More than 26 million Australians rely on wastewater infrastructure every day, yet the industry responsible for managing the nation’s liquid and environmental waste has never had a dedicated national exhibition.
That will change when the Liquid & Environmental Waste Expo (LEW26) launches at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, on October 28-29, 2026.
Co-located with AUSJET26, LEW26 has been created to provide a national platform for the businesses, councils, utilities, contractors and specialists responsible for managing Australia’s wastewater, sewerage, drainage and environmental waste streams.
For an industry that protects public health, safeguards waterways and supports communities across Australia, the launch is long overdue.
Nationally, more than 2200 gigalitres of wastewater are collected and treated annually through an extensive network of treatment plants, pumping stations and sewer systems. Despite its scale and importance, the sector has traditionally operated behind the scenes, receiving far less attention than solid waste, recycling and resource recovery.
According to Gary Fitz-Roy, Founder of Expertise Events, LEW26 has been designed to give the sector the dedicated platform it has long deserved.
“For decades, Australia’s liquid waste sector has quietly delivered one of the most important services in the country, yet it has rarely had a dedicated platform to showcase innovation, share knowledge and bring the industry together,” said Fitz-Roy.
“Every household, business, hospital, school and industrial facility relies on the people and infrastructure that manage wastewater and environmental waste. LEW26 recognises the importance of that work and creates a national meeting place for the industry’s future.”
He said the launch comes at a pivotal time for the sector.
Water authorities, councils and private operators are responding to ageing infrastructure, population growth, increasing environmental compliance requirements, climate resilience challenges and growing demand for water recycling. At the same time, advances in automation, robotics, remote inspection and digital asset management are reshaping the way critical infrastructure is maintained.
“For the first time, the businesses responsible for managing Australia’s liquid waste infrastructure will have an event built specifically for them,” Fitz-Roy said.
“LEW26 will provide a forum where the industry can come together to learn, collaborate and prepare for the next phase of growth.”
A key component of that vision is education.
In a major early endorsement of the event, Cleanaway has been confirmed as a sponsor of the LEW26 Education Hub, enabling the entire seminar program to be offered free of charge.
The program will feature practical presentations covering environmental compliance, operational efficiency, emerging technologies, workplace safety, asset management, infrastructure renewal and future industry trends.
“Cleanaway’s support will help make valuable industry knowledge accessible to everyone attending the event, benefiting not just individual businesses but the industry as a whole,” Fitz-Roy said.
Industry support is already building, with leading suppliers across wastewater treatment, vacuum loading, jetting equipment, pipeline rehabilitation, inspection technology and environmental services committing to exhibit.
Confirmed exhibitors include Remondis, Envirowaste Services, Mega Pacific and Emtivac Engineering, demonstrating strong early confidence in the event from across the sector.
LEW26 has also secured the support of the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association (WCRA), further strengthening industry engagement and helping to ensure the event reflects the needs and priorities of operators, contractors and service providers across Australia.
Fitz-Roy said WCRA’s early support reflects growing recognition of the need for a dedicated national event focused on the liquid and environmental waste sector.
Beyond the conference program, LEW26 will place a strong emphasis on live equipment demonstrations, allowing visitors to see technologies operating in realistic conditions before making purchasing and investment decisions.
Featured technologies will include vacuum and suction systems, high-pressure water jetting equipment, CCTV inspection systems, robotics and crawler technologies, pipe rehabilitation solutions, drones, environmental monitoring equipment and confined-space safety systems.
The event is expected to attract professionals from wastewater treatment, municipal services, sewer and drainage maintenance, septic services, vacuum loading, portable sanitation, pipe rehabilitation and environmental management.
As Australia prepares for the next generation of water and environmental infrastructure investment, LEW26 aims to become the industry’s national meeting place for innovation, education and collaboration.
After decades of operating behind the scenes, Australia’s liquid and environmental waste sector is finally getting a platform of its own.
Liquid & Environmental Waste Expo (LEW26)
October 28-29, 2026
Hall 6, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Co-located with AUSJET26
Free entry with registration.
Register, here
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