analysis and ethical AI use. Increased participation in STEM Programs and classroom engagement will help inspire and equip the next generation of water engineers, paving the way for their success and the future of the workforce.

Setting The Stage For Success In 2026

The success of the water industry will be defined by proactive planning and strategic adoption of technologies. Utilities can build resilience by addressing pressures from climate change, regulatory requirements, and urban expansion through forward-thinking strategies. Firms can support this evolution by innovating with AI, pushing engineers to use it responsibly while delivering stronger planning and data insights. Together, the industry is positioned for growth, leveraging smart collaboration to meet the demands of the rapidly changing world.

Mackenzie Martin, PE, is a civil engineer in the water group at Barge Design Solutions. With a master’s degree in civil engineering and extensive experience in the water sector, Mackenzie is passionate about developing sustainable and efficient solutions for water distribution systems, wastewater management, and environmental conservation.