October 20, 2026 / 11:00 AM / New York City

By invitation only

Accelerating the flow of capital to water.

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Water is the next great frontier for capital. Rethinking Water brings the people who can move it into one room.

A one-day convening of the investors, utility leaders, corporate executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, and technology innovators shaping the future of water. Hosted by Sciens Water in the heart of New York City.

What we ignore

Water only makes headlines when it fails. The systems beneath our feet, and the capital they need, stay invisible.

01 / 04

Hidden Pipes

Out of sight. Out of mind.

2.2M

miles of pipe run beneath American soil, much of it laid before the moon landing.

Look beneath.

The New Demand

The cloud feels weightless.

10M

gallons of ultrapure water can move through a single advanced chip fab in a day. The digital economy is built on water.

No water, no chips.

Pristine ≠ Clean

It looks perfectly clear.

45%

of U.S. tap water is estimated to carry at least one PFAS. Chemistry you will never see.

Clarity is not purity.

The Leak

A drip is nothing.

6B

gallons of treated drinking water are lost in the U.S. every single day before they ever reach a tap.

Multiply the drip.

From the 2024 & 2025 convenings

The day

October 20, 2026

Main stage

  1. 11:00–11:15

    A Welcome from Columbia & Sciens Water

    Opening remarks from the conference partners, introducing the day’s capital-to-water theme and setting expectations for practical, investable outcomes.

  2. 11:20–12:00

    Framing Water Infrastructure: The Next Competitive Frontier

    A discussion featuring Prof. Lall (ASU, Columbia) and John Rigas (CEO Sciens) on today’s key water themes: Data Centers, Treatment, Colorado River and the Price of Water.

  3. 12:00–12:20

    Water in ReviewWhat Changed, What’s Next

    A data-led review of the market presented by Reese Tisdale (Bluefield Research) on policy shifts, utility spending and transactions that shaped the past year and inform the investment outlook.

  4. 12:30–1:30

    Lunch

    Interactive Programming and Breakouts

    Breakouts & interactive program
  5. 1:30–2:15

    What Success Looks Like in Water

    Highlights from water companies and how they have each built great companies by delivering results for investors, regulators, consumers and the industry as a whole.

    Featuring Veyra (Treatment), Flow (Distribution), Claros (PFAS), CSWR (Utility)

  6. 2:30–3:00

    Follow the CapitalOpportunities in Water

    A strategic market outlook led by industry veteran Bill Malarkey (Roland Berger) translating sector change into near-term opportunities across infrastructure, technology, utilities and digital, opening new investment opportunities.

  7. 3:15–4:00

    Water as an Asset ClassWhy Now

    A 1x1 discussion between Caitlin MacLean (Milken Institute) and Tom Rooney (Sciens Water). Why now, and why it’s a strong investment thesis.

  8. 4:00–4:45

    Where Every Industry Meets Water

    AI, semiconductor fabs and reshoring are creating a new wave of industrial water demand. Water risk affects operations, brands, wellness and capital decisions across industries.

    Featuring LG, Chobani, Data Centers, Real Estate

  9. 4:45–5:00

    Closing Remarks

    Synthesizes the day’s priorities, identifies the most actionable capital and partnership gaps, and sets the follow-up agenda for the Rethinking Water platform.

  10. 5:00–6:30

    VIP Water Tasting & Cocktail

Program subject to change

Location

320 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Save the date

October 20, 2026

11:00 AM 320 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

Accelerating the flow of capital to water.

By invitation only

Attendance is by approval. The Sciens Water team reviews each request and will confirm your seat by email. Or register on Luma