About the event
We are delighted to share details of The River Summit and Festival 2026, taking place at Henley Town Hall on 4th September, and invite you to share this with your members.
The River Summit and Festival is an independent annual gathering that brings together scientists, citizen scientists, regulators, policymakers, lawyers, NGOs, technology innovators, farmers, artists and members of the public all united by a belief that our rivers deserve better. Born from a grassroots movement and entirely independently funded, it is a space for honest, unscripted conversation on the issues that matter most in water.
This year’s theme is The Power of People.
The day – 4th September
Doors open at 8.45am. The programme begins at 9.15am and runs until 6pm, followed by the Rivers of Film Festival from 6.30pm (details to follow).
The day includes panels, workshops, talks, debates and creative expression. Everyone who attends is welcome to participate in all areas.
Tickets are £55 and include a light lunch, a drink and a Yeti gift.
Topics being explored include:
- Regulating Rivers for the Future – what’s coming down the policy pipeline and what do we know about the new super regulator?
- Water Time – a cross-party Question Time-style discussion on water ownership, foreign investment and the Water Reform Bill
- Toxic by Design – sustainability in fashion and the hidden chemicals in everyday consumer products
- Power of People – stories of ordinary people who demanded and achieved change
- Farming and Policy – the business case for clean rivers and a just transition for farmers
- How Citizen Science Shifts the Dial – the role of community monitoring in holding power to account
Key speakers include:
- Monica Feria-Tinta – leading barrister and author of Barrister for the Earth
- Helen Wakeham – Director of Water, Environment Agency
- Ash Smith – Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, represented in Channel 4’s Dirty Business
- Brontie Ansell – Founder and Managing Director, Lawyers for Nature
- Pippa Neill – environmental journalist and associate producer of In Our Blood: The Forever Chemical Scandal
The Testing the Waters Consortium Area
A standalone space featuring tech innovators, monitoring manufacturers, citizen scientists, eDNA specialists, industry regulators and technology companies. Workshops and learning opportunities available throughout the day.
5th September — Free Community-Led Day
The festival continues on 5th September with a free, community-led day. Full details coming soon.
Tickets & Exhibiting Tables
Tickets: https://www.theriversummit.com/buy-tickets-2026
Exhibiting tables from £100: https://www.theriversummit.com/exhibiting-tables
Future for Water is an independent organisation. Charity number: 1212554 www.theriversummit.com | claire@zambuni.com
ASP is pleased to be an event supporter
