NCG2026
Nationaal Congres Grondwater – 2026
Dutch National Groundwater Conference – 2026
Shaping the Future of Groundwater
Organised by IAH – Dutch National Chapter & partners
Venue: IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Date: 11 June 2026, Time: 08:30 – 18:00
Language: English (Dutch optional)
This event brings together groundwater professionals, from scientific research to policy and practice, fostering dialogue across disciplines and sectors towards sustainable groundwater protection, use and management.
Aims of the Conference
- Bring together and connect those working on (inter)national groundwater topics based in the Netherlands
- Cross-sectoral scope: From policy and legislation, to contracting and consultancy, to science and research
- Provide an overview of the wide range of (inter)national groundwater activities from professionals in the Netherlands
- Facilitate students and early-career professionals entering the groundwater field
- Increase visibility and awareness of the importance of groundwater
Conference Program
The full-day event encompasses 2 keynote speakers, 8 parallel sessions with 34 oral presentations and a dedicated poster session with 30 posters.
| 08:30 – 09:20 | Registration & Welcome Coffee | ||
| 09:30 – 10:10 | Opening Ceremony Keynote speaker – Ida de Groot-Wallast |
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| 10:20 – 11:20 | Session 1 Managed Aquifer Recharge & Applications |
Session 2 Regional Hydrogeology & System Characterisation |
Session 3 Climate Change, Drought & Extremes |
| 11:20 – 11:40 | Coffee Break | ||
| 11:50 – 12:50 | Session 4 Governance, Policy & Societal Challenges |
Session 5 Ecohydrology & Groundwater–Surface Water Interactions |
Session 6 Groundwater Quality: Contaminants, Impacts & Risks |
| 12:50 – 13:40 | Lunch Break | ||
| 13:50 – 14:30 | Dedicated poster session | ||
| 14:30 – 15:45 | Session 8 Groundwater Modelling & Digital Methods |
Session 9 Coastal Groundwater & Salinisation |
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| 16:00 – 16:45 | Plenary & Closing Session Keynote speaker – Marijke Huysmans |
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| 16:45 – 18:00 | Networking Drinks | ||
Please find the detailed conference program here.
Keynote lecturers:
Ida de Groot-Wallast
senior groundwater policy officer
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management,
The Hague, the Netherlands
Marijke Huysmans
professor in groundwater hydrology
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
Venue
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is based in Delft, the Netherlands. The premises are located near Delft Station and are on the edge of the historical city centre of Delft.
Visiting address: Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft, The Netherlands
How to get to IHE Delft
Google Maps: View IHE Delft location and plan your journey on Google Maps.
Public transport: IHE Delft is easy to reach by train, bus and tram. IHE Delft faces Delft Station and is a short walking distance away. Plan your journey by train or other public transport.
From Schiphol/Amsterdam Airport by train: Visitors arriving at Schiphol/Amsterdam Airport can travel to IHE Delft by train (approx. 45 minutes). The railway station is at Schiphol Plaza, in the center of the airport. In some cases, it is necessary to change trains at either Leiden Central Station or The Hague Holland Spoor (Den Haag HS) Station. Read more about travelling by train from Schiphol Airport.
Car parking: Visitors are advised to come by bike or public transport. For participants travelling by car, paid parking is available nearby at the Phoenixgarage.
Call for abstracts
We invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and educators to submit original abstracts for oral and poster presentations addressing groundwater-related research, applications, and innovations. Contributions may be theoretical, methodological, or applied, and interdisciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged.
Important Dates
- 15 January 2026 – Call for abstracts opens
- 15 March 2026 – Abstract submission deadline
- 15 April 2026 – Abstract acceptance communication
- 25 April 2026 – Congress registration deadline for presenters
We look forward to your contributions and to an engaging exchange of ideas on current and emerging groundwater challenges and solutions.
Abstract Submission and Guidelines
PLEASE NOTE: Abstract submission is now closed.
Abstracts must be submitted using the Abstract submission form.
The abstract body text must not exceed 200 words.
Authors may indicate a preference for oral or poster presentation; however, the Congress Committee reserves the right to make the final allocation, including session tagging based on the submitted topics.
All correspondence regarding abstracts will be sent to the corresponding author, who is responsible for informing co-authors.
At least one author must be registered for the congress for the abstract to be included in the Congress programme.
Each registered participant may present one abstract.
Registration
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is now closed
Registration fees include access to the full Congress programme and coffee/tea breaks, lunch and borrel.
Student rate: 20 € (bachelor’s, master’s and PhD)
Regular rate: 35 €
Register your attendance via the Registration form. Registration officially closes at 17:00 on 5 May 2026.
Congress Organisation
Congress Committee
Victor Bense, Wageningen University and Research
Boris van Breukelen, TU Delft
Reynold Chow, Wageningen University and Research
Arjen Oord, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland
Andrew Pearson, IGRAC
Vincent Post, Edinsi Groundwater, NHV
Yvonne Schavemaker, TNO
Tibor Stigter, IHE Delft
Thomas Sweijen, Utrecht University
Ype van der Velden, VU Amsterdam
Gerhard Winters, CRUX Engineering BV
IAH-NL Board
Daniela Benedicto
Niels Hartog
Ádám Tóth
Ane Wiersma
Conference contact
Have a question about the conference, registration, or programme?
Get in touch with us — we’re happy to help.
