The IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Outfall Systems is inviting interested parties to submit proposals to host the International Symposium on Outfall Systems (ISOS) in either 2027 or 2028. Those interested in organising and hold the next ISOS event are invited to send a proposal to the chair of the IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Outfall System on, or before, 15th February, 2026.
Proposals should include details regarding the location, proposed timeframes, a budget plan, registration costs and support requirements (if applicable). Further details are provided below.
1. Event Overview:
ISOS is proposed to be a symposium focussed on the design, construction, management and operation of wastewater outfall systems. It is anticipated that the event would be inclusive of a wide range of relevant fields and disciplines including, but not limited to water resources, sanitation, hydraulics, oceanography, biology, coastal and environmental engineering. Experts in these fields will be invited to meet to exchange knowledge, discuss technologies, plus current and evolving issues relating to the release of wastewater into coastal waters, rivers, and estuaries.
This event will follow the ISOS series held in Argentina (2011), Oman (2014), Ottawa (2016), and Buenos Aires (2023). Please refer to the following link for further details of these events https://www.iahr.org/index/committe/16 .
2. Duration:
Two to three full days. Preferably the conference will be held in person as a face to face event, however online or hybrid format may also be considered.
3. Themes
It is envisaged that the ISOS will provide a stimulating and enriching forum to discuss the latest developments in outfall systems. Papers that describe new research, technical innovation, and interesting real-world case studies and projects are encouraged. The conference topics may include, but not be limited to:
Materials and construction of outfalls.
Environmental impacts of outfalls (assessment and mitigation).
Biological assessments of discharges (biological sciences, public health risk assessments).
Methods for estimation of near field and far-field mixing and pollutant dispersion.
Experimental techniques and laboratory studies.
Computational techniques (CFD).
Intake/outfall systems for industrial applications (cooling water, desalination brine, etc).
Coastal-zone or river-basin management with outfall systems.
Field measurement techniques and monitoring of outfall systems (onsite, remote sensing, modelling, combined).
Outfalls in rivers and smaller inland waterways.
Ecologically friendly outfall structures (Building-with-Nature).
Discharge regulations and outfall investigations, including monitoring and compliance.
Outfall perception, decision processes, treatment and outfall location trade-offs, community/society and culture of indigenous groups.
Case studies
4. Logistics
A fee structure should be proposed, potentially adopting a similar model to previous events. Any special rates e.g. for students, for members of the IAHR, the IWA or for any other professional organisation who is endorsing the event should be documented.
Profit: For details about the charges by IAHR and IWA, please contact the chair (refer details below). The profit/loss recorded at the end of this event is the responsibility of the Local Organisation Committee (LOC).
5. Symposium Format and Expected Attendance
While there is a preference for an in-person event, the following formats are also invited, if they are considered to be appropriate: on-line, hybrid.
Provisionally it is expected that around 20 to 60 papers may be submitted. Attendance at an in-person event may also be in a similar range. It is however noted that these numbers may be dependent on the location of the event and the marketing effort. Numbers may also be raised if the symposium could be appended to another event of mutual interest e.g. an IAHR or IWA congress.
6. Support Solicited
IAHR and IWA
Support from the IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Outfall Systems
Advertising of the event
LOC:
Bidding to host the ISOS 2027/28
Preparing a brief of their bid and presenting it to the members of the IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Outfall Systems
Setting up of the Local Organizing Committee
Advertising the event
Details regarding organisation of the conference
Proposal for paper publication; Special issue in a scientific journal is encouraged.
7. Timing Requirements
The LOC will ensure that ISOS 2027/28 will be held such that it would avoid scheduling competition with other relevant major engineering or environmentally focused conferences.
For more information, please contact: Ed Beling (edbeling@intrawater.com) or Ms. Jenny Lu at Jenny.Lu@iahr.org