About This Conference
About IWA Conference on Sludge Management
The IWA Sludge Management Conference is an international conference focused on sludge management, organized by the Sludge Management Specialist Group (SMSG), one of the expert groups affiliated with the International Water Association (IWA), with support from IWA headquarters and other partners.
The first conference started in 1997 in Bari, Italy, and has been held 18 times around the world, exchanging information on research and technology for sludge treatment, disposal, and effective utilization. The 18th conference was held in Beijing, China, in May 2024, with the participation of about 300 experts.
Japan is honored by IWA SMSG to host this 19th International Conference in Kyoto, Japan, on October 21-24, 2025, for the first time in Japan.
History of IWA Conference on Sludge Management
| No. | Month | Year | City | Country | SMSG Chair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar | 1997 | Bari | Itary | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 2 | Jun | 1997 | Częstochowa | Poland | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 3 | Apr | 1999 | Fremantle | Australia | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 4 | Oct | 1999 | Athens | Greece | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 5 | Mar | 2001 | Taipei | Taiwan | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 6 | Oct | 2001 | Acapulco | Mexico | P. Balmer (Sweden) |
| 7 | Jun | 2003 | Trondheim | Norwey | L. Spinosa (Itary) |
| 8 | Mar | 2004 | Singapore | Singapore | L. Spinosa (Itary) |
| 9 | Aug | 2005 | Johannesburg | South Africa | L. Spinosa (Itary) |
| 10 | May | 2006 | Moscow | Russia | L. Spinosa (Itary) |
| 11 | Mar | 2007 | Antalya | Turkey | Steven K Dentel (USA) |
| 12 | Jun | 2007 | Moncton | Canada | Steven K Dentel (USA) |
| 13 | Aug | 2009 | Harbin | China | Steven K Dentel (USA) |
| 14 | May | 2013 | Västerås | Sweden | Banu Örmeci (Canada) |
| 15 | Jun | 2015 | Washington DC | USA | Banu Örmeci (Canada) |
| 16 | Jul | 2017 | London | UK | Banu Örmeci (Canada) |
| 17 | May | 2018 | Rome | Itary | Banu Örmeci (Canada) |
| 18 | May | 2024 | Beijing | China | Kwok-Wai Richard Tsang (USA) |
| 19 | Oct | 2025 | Kyoto | Japan | Kwok-Wai Richard Tsang (USA) |
Objectives
The conference will provide participants from academia, industry, and government agencies with an international forum where they can present their research results and developments in various fields related to sludge management and discuss them with each other.
about The 19th IWA Conference
