20/08/2024
Agua Segura

Making the Invisible Visible-Agua Segura

By Manuel Sauri – CEO of Agua Segura

When we think about the importance of water for our lives and development, we surely imagine the rivers, seas, and lakes that feed us, provide energy, and recreation. If we go a bit further, perhaps we reflect on the importance of wetlands and ecosystems that work to mitigate the effects of climate change. But there is a place where practically all the planet’s liquid fresh water is concentrated: beneath the earth.

Groundwater has enormous significance for human society. Its sustainable management and protection are essential to guarantee water security, food production, drinking water supply, and the health of ecosystems.

Groundwater: the invisible resource that sustains life

Access to safe water is a fundamental human right. We only need to remember the “water cycle” we learned in school to understand that what we do on the surface directly affects what happens beneath it. If the water circulation process is interrupted, terrestrial ecosystems lose their balance, and with them, aquifers deteriorate.

According to UNESCO data, over 95% of the world’s available liquid freshwater is groundwater, and it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population depends on it for domestic consumption.

These natural reservoirs supply not only our homes but also sanitation systems, industries, and, above all, the agricultural sector.

Agriculture and Aquifers: A Critical Relationship

Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater on the planet. According to the FAO, about 40% of the water used for irrigation globally comes from aquifers. And it is estimated that to feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 60%.

However, the excessive use of groundwater for irrigation can lead to its depletion, reduced river flow, and loss of wetlands. Furthermore, if they become contaminated with agrochemicals, fertilizers, or other substances, their quality is jeopardized, and negative impacts on public health are generated.

Sustainable water management in agriculture is crucial. Adopting efficient irrigation technologies, improving soil infiltration, and reducing chemical use are key steps to protect this invisible resource.

Groundwater Conservation and Recharge of Aquifers

Aquifer recharge is the natural process by which rainwater or river water slowly penetrates the soil and reaches underground layers. But when areas are deforested, soils are compacted, or urbanization occurs without planning, this process is interrupted.

At Agua Segura, we promote nature-based solutions that allow us to recover this natural absorption capacity: soil restoration, reforestation of watersheds, wetland conservation, and rainwater harvesting systems.

These actions are part of integrated watershed management strategies aimed at strengthening the water resilience of territories.

Groundwater and Climate Change

Groundwater plays an important role in mitigating climate change. By maintaining stable river levels, they sustain ecosystems during droughts. They also prevent saltwater intrusion in coastal areas, protecting freshwater reserves against rising sea levels.

However, the water crisis has exacerbated aridity in regions where the only source of supply is groundwater. There, sustainable management is not an option; it is a vital necessity.

Water Quality: A Silent Challenge

In addition to depletion, groundwater contamination is a serious challenge. Chemical substances such as nitrates, pesticides, heavy metals, or hydrocarbons can slowly infiltrate and remain for years, affecting water quality without being detected.

Implementing monitoring systems, improving land use planning, and promoting corporate water responsibility are necessary measures to prevent this deterioration.

Making the Invisible Visible

Groundwater knows no borders. Therefore, its preservation requires a global, collaborative, and long-term perspective. According to UN Water, we need public policies, investments, and citizen participation to face emerging challenges.

We also need education and communication. Because making the invisible visible means teaching that what happens beneath our feet sustains everything that happens on the surface. And that without groundwater, there is no agriculture, no industry, no health.

The Basis of All Sustainable Development

Groundwater is a hidden treasure that we must care for, monitor, and manage responsibly. They not only guarantee access to water and sanitation (WASH), but they are also the basis of any sustainable development strategy that aspires to be just, resilient, and lasting.

Conclusion

We are facing a key resource for life. Invisible for decades, it now demands to be at the center of policies, investments, and collective consciousness.

Making the invisible visible is recognizing the infinite value of our groundwater. And acting accordingly.

