Water is essential for nearly everything in our lives. But we often take clean and seemingly abundant water for granted. And, why not? It’s all around us…or so it seems.

I find it ironic that water covers 70% of our planet, yet the stuff we drink, bathe in, irrigate our farm fields, use in industrial processes with is incredibly rare. Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is tucked away in frozen glaciers or otherwise unavailable for our use.

I have been blessed with working in a great industry that supports me beyond my dreams. And for that reason: I have been actively looking for ways to return my gratitude. In a recent Facebook post, I asked you about charities you support. I was amazed at the number and diversity of groups the pump industry supports. I honestly felt honored to work within an industry that places a priority on helping others.

After thoroughly considering many options, Empowering Pumps will be working with Charity: Water in 2015. Another entrepreneur who has a passion and excitement to lift people up by providing clean water started the group. This group complements our products and companies that empower others.

Clean water means health, income and education, especially for women and kids. Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.

In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which is unprotected and likely contaminated.

Time spent walking and resulting diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families. With safe water nearby, women are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. Clean water transforms lives, communities and generations — and at a surprisingly low cost.

If you have a few minutes over the holidays, please learn more about Charity: Water and watch a video on the program and its founder, Scott Harrison. You will see what I mean.

You have probably heard me say, pumps are everywhere. This is not the case, especially in these areas without clean water.  So, I was also really excited to learn about Design Outreach and the “Hundred Pump Project”. This project really shows the Power of Pumps!

As you know, Empowering Pumps has a mission to Connect. Inform. And Educate the pump industry. Interestingly, a Design Outreach educational video ends with the words “Connect. Inspire. Empower.” It just seemed like destiny that we work together when I read that line at the end of the video.

The United Nations predicts that by 2025, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population will suffer water shortages. This is a very real problem that is only going to get worse. The funny thing is…just a little bit can make a huge difference.

Clean water transforms lives in so many ways. So, please join me in 2015, and let’s continue to transform the world…. one gallon of water at a time.