Xylem Announces Partnership With The Chris Long Foundation

Goulds Water Technology, Waterboys to tackle clean water access in rural U.S.

Xylem a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, is partnering with The Chris Long Foundation's Waterboys initiative to bring clean and sustainable water to communities in need across the United States. The partnership was announced today during the National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) 2019 Groundwater Week.

Xylem and Waterboys seek to raise awareness about domestic water issues, including that 1.5 million people in the U.S. lack access to clean, safe drinking water at home. It’s an issue that is particularly acute for lower-income communities in rural areas. Working with Xylem’s acclaimed corporate social responsibility program, Watermark, and activated by the company’s Goulds Water Technology brand, this partnership will deliver a series of water well projects to provide rural communities with reliable, safe water access, which can lead to better overall health and improved quality of life.

“Access to high-quality drinking water is something the majority of Americans take for granted,” said Susan O’Grady, Xylem director of marketing, residential and agriculture. “With so many of our neighbors living without this essential resource, the water sector has an opportunity to help. By combining the unique capabilities of our Watermark program, our industry knowledge, and leading Goulds Water Technology products with the Waterboys’ base of dedicated volunteers and partners, we can bring water to communities that need it, and awareness to this important national issue.”

The partnership with Waterboys directs Xylem Watermark’s community of stakeholders, employee volunteers and product donations toward an important cause, and sets Goulds Water Technology to work for communities in need.

Established in 2015, Waterboys is the signature initiative of The Chris Long Foundation, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to provide clean water to 1 million people. With an initial focus in East Africa, the U.S. program will expand Waterboys’ existing efforts under a program called “Hometown H₂o.”

"It's always been a passion of mine to connect our work abroad with our work domestically," said Chris Long, founder and chairman of The Chris Long Foundation. "This partnership with Xylem will allow us to take on our most important fight yet – growing our domestic presence and serving people in our own communities.”

The “Hometown H₂o” program will work with the Water System Council's Water Well Trust to fund and drill water wells for low-income households that do not have access to water at home or within a reasonable distance. By raising funds to build individual wells and small, shared wells, “Hometown H₂o” will be able to provide safe drinking water to American homes in need in one of the most cost-effective ways.

About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to developing innovative technology solutions to the world’s water challenges. The Company’s products and services move, treat, analyze, monitor and return water to the environment in public utility, industrial, residential and commercial building services settings. Xylem also provides a leading portfolio of smart metering, network technologies and advanced infrastructure analytics solutions for water, electric and gas utilities. The Company’s approximately 17,000 employees bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on identifying comprehensive, sustainable solutions. Headquartered in Rye Brook, New York, with 2018 revenue of $5.2B, Xylem does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands.

The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all – that which occurs in nature. For more information, visit www.xylem.com.

About Xylem Watermark
Xylem Watermark is Xylem’s corporate citizenship and social investment program. Xylem Watermark’s mission is to provide and protect safe water resources for communities and to educate people about water issues. By working with best-in-class non-profit partners and leveraging the expertise, time and passion of Xylem’s employees and stakeholders, Xylem Watermark is able to address the full spectrum of global water challenges. For over 10 years, Xylem Watermark has been generating social impact by delivering clean water to communities in need, responding to water-related disasters with humanitarian assistance, and empowering communities through education about water, sanitation and hygiene and the value of water.

About Waterboys
Founded in 2015 by two-time Super Bowl Champion Chris Long, Waterboys unites professional NFL and NBA athletes and fans from across the world in support of a single, shared cause: providing clean, accessible drinking water to 1 million people. By working together, players and fans can make a meaningful difference for communities in desperate need by funding sustainable clean water projects. These projects provide life-giving water and all that comes from it – including the opportunities for education, good health, and economic stability. Initially starting with projects in East Africa, Waterboys expanded its work in 2019 to also include U.S water projects. To date, Waterboys has raised over $4M with the help of over 45 professional athletes, providing clean drinking water to more than 330,000 people as a result. For more information, visit waterboys.org.

About The Chris Long Foundation
The mission of The Chris Long Foundation is to support bright futures for communities and the individuals that make up those communities. We believe borders do not limit caring about our fellow neighbors. We engage in both international and domestic programs focused around clean water, military appreciation, homelessness and youth. Our programs strive to generate impactful results by creating opportunities and providing resources, financial support and meaningful experiences to those we serve. For more information, visit www.chrislongfoundation.org.