08/07/2025

The Water Crisis: The Economic Challenge Facing the Private Sector

By Fernanda Marmorek, CFO of Agua Segura

The water crisis is a silent but devastating threat to the private sector globally. The growing scarcity of this resource affects production, operating costs, and the viability of numerous industries. In particular, sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, mining, energy, and technology face significant challenges due to decreasing access to reliable water sources.

According to a WWF report, in 2021, freshwater had an estimated economic value of 58 trillion dollars, representing 60% of the global economy. However, this resource has historically been undervalued, leading to its excessive use and the degradation of water ecosystems. Overexploitation and pollution of water sources are generating adverse economic impacts for the private sector, increasing pressure on production costs and creating uncertainty in long-term investments.

Globally, the water crisis represents a significant threat to the economy. It is estimated that by 2050, around 46% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could originate in areas with high water risk, a significant increase compared to the current 10%. Furthermore, in 2018, economic losses related to water problems amounted to 38.5 billion dollars, although the actual impact could be higher due to a lack of data from many companies. In 2024, water-related disasters, such as floods and droughts, caused economic losses exceeding 550 billion dollars, in addition to the tragic loss of over 8,700 lives and the displacement of 40 million people.

Regions with the highest water stress include North Africa, where water extraction levels exceed 100% of available renewable resources. In Europe, approximately 20% of the territory and 30% of its population experience water stress each year, with Spain and the Mediterranean basin being the most affected areas. In Latin America, countries such as Mexico, Chile, and Peru face serious water challenges due to aquifer overexploitation and the impact of climate change on water availability.

How the Water Crisis Pressures Costs and Employment

The water crisis generates pressure on costs and employment mainly for three key reasons:

1. Increase in Operating Costs

Water is an essential input for many industries. When there is scarcity or restrictions on access to water sources, companies must seek more expensive alternatives, such as:

Purchase of water from private sources
Infrastructure for collection and treatment
Fines and environmental regulations

Example: In the food and beverage industry, reduced access to water forces companies to pay more for the resource, which increases production costs and, consequently, final consumer prices.

2. Disruption in Production and the Supply Chain

When a company cannot access enough water, production is reduced or even temporarily halted. This can occur due to:

Raw material scarcity
Interruption in manufacturing
Dependence on affected suppliers

Example: In Argentina, drought has reduced the yield of key crops such as soy and wheat, impacting not only farmers but also exports and companies dependent on these products.

3. Job Reduction and Effects on the Economy

When production decreases, companies face economic losses, which can lead to layoffs or reduced working hours. The most affected sectors include:

Agriculture
Industry and manufacturing
Services and commerce

Example: In Lima, a study estimated that a 30% reduction in water availability could lead to the loss of over 35,000 jobs due to production contraction.

Technological Innovations and Soil and Ecosystem Restoration to Face the Water Crisis

Given the growing water scarcity, the private sector is adopting various technological innovations to mitigate the impact and improve efficiency in resource use. These solutions seek not only to guarantee the sustainability of water supply but also to reduce operating costs and optimize production processes in key industries.

In the agricultural sector, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensors in irrigation systems has proven highly efficient. These systems analyze soil moisture and climatic conditions in real-time, allowing for precise adjustment of water use and reduction of waste.

Another key innovation is the use of atmospheric water generators, which extract moisture from the air and convert it into potable water. Startups in Latin America and Africa are developing these technologies to supply communities and companies in high water stress areas.

Furthermore, wastewater recovery and recycling have become a fundamental practice for industries such as textiles, manufacturing, and mining. Leading companies in these sectors are investing in treatment plants that allow water to be reused in their production processes.

In addition to implementing advanced technologies, the private sector is also promoting soil and ecosystem restoration strategies as a complementary solution to face the water crisis. Agricultural and forestry companies are adopting soil regeneration practices, such as reforestation and the use of cover crops, to improve water retention capacity and reduce erosion.

The restoration of wetlands and watersheds is also gaining relevance. Various industries have begun to invest in the protection and rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems, recognizing their fundamental role in regulating the water cycle.

Companies that incorporate these strategies not only improve their environmental sustainability but also reduce operating costs by ensuring more stable access to the water resource.

Therefore, to mitigate the effects of the water crisis, it is essential for companies to adopt sustainable strategies, such as optimizing water use, diversifying water sources, and collaborating with the public sector. Investment in water infrastructure and the development of innovative technologies will be key to ensuring economic stability and operational continuity in a context of increasing resource scarcity.

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05/09/2024

Dvigi: Ultrafiltration Technology for a Healthier and More Sustainable Future

Gisella Djenderedjian – General Manager of Dvigi.

Access to safe drinking water remains one of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century. Although it may seem like a guaranteed right, over 2.2 billion people worldwide lack secure access to water, and this has devastating consequences, especially in rural communities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 485,000 people die each year from diarrheal diseases linked to the consumption of contaminated water. This reality hits women and children hardest, as they are often primarily responsible for collecting water in rural areas. This task not only exposes them to physical risks but also keeps them away from educational and work opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Accessible Technology to Improve Water Security

In this scenario, technology presents itself as a fundamental ally in the fight to guarantee water security. In particular, ultrafiltration systems have consolidated as an effective, sustainable, and low-cost solution to improve access to water and sanitation in contexts where water infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.

This technology allows the removal of bacteria, viruses, and sediments without the need for electricity or chemicals, making it a viable tool for vulnerable communities. Furthermore, it contributes to improving water quality, which is vital for preventing waterborne diseases and improving overall well-being.

How Ultrafiltration Works

Ultrafiltration is a purification process that uses membranes with extremely small pores to remove contaminants from water. In the case of purifiers developed by Dvigi, this system is combined with activated carbon and sediment filters, achieving complete purification without removing essential minerals from the water.

“Our purifiers combine ultrafiltration technology with activated carbon and sediment filters, eliminating impurities and improving water taste. We want to be part of the solution to the global water problem,” explains Gisella Djenderedjian, General Manager of Dvigi.

These systems are designed to be simple to install, easy to maintain, and durable, making them especially suitable for communities that do not have constant access to technical services or infrastructure.

A Sustainable Approach with Community Impact

Beyond its efficiency, Dvigi’s technology has a clear focus on sustainability. By not requiring electrical energy or generating polluting waste, it aligns with principles of water conservation and sustainable water management.

In collaboration with Agua Segura, Dvigi works on filter implementation projects in rural communities across Latin America. These initiatives not only improve access to safe drinking water but also strengthen the social fabric through:

Awareness workshops on responsible water use.
Training in hygiene and healthy habits (WASH).
Training for the use and maintenance of the systems.
Promotion of corporate water responsibility by technology provider companies.

Each project is conceived as part of a comprehensive approach that prioritizes community education and long-term sustainability.

Community Projects with Real Impact

The community water projects in which Dvigi participates are designed to generate a transformative effect. Daily access to safe water implies a radical change in health, development, and life opportunities in rural communities.

Furthermore, by freeing women and girls from the responsibility of fetching water, greater access to education and economic participation is enabled, contributing to gender equality.

These projects also reinforce the communities’ resilience to the water crisis, which intensifies with phenomena such as droughts, extreme rainfall, or contamination of surface sources.

Complement to Ecosystemic Strategies

Although ultrafiltration technology operates at the household level, it is also part of a broader approach that recognizes the importance of protecting water sources. That is, it is not enough to purify water at the end of the process: it is also essential to take care of what happens in the natural environment.

Therefore, Agua Segura articulates this technological solution with other nature-based solutions for water strategies, such as:

The restoration of aquatic ecosystems.
The recharge of aquifers through soil conservation.
The protection of watersheds.
The improvement of agricultural practices to prevent contamination.

These approaches mutually reinforce each other: while the environment is preserved, immediate tools are provided to ensure safe consumption in homes.

Technology with Purpose

“Our commitment is to improve the quality of life in the regions that need it most, using sustainable technology that transforms access to water,” says Djenderedjian.

Dvigi’s mission is clear: to make access to safe water not a privilege, but a right accessible to everyone. Each installed filter represents an opportunity to break the cycle of disease and exclusion.

