Clean water, closer to home: when water utilities listen, communities gain access. * Posted October 29, 2026 * Impact Area One Health, WASH Before sunrise in Nduta community, Homa Bay County, