When disaster strikes, much attention is given to the immediate priority of saving lives and stabilizing communities. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, earthquake, or flood, emergency responders first focus on rescue operations and controlling the damage. Once the dust settles and the immediate danger subsides, though, a secondary crisis often emerges: access to clean water.

NATURAL DISASTERS AFFECT WATER AVAILABILITY AND SOURCES

Wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes don’t just disrupt water availability, they also contaminate sources. When fires damage urban water infrastructure, toxic chemicals as well as ash, smoke and soot can get sucked into water piping networks and other water distribution infrastructure. During heavy rains and flooding, rising waters and overflowing rivers can overwhelm water treatment plants, causing drinking water contamination  for long after the flooding subsides. Earthquakes can damage vulnerable infrastructure, causing hazardous materials and contaminants to be released into the water supply. 

XPRIZE WATER SCARCITY IS ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR WATER SOLUTIONS

XPRIZE Water Scarcity is facing these challenges head-on. The $119 million competition is addressing the critical need for sustainable and resilient water solutions. This initiative challenges teams to develop innovative technologies that ensure access to clean and safe water, even in the face of environmental disasters like wildfires, droughts, and floods. Communities around the world need resilient water purification, desalination, and distribution infrastructure.

As we approach World Water Day on March 22, we must invest in proactive measures that safeguard our water infrastructure against future threats. The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters and water needed to address them, exacerbated by climate change, underscore the necessity for robust water management systems. By supporting initiatives like XPRIZE Water Scarcity, we can develop solutions that not only address current water challenges but also build resilience for the future. 

Learn more about XPRIZE Water Scarcity and how you can join or support a team at XPRIZE.org/Water.

Register a team for Track A - Desalination: System-Level Innovation by March 31, 2025, and Track B - Desalination: Novel Materials and Methods by May 31, 2025.

Curious how our other prizes, like XPRIZE Wildfire and XPRIZE Carbon Removal are facing the threats and causes of climate change head on? Head to XPRIZE.org to learn more.