Managers, planners and designers in water management are already dealing with a number of pressures such as new regulations, increases in water usage, greater demands in terms of risk avoidance, and changes in population demography. But now it is obvious that the changes in weather bring new pressures. This conference is focussed on the practical consequences of the changes and how these can be mitigated and accommodated. The programme will have a practical focus which fits in well with the interests of the delegates and exhibitors at IFAT 2008.