Xylem and partners launch “Wave of Action” to improve clean water access

Xylem’s Wave of Action builds on Watermark’s 2024 momentum, where volunteers collectively dedicated more than 220,000 hours to advancing water security.

Leading up to World Water Day 2025, Xylem’s network of partners is coming together to create a Global Watermark Wave of Action. Throughout the week of March 17-22, customers, distributors, suppliers, nonprofit partners and employees will mobilize thousands of volunteers to deliver education programs, cleanups and humanitarian projects expanding access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Collaboration is key to driving collective impact

Xylem partners play an essential role in advancing Watermark’s humanitarian efforts. In 2024, Xylem’s customers, other partners and employees dedicated more than 220,000 volunteer hours, working with 1,380 nonprofit organizations across 55 countries.

Last year, alone, Xylem Watermark initiatives helped:

• Provide emergency clean water to 54,000 people in Brazil after devastating floods, in partnership with Planet Water Foundation.
• Assemble 2,000 water filters, delivering safe drinking water to 20,000 people in crisis zones like Ukraine.
• Fund WASH education programs for children affected by the Morocco earthquake.
• Help families in rural America achieve water security by installing or upgrading home wells through our partnership with the Chris Long Foundation and Water Well Trust.
• Mobilize over 3,000 people to assist schools facing water contamination and raise $200,000 for water infrastructure projects.

Since 2019, these collective efforts have provided WASH solutions to more than 16 million people, educated over 12 million people on water safety, and responded to 154 water-related disasters. Together, we’re making a lasting impact – one drop at a time.

Partner spotlight: Delivering safe drinking water in rural India  

These efforts aren’t just numbers – they represent real people and communities. One powerful example occurred in December 2024, when distributor partners joined forces with Planet Water Foundation to bring clean water to schools in rural India.

At primary schools in the villages of Goraj and Vangarwa in Gujarat, India, students once relied on contaminated borewells for water, leading to frequent absences and serious health risks from waterborne diseases. To deliver safe drinking water for the students, Watermark volunteers installed two AquaTower filtration systems. The water towers will serve both the schools and the broader community, providing safe water access to more than 3,500 people, including nearly 500 children. Alongside the infrastructure, volunteers also provided WASH education to students and members of the community to empower them with the knowledge to prevent disease.

"Clean water is life-changing," said George Efstratiadis, Managing Director at Idator SA, a Xylem distributor in Greece and one of the project’s key contributors. "Seeing how this initiative is improving health and education for children is a reminder of what we can achieve together."

In addition to Idator SA, Xylem distributors O.Y. Water Engineering Ltd., Munster Services Group, ETAL, Grüning + Loske, MERIS and Vessco Water supported or participated in the tower builds, with employee volunteers traveling from Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Poland, Australia and Croatia to provide a helping hand.

“Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right, and it’s inspiring to see how our customers and partners are helping to make this a reality for communities in need,” said Hayati Yarkadas, Senior Vice President and President, Water Infrastructure at Xylem. “Their dedication to this mission underscores the power of collaboration. Together, we’re delivering solutions that improve lives today and build resilience for tomorrow.”

Join the Wave of Action to advance water security

To continue this momentum in 2025, Xylem and partners invite everyone to join Watermark’s Wave of Action campaign from March 17-22. Volunteers can lead a cleanup, participate in an educational event, support WASH initiatives, or make an individual donation. Visit Global Watermark Wave of Action to watch an inspiring webinar, download free playbooks to organize activities and track your impact.

“Around the world, volunteers are driving meaningful progress toward ensuring clean water and sanitation for communities everywhere. The Wave of Action is an opportunity to scale our impact on urgent water challenges and help communities become water-secure. We’ve seen what’s possible when people come together to take real action.”

-Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem

Join the Wave of Action today.