Global Water Scarcity Poses Major Health Risk to Billions

Access to safe water and sanitation remains a critical health challenge affecting billions of people worldwide. According to global estimates, more than two billion people lack access to safe water while 3.4 billion people lack access to safe sanitation.

This creates significant public health risks, as contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to diseases including cholera and dysentery, highlighting why safe water access is particularly vital for underserved communities.

Join us at Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit to hear from sustainability leaders on The Water Sustainability Summit panel, in association with Ecolab.

Sustainability leaders convene for water solutions

As organisations work towards addressing these health challenges, numerous companies have launched initiatives and partnerships focused on water stewardship. Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit will bring together sustainability leaders for The Water Sustainability Summit panel to discuss how water access impacts global health outcomes.

The panel takes place on 22 April, 2026 as part of Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit, which convenes leading sustainability experts to examine environmental issues and their solutions. The Water Sustainability Summit will explore how organisations can advance beyond efficiency towards water positivity, addressing how water scarcity and pollution have become pressing global health risks requiring urgent and innovative responses.

Sustainability leaders from Ecolab, GRUNDFOS, Pentair and the Water Environment Federation will participate in the panel. Speakers will examine emerging frameworks, partnerships and technologies designed to ensure water security while creating shared value for communities and ecosystems.

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Addressing the global water crisis

At the World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Ecolab partnered with other organisations to launch Get Blue, described as a global movement aimed at solving the water crisis. Ecolab collaborated with Water.org, Gap, Amazon and Starbucks to establish the initiative, with each company providing products, content and experiences to help fund water access projects.

The movement mobilises brands, creators, consumers and capital towards providing clean water to communities facing health risks from water insecurity. Emilio Tenuta, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, will speak on The Water Sustainability Summit panel about Ecolab's partnerships including Get Blue, alongside discussing solutions for global water access and sanitation.

Emilio explains on LinkedIn: "Get Blue is designed to enable consumer and B2B companies to treat water as a core operating and market issue. We know that when we help customers use water smarter, we unlock growth, value and impact. By joining forces with global leaders to expand access to safe water, we can tackle global water scarcity and strengthen the communities in which we all operate."

Reducing water withdrawal and expanding access

Courtney Tripp, US Sustainability Director at GRUNDFOS, will share lessons from her work at the water solutions company, which became the first of its kind to have its targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

According to the company's progress reports, GRUNDFOS achieved 93% of its water reduction target in 2024, aiming to reduce withdrawal by 50% compared to a 2008 baseline through water recovery initiatives that save both water and energy.

GRUNDFOS also works to deliver water to communities globally, collaborating with governments, water service providers, NGOs and humanitarian organisations to provide vital water access services that support public health outcomes.

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Water restoration in high-risk areas

Pentair has established a target to restore 100% of the water volume withdrawn by its manufacturing sites in high water-stressed areas annually. The company plans to expand its water stewardship strategy to include positively impacting these areas through restoration and replenishment of water resources, which benefits community health in regions facing water scarcity.

Oriana Raabe, Vice President Sustainability at Pentair, will speak on The Water Sustainability Summit panel, in association with Ecolab about water stewardship and solutions for addressing the global water crisis and its health implications.

John Ikeda, Chief Mission Officer at the Water Environment Federation, will discuss methods for building a circular water economy. The Water Environment Federation focuses on workforce development and empowering the next generation of water sustainability leaders while convening cross-sector partnerships to drive water action.

John says on LinkedIn: "Water systems sit at the intersection of climate resilience, public health, economic development and environmental stewardship.

"My work focuses on helping the water sector navigate that complexity towards a more resilient and sustainable future.

"I'm motivated by practical systems change, bridging together practitioners, policymakers, innovators and communities to strengthen the essential services that underpin everyday life."

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