As global demand for freshwater continues to rise, innovative solutions are becoming increasingly important. In the UK, England alone could face a public water supply shortfall of up to 5 billion litres per day by 2055.
Meeting this challenge will require a broader and more resilient mix of water resources. Desalination, water recycling and demand management are playing an increasingly important role alongside other measures to secure future supplies.
Against this backdrop, the European Desalination Society (EDS) will host its upcoming conference and exhibition, Water Resilience: Desalination, Recycling & Clean Water Solutions, at the Liverpool Experience (LEX) Campus in the UK from 4–7 May 2027.
The event will bring together experts from industry and academia to discuss sustainable approaches to water scarcity at the multi-purpose venue on Liverpool’s heritage waterfront.
Addressing the water crisis
Climate change, population growth and urbanisation are placing unprecedented pressure on freshwater resources, creating significant water-security challenges in Europe and worldwide. As conventional sources come under increasing pressure, desalination and water recycling are emerging as important components of diversified and resilient water-supply portfolios.
Desalination can provide a reliable, drought-resilient water source, particularly in coastal regions, reducing dependence on rainfall-dependent supplies. Water recycling can complement this by treating wastewater effluent to provide a reliable alternative source for industrial, agricultural and other non-potable applications, as well as potable reuse where appropriate.
Together, desalination and water recycling can diversify supplies, reduce pressure on conventional freshwater sources and strengthen resilience to drought and climate variability.
The importance of reuse and recycling
Water recycling supports a circular economy by treating and reusing water, reducing demand for new sources. Advanced treatment processes can produce high-quality recycled water for industrial, agricultural and environmental applications, as well as potable uses where appropriate regulatory and public-health frameworks are in place.
Sustainability goals
Desalination and water recycling can expand and diversify water-supply portfolios while reducing pressure on conventional freshwater sources. Advances in treatment processes, membranes, energy recovery and renewable energy integration are also helping to reduce the energy and carbon intensity of these technologies.
Depending on local circumstances, water recycling can provide an energy-efficient alternative to developing distant or more energy-intensive water sources.
Innovative technologies
Developments in reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and other membrane-based and advanced treatment processes are improving efficiency, reliability and water quality, while expanding the range of waters that can be treated and reused.
Digitalisation is also changing how desalination and water reuse systems are designed, operated and optimised. Next-generation membranes, energy recovery, advanced monitoring, artificial intelligence and digital twins are among the technologies supporting this transformation.
Resilience against climate variability
Desalination and water recycling can provide alternative water sources that are less dependent on rainfall, helping diversify supplies during drought and periods of water scarcity.
As these technologies expand, environmental performance will remain an important consideration. Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, managing brine and treatment residuals responsibly, protecting aquatic and marine environments and integrating renewable energy are key areas of ongoing innovation.
Circularity and resource recovery
Future water systems can go beyond treating water for discharge or recycling. Recovering valuable resources from wastewater, brines and treatment residuals, including nutrients, minerals, metals and energy, can support the transition towards more circular water systems.
Water for industry
Growing and emerging industries are creating new water challenges and opportunities. EDS2027 will explore desalination, water recycling and advanced treatment solutions for sectors including data centres, green hydrogen, mining and other water-intensive industries, as well as opportunities for high-recovery treatment and resource recovery.
Event highlights
EDS2027 will bring together researchers, utilities, technology providers, regulators, policymakers, consultants, industrial water users and other water-sector professionals to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation and discuss the practical implementation of resilient water solutions.
The programme will include keynote presentations from leaders in desalination, environmental science and water management, alongside panel discussions covering advances in desalination, water recycling and integrated water resources management. Workshops and networking opportunities will also encourage collaboration across sectors.
Call to action
EDS invites researchers, utilities, technology providers, regulators, policymakers, industrial water users and other stakeholders to join the international water community in Liverpool.
By bringing together research, operational experience, technological innovation and policy perspectives, EDS2027 will provide a platform to exchange knowledge, challenge established approaches and explore how desalination, water recycling and other clean-water solutions can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable water future.
All images courtesy of Caramondani.
