News, Press & Perspectives

Find the latest news and press releases about our work in the water and sanitation sector below. 

Looking to interview someone from Water.org or request a speaker? Or need resources to understand our work and share information with others? Visit our Resources page.

A cyclist and a horse-cart carriage pass each other in a flooded area after heavy rain caused a river overflow, submerging scores of homes in Bandung, Indonesia on March 16, 2025. Timur Matahari—AFP/Getty Images
TIME -The Key to Solving the Global Water Crisis

March 22, 2025

The global water crisis is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing humanity today. More than 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water, and 3.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation. This crisis undermines health and safety, education, and economic opportunity.

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ABC - Power of Water: Mexico’s water warriors

April 19, 2023

ABC News’ Linsey Davis travels to Mexico to see firsthand the silent water crisis happening around the world, and speaks with Co-founder Matt Damon about his push to get access to clean water for all.

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Impakter - Turning Challenges Into Choices: How Access to Safe Water Empowers Women

March 8, 2025

Access to safe water reshapes daily life — reducing hours spent collecting water and opening doors to education, income earning opportunities, and community leadership. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women’s achievements and acknowledge the barriers many still face.

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Decreasing costs, increasing impact

Jan. 7, 2021

Several years ago, it cost $25 to reach one person with access to safe water or sanitation. Then $12.50. Now your donation of $5 will empower someone in need with lasting access to safe water or sanitation and the hope, health, and opportunity they bring. Read how and why, from Melanie Mendrys, Director of Brand & Marketing.

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Smart Water Magazine - COVID-19 is building bridges within the water sector and across other sectors

Dec. 22, 2020

Water.org's Sector Strategy Manager, Lesley Pories, shares how investing in water supply and sanitation bolsters healthy people, stable economies and resilient ecosystems.

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CNN Heroes 2020

Dec. 13, 2020

Water.org is featured on "CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute," highlighting eight organizations that are changing lives and making the world a better place.

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Global Heroes - Breaking the Poverty Cycle

Dec. 1, 2020

Water.org co-founder Matt Damon talks about the power of water to change lives.

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SIWI Water Day - Vision of a zero-carbon, resilient future through water

Nov. 12, 2020

“The scale of the climate crisis is staggering, but you can’t let that be an excuse for not acting.” Water.org co-founder, Matt Damon, and Chief Global Impact Officer, Vedika Bhandarkar, each shared a message in the opening remarks of Water Day on November 12th, presented by SIWI.

Watch here
Milken Institute - To Solve the Water Crisis, We Must Rethink the Way We Invest

Nov. 11, 2020

Co-founders Gary White and Matt Damon share how WaterEquity has continued to expand and scale during COVID-19, empowering people with access to safe water and sanitation, while also providing attractive returns to investors.

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Lending for Water and Sanitation During COVID-19

Nov. 5, 2020

"We expect the increased awareness of how a lack of access to water and sanitation can not only be inconvenient, but life-threatening, to increase client demand for [water and sanitation] improvements." - Jessica Jacobson - Water.org's Senior Manager, Financial Institutions

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Hang out with Water.org co-founder, Matt Damon

Oct. 29, 2020

Want to have lunch with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck? Omaze is offering this opportunity to help support Water.org. You and a guest will be flown out to LA when it's safe to travel for an unforgettable meal with these two actors and friends. Enter to win by January 28, 2021.

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Hilton Effect Foundation Reveals 2020 Grants

Oct. 22, 2020

Water.org was named one of The Hilton Effect Foundation's 2020 Hilton Effect grantees, which included organizations playing a direct role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts.

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Pacific Institute - Financing Water Supply and Sanitation in a Changing Climate

Oct. 22, 2020

Smart investments in water supply and sanitation can benefit both the climate and those living in poverty, finds a new report from the Pacific Institute and Water.org. Read the announcement here.

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Ecolab Partners With Water.org to Improve Access to Clean, Safe, Sustainable Water

Oct. 21, 2020

On the sixth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, Ecolab announced a partnership with Water.org to help enable access to sustainable water and improved sanitation for 100,000 people in at-risk watersheds in India.

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Brave Blue World Documentary Film Available on Netflix on October 21

Oct. 21, 2020

Featuring Matt Damon, Gary White, Jaden Smith and other pioneers in the water sector, the Brave Blue World documentary paints an optimistic picture of how humanity is adopting new technologies and innovations to re-think how we manage water.

Watch the trailer