Water.org, Amazon & Ecolab: Driving Safe Water Sanitation

Today, nearly a quarter of the global population – approximately 2.1 billion people – currently lack access to safe water, while 3.4 billion people are without access to safe sanitation.

Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of many diseases, including cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea.

To help tackle this crisis, Water.org has announced 'Get Blue' in Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum's 2026 Annual Meeting.

The initiative aligns with Davos' "blue thread" theme, which emphasises the vital role water ecosystems play in global trade and livelihoods.

Water.org's mission and impact

Engineer Gary White, and Actor Matt Damon founded Water.org in 2009, with the objective of developing solutions that remove barriers preventing people from accessing safe water.

This is vital for developing countries which lack access to proper healthcare, as they are more at risk from waterborne diseases.

The non-profit organisation has provided lasting access to safe water or sanitation to 85 million people to date.

Get Blue's launch represents a significant step towards Water.org's ambitious target of reaching 200 million people by 2030.

Gary White, CEO and Co-Founder of Water.org, says: "Solving the global water crisis is possible if the business community comes together and focuses on measurable change.

“Water sits at the centre of opportunity in the global economy.

"Get Blue gives companies a way to lead on an issue their industries depend on and to help scale solutions that are already reaching millions of people who need them.

“This is the kind of leadership required to end the water crisis within our lifetimes.”

How Get Blue works

Get Blue is a global movement designed to mobilise brands, creators, consumers and capital towards solving the global water crisis.

The initiative could accelerate access to safe water and sanitation by aligning business leadership and funding behind Water.org's solutions.

Water.org has partnered with Gap, Amazon, Starbucks and Ecolab to launch Get Blue, with these companies providing products, content and experiences to help fund water access.

The consumer-facing launch is planned for later in 2026.

The initiative brings together diverse sectors to create meaningful change at scale and potentially improve the health of millions of people through clean water.

By leveraging the reach and resources of major corporations, Get Blue aims to transform how businesses engage with water access challenges.

Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, says: "The water crisis requires sustained, meaningful action and Get Blue is an example of what the private sector can do to help raise awareness and work together to drive solutions and impact.

"This approach builds on Amazon's aim to be a responsible water steward in communities where it operates."

Cross-sector collaboration for global impact

Each founding company brings distinct expertise to the initiative.

Richard Dickson, President and CEO of Gap, says: "At Gap, we bridge gaps to create a better world – and the gap between people who lack access to water is far too big.

"Through the launch of Get Blue, we are uniting some of the world's most influential brands behind a shared mission."

The initiative aligns with Starbucks's business values, particularly in addressing water scarcity in agricultural regions.

Marika McCauley Sine, Chief Sustainability Officer at Starbucks, adds: "In some coffee, tea and cocoa farming regions, people lack access to clean water and sanitation.

"For Starbucks, helping these communities thrive is both the right thing to do and strengthens our business and supply chain."

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

Emilio Tenuta, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Ecolab, says 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.”

Kara adds on LinkedIn: "Nearly one in four people around the world do not have access to safe water.

"The global water crisis is real, but we believe it is not insurmountable – and together, we can make a difference."