In contexts where investment in traditional infrastructure takes years or is unfeasible, these technologies represent immediate, effective, and low-environmental-impact solutions for household water replenishment.

Conclusion: Innovation for the Right to Water

The water crisis demands multiple responses, from ecosystem restoration to the development of appropriate technologies for each reality. Dvigi’s experience demonstrates that social and technological innovation can be part of a comprehensive, people-centered solution.

Ultrafiltration systems not only purify water: they open doors to health, education, and community development. In partnership with organizations like Agua Segura, this technology transforms into a tool to build a fairer, more resilient, and healthier future for all.

20/08/2024

Green Solutions for a Better World-Agua Segura

Manuel Sauri – CEO of Agua Segura

When we look at a world map, it might seem like there’s an abundance of water. The vast expanse of blue gives the illusion that water is plentiful and that we’ll never need to worry about its scarcity. However, of the 1,400 million cubic kilometers of water on Earth, only 2.5% is freshwater, and a mere 0.3% of that is readily accessible for human consumption—the rest is either frozen or trapped underground. These figures highlight a stark reality: access to water is uneven, often turning what should be a guaranteed public right into a privilege for some.

The water crisis disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, particularly their children, who suffer from diseases related to the lack of safe water, leading to nearly 1,000 child deaths per day. With climate change increasing water variability and stressing ecosystems, we urgently need new approaches to development and planning that will help us build more resilient and aware societies.

This is where circular economy and nature-based solutions come into play as strategic, timely approaches that should inform our daily actions across all sectors. In the context of the water crisis, the interconnectedness of all system actors is clear, making us all co-responsible for managing this scarce and vital resource. Although this is a global challenge—affecting 400 million people worldwide who face water scarcity—Argentina, for instance, has its own challenges. In our country, we consume nearly 500 liters of water per person per day, while in other countries, the figure doesn’t even reach 150 or 200 liters.

What are green solutions?

But in the urgent task of caring for the planet, it’s no longer enough to simply preserve, mitigate, or regulate; we also need transformative solutions. This is where nature-based solutions, or “green solutions,” come into play. These involve investing in projects that support the transition to a global well-being economy, promoting partnerships that leave positive, lasting impacts on communities. It’s about reshaping our growth perspective so that the value of positive impact on the world and its people becomes the core of any initiative.

In addressing the water crisis, for example, we can reduce runoff losses by improving the conditions and functionality of watersheds, and foster public-private partnerships to implement water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, along with environmental initiatives such as soil restoration, spring protection, and the construction of rainwater harvesting systems. These “green” solutions profoundly transform business logic, generating a positive impact both on communities and within their value chains.

A global responsibility, with local challenges

While we face a global phenomenon where over 400 million people are in a situation of scarcity, each country faces its own challenges. In Argentina, for example, nearly 500 liters of water are consumed per person per day, while in many countries, this consumption does not reach 200 liters. This inequality reflects an urgent need to promote a culture of water conservation and corporate water responsibility. At Agua Segura, we believe that projects for watershed management, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and universal access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services must be part of public policy, private social impact programs, and environmental education for citizens.

From Preserving to Transforming

However, in the urgent task of caring for the planet, it is no longer just about preserving, mitigating, or regulating. Transformative responses are also required. Green solutions are heading in this direction: strategies that support the transition towards a global well-being economy, promoting alliances that always leave positive footprints in communities.

Transforming the logic of growth implies rethinking how we produce and how we manage water, integrating ecological variables into decision-making. Investing in green solutions means betting on regenerative development models that integrate nature, technology, and equity.

Concrete examples of nature-based solutions In relation to the water crisis, green solutions can include:

Reduction of runoff losses by improving watershed functionality.
Implementation of soil restoration and spring protection projects.
Water storage works such as rainwater harvesting systems.
Installation of decentralized sustainable sanitation systems.
Strengthening community water projects with a participatory approach.

All these actions integrate social, environmental, and economic components, generating a positive impact on communities and their value chains.

A new model of water development

Committing to green solutions also means driving a cultural change: assuming that water is not an unlimited resource, but a common good that must be managed with a long-term vision. This implies moving towards a model where universal access to drinking water and sanitation does not depend on one’s place of birth, but on a collective commitment to water security.

The future requires a new perspective that not only protects ecosystems but also restores and regenerates them. Because only through a healthy and functional environment can we guarantee health, development, and resilience.

A task for everyone

We have the generational challenge of transitioning towards a world where water, like other resources, is not a privilege but a right. To achieve this, it is essential to inform ourselves and get involved to launch new projects that protect the planet and build a better world every day.

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23/04/2026

Earth Day: why water security depends on climate, ecosystems and territory

Every April 22nd, Earth Day is celebrated, a date that invites us to reflect on the relationship between the natural systems that sustain life and the decisions we make as a society to protect them. In this context, talking about the planet also implies talking about water. Not only because it is an essential resource for health, production, and development, but because today scientific evidence shows that water is at the center of many of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time.

At Agua Segura, we understand that water security cannot be addressed as an isolated issue. Water is not a resource independent of the rest of the system. Its availability, quality, and resilience depend directly on the state of ecosystems, the health of watersheds, land use, and how climate change is altering natural cycles.

Therefore, Earth Day is a key opportunity to broaden the conversation: protecting the planet also means protecting the systems that make water possible.

Water at the center of the climate crisis

For a long time, water management was treated as a technical or sectoral issue. However, today that perspective is no longer enough. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the main international body of the United Nations for assessing climate science, warns that more than 50% of the impacts of climate change manifest through water.

This means that many of the most visible and serious consequences of the climate crisis appear in the form of:

prolonged droughts,
extreme rain events and floods,
alterations in hydrological cycles,
increasing variability in water availability,
pressure on agricultural, urban, and ecosystem systems.

In other words, water is one of the main vehicles through which climate change impacts communities, territories, and economies.

This reality redefines the concept of water risk. It is no longer just about scarcity or access. It also involves understanding how the climate modifies the functioning of the water system as a whole and how that affects the stability of watersheds, food production, infrastructure, and the resilience of communities.

The deterioration of the planet is also a water crisis

To this scenario is added another equally critical dimension: the degradation of ecosystems. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that more than 75% of the planet’s land surface presents some degree of degradation.

This data does not only talk about loss of biodiversity or environmental deterioration. It also talks about water.

When soils degrade, when forests disappear, when wetlands are altered, or when recharge areas lose functionality, territories lose their natural capacity to:

infiltrate water,
retain moisture,
regulate flows,
recharge aquifers,
buffer extreme events,
filter and improve water quality.

This means that the problem is not only how much water is available, but whether the natural system that produces, regulates, and distributes it is still functioning.

And that is one of the most important keys to understanding the current water crisis.

Water security cannot be thought of in isolation

Frente a este contexto, se vuelve evidente que la seguridad hídrica no puede construirse con una mirada fragmentada. No alcanza con medir consumo, optimizar una operación o instalar infraestructura si no se comprende el estado del territorio y la capacidad real de la cuenca para sostener el recurso.

Water security requires an integral vision that articulates at least four fundamental dimensions:

Water management This implies improving efficiency, reducing losses, protecting sources, optimizing productive uses, and ensuring access to safe and continuous water.
Ecosystem restoration Healthy ecosystems are part of the natural water infrastructure. Restoring forests, wetlands, soils, peatlands, or degraded areas strengthens the territory’s capacity to regulate water.
Climate adaptation In a scenario of greater water uncertainty, it is necessary to design solutions that increase resilience against droughts, floods, and climate variability.
Land use and territorial management Decisions on agriculture, urbanization, conservation, and productive development directly impact the functioning of watersheds.

Therefore, talking about sustainable water security necessarily implies integrating water, climate, biodiversity, and territory into the same strategy.

Water is not an isolated resource: it is the result of a complex system

One of the most important ideas that should guide the conversation on sustainability today is that water does not exist in isolation. It is not simply a available resource that is extracted, used, and replaced.

Water is the result of a complex system where the following intervene:

climate,
vegetation cover,
soil health,
biodiversity,
the infiltration capacity of the territory,
watershed governance,
productive and urban decisions.

When one of those components fails, the water system weakens.

This explains why in many territories the water crisis is not just a matter of scarcity. It is a matter of systemic degradation.

And it also explains why isolated solutions—focused solely on infrastructure or efficiency—often fall short of solving the underlying problems.

Protecting the Earth is also protecting water

Earth Day reminds us that environmental challenges are deeply connected. You cannot talk about climate change without talking about water. You cannot talk about biodiversity without talking about watersheds. You cannot talk about resilience without considering how natural systems that sustain the water cycle are protected and restored.

Caring for the planet also means:

protecting and restoring ecosystems,
reducing soil degradation,
strengthening watershed management,
implementing nature-based solutions,
innovating with measurable impact,
promoting sustainable territorial decisions.

At Agua Segura, we believe that acting against the water crisis requires a systemic, collaborative, and evidence-based approach. It means working not only on the resource, but on the system that makes it possible.

Innovate and act to build water resilience

In a context of water stress, climate change, and environmental degradation, action can no longer wait. The conversation on sustainability must move from diagnosis towards the implementation of concrete solutions.

That implies:

innovating with purpose,
measuring impact in the territory,
designing watershed-based strategies,
integrating ecological restoration and water management,
building alliances between communities, companies, and organizations.

The water resilience of the future will depend on our ability to understand that water does not protect itself. It is protected when we care for the territory, ecosystems, and the relationships that sustain its cycle.

Earth Day: an opportunity to rethink water

Every April 22nd, Earth Day reminds us that the planet functions as an interdependent system. And in that system, water occupies a central place.

Talking about water today is no longer just talking about availability. It is talking about water security, climate change, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, territorial management, and resilience.

Because water is not an isolated resource.

It is the result of a complex system.

And protecting the Earth also means protecting the water.

This Earth Day, we renew a conviction that guides our work: water security is only possible when we act on the entire system, with integral solutions, collaboration, and a long-term vision.

by aguasegura.com

20/03/2026

💧World Water Day: Why Access to Water Strengthens Food Security and the Role of Rural Women

Every March 22nd, World Water Day invites us to reflect on a resource essential for life, health, ecosystems, and development. However, when we talk about water, the debate often centers solely on domestic access or infrastructure. While these issues are fundamental, water also sustains something equally vital: the ability to produce food and support entire communities.

In many regions of the world, access to water defines more than just daily life. It also determines who can plant, produce, sustain a family economy, and remain resilient in the face of the climate crisis. In this context, the link between water, agriculture, gender, and food security becomes increasingly evident.

At Agua Segura, we believe that speaking about water security implies looking at the entire system: access to water, watershed management, territorial resilience, and the impact water has on production, local development, and individual opportunities.

🌍 Water as the Foundation of Food Production

Water is one of the most decisive resources for agriculture. Without reliable and sustainable access to water, there is no stable production, no capacity to adapt to droughts, and no resilient food systems.

Globally, the agricultural sector is responsible for approximately 70% of freshwater use, demonstrating just how interconnected water and food production truly are. But this relationship isn’t just about volume; it’s about how water is managed, who can access it, what technologies are available, and how prepared communities are to face water scarcity scenarios.

In a context of increasing water stress, watershed degradation, and climate change, access to water for agriculture becomes a key condition to:

Strengthen food security.
Improve the climate resilience of production systems.
Reduce the vulnerability of rural communities.
Expand economic opportunities in agricultural territories.
Promote more efficient and sustainable production.

That is why, when we speak of safe water, we are not just talking about human consumption. We are also talking about the possibility of sustaining livelihoods, local production, and territorial development.

👩‍🌾 Women and Water: A Key Relationship for Food Security

The gender dimension is central to this conversation. According to the FAO, women represent approximately 43% of the global agricultural labor force. Furthermore, in many countries, they produce between 60% and 80% of all food.

Despite this fundamental role, rural women continue to face significant barriers in accessing:

Land and productive resources.
Financing and technical assistance.
Agricultural technology.
Irrigation systems.
Water storage and distribution infrastructure.

When water is scarce, these inequalities deepen. In contexts of water crisis, many women must dedicate more time to securing water for their homes, reducing their production possibilities or facing greater difficulties in sustaining crops, livestock, and family economies. This impacts not only their economic autonomy but also the food security of their communities.

Therefore, improving access to water is also a way to reduce structural gaps and strengthen the role of women in rural production systems.

🌱 Access to Water: Much More Than Resource Availability

Access to water is not limited to the physical existence of the resource. It also implies having the actual conditions to use it safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

This includes:

Adequate infrastructure.
Efficient irrigation systems.
Safe storage.
Protection and restoration of watersheds.
Local water governance.
Training and technical support.

In other words, improving access to water is not just about increasing supply, but about building more resilient, equitable, and sustainable systems.

A key figure highlights this: according to the FAO, if female farmers had the same access to productive resources as men, agricultural production could increase significantly—with estimates in some contexts reaching up to a 30% improvement in productive outcomes.

This data proves something fundamental: investing in water, infrastructure, technology, and equitable access does not just improve resource management. It can also transform production systems, strengthen rural economies, and contribute to greater global food security.

🌎 Water, Climate Resilience, and Rural Development

Climate change is intensifying water-related challenges. Prolonged droughts, extreme rainfall, precipitation variability, and ecosystem degradation are altering how rural communities produce food and manage their territories.

In this scenario, water becomes a decisive factor for climate resilience. When a community has access to safe water, adequate irrigation, efficient practices, and strengthened local governance, it improves its capacity to:

Adapt to periods of scarcity.
Sustain agricultural production.
Reduce losses.
Protect their livelihoods.
Make decisions based on information and planning.

For this reason, water is also an opportunity: an opportunity to build more resilient territories, more stable rural economies, and communities better prepared for climate uncertainty.

💧 Water Security with a Territorial and Social Focus

At Agua Segura, we work with the conviction that water security is not built through infrastructure alone. It requires an integrated approach that coordinates: Water, Production, Territory, Community, Education, Sustainability, and Equity.

Every watershed has its own dynamics, challenges, and opportunities. Therefore, solutions must be designed from the territory up, with local participation and a focus on measurable impact. When access to water improves, we are protecting more than just a resource; we are strengthening the possibilities to produce, sustain local economies, reduce inequalities, and build a more resilient future.

🌍 World Water Day: A Date to Expand the Conversation

World Water Day, commemorated every March 22nd, is an opportunity to remember that water is not just a natural resource: it is the foundation of life, health, production, and development.

It is also an opportunity to expand the conversation. To talk about water is to talk about food security, rural women, climate resilience, sustainable watershed management, and opportunities for communities.

Because when water is missing, it doesn’t just affect daily consumption. It weakens production systems, deepens inequalities, and limits people’s ability to build a better future. Conversely, when access to water improves, communities are strengthened, production is protected, and real conditions for a fairer and more sustainable development are created.

This March 22nd, we reaffirm one conviction: water also sustains communities, and guaranteeing its access is a key condition for food security and the resilience of our future.

15/01/2026

Less than 1% of the planet’s water is fit for human consumption: why water security is one of the greatest global challenges

We live on a planet covered in water. However, that image is deeply misleading.

Of the total water on Earth, about 97% is salt water, and nearly another 2% is trapped in glaciers and polar ice caps. This leaves less than 1% of freshwater available to supply more than eight billion people, sustain food production, cities, industry, and ecosystems.

That margin was already extremely limited. Today, it is under increasing pressure due to rising demand, watershed degradation, and the increasingly visible effects of climate change. In many territories, the problem is no longer just about how much water exists, but whether it is possible to access that essential resource in a safe, continuous, and sustainable way.

This context makes water security one of the primary global challenges of the 21st century.

🌍 The water crisis: a global problem with local impacts

The water crisis does not manifest the same way in every territory. In some places, it appears as extreme scarcity; in others, as contamination, supply interruptions, or inequality in access. But in all cases, it has a common denominator: increasing pressure on already fragile water systems.

Population growth, accelerated urbanization, and the intensification of productive uses have steadily increased the demand for water. Added to this is the degradation of watersheds—deforestation, soil loss, overexploitation of aquifers—and the impacts of climate change, which alter precipitation patterns and increase the frequency of droughts and floods.

In this scenario, guaranteeing safe water cannot be limited to simply increasing supply. It requires better management of that scarce 1% available by protecting sources, reducing losses, improving water quality, and strengthening local capacities for long-term sustainable management.

💧 From global diagnosis to territorial action

While the problem is global, solutions are always built at the local level, within the watershed. This is where it is decided how water is captured, distributed, used, and protected. That is why at Agua Segura, we work with a territorial approach, developing projects that combine infrastructure, technology, education, and community work.

🇧🇷 Brazil: access to safe water in contexts of urban vulnerability

In Rio de Janeiro, alongside Microsoft, we developed a project in the Vila Beira Mar community, where access to water was not stably guaranteed. In this context, water insecurity directly impacted the health, education, and quality of life of families.

The project included:

The installation of 15 community reservoirs.
The expansion of the distribution network with home connections for 70 families.
The delivery of 200 family water filters, as well as filters for schools and community centers.

These actions, carried out together with TETO Brasil, improved water availability and quality for more than 3,250 people while strengthening community management of the resource. In territories where every supply interruption has immediate consequences, guaranteeing safe water means reducing health risks and opening opportunities for development.

🇨🇱 Chile: safe water in a context of structural drought

In Chile, the central zone faces structural water scarcity, worsened by more than a decade of prolonged drought. In this context, access to drinking water and the reliability of existing systems become critical challenges, especially in rural communities.

Through Microsoft’s Water Positive program, we developed projects in Colina and Curacaví in collaboration with Rural Drinking Water (APR) cooperatives. The goal was to generate new water sources and improve their quality while strengthening local resource management.

The results include:

An estimated volumetric benefit of 4,500 m³ of water per year.
Direct impact on nearly 5,000 people.
Improvements in 14 schools.
WASH workshops to promote the safe and responsible use of water in drought contexts.

These projects demonstrate that water security depends not only on infrastructure but also on education, governance, and community participation.

🌎 Latin America: scalable solutions together with GRUNDFOS

A similar approach is applied to the projects we develop with GRUNDFOS in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. Since 2020, these water access initiatives have reached more than 50,000 people through the implementation of 830 solutions, including:

Family filters.
Community dispensers.
Rainwater harvesting systems.
Improvements in storage and distribution.

In these contexts, every liter of safe water available has a direct impact on the health, education, and economic opportunities of communities. The scale of the challenge demands adaptable solutions that are always designed based on local reality.

🔄 Beyond volume: how water security is built

These projects show that the water crisis is not just a matter of global volume. Reducing losses, improving quality, bringing water closer to those who cannot access it, and strengthening local capacities are actions that make a difference when the resource is so limited.

Talking about water security implies:

Protecting and restoring watersheds.
Improving efficiency in productive uses.
Implementing nature-based solutions.
Committing to long-term investments with measurable impact.

When the available margin is less than 1%, every decision counts. The way we manage water today defines not only current access but the resilience of the water systems that future generations will depend on.

🌱 A shared challenge

Water does not belong to a single organization, sector, or territory. It is a shared, interconnected, and vulnerable resource. Therefore, building sustainable water security requires collaboration between communities, companies, governments, and civil society organizations.

At Agua Segura, we work to ensure that every project contributes to strengthening the entire system, from the watershed to the global stage. Because when it comes to water, sustainability is not an option: it is a condition for the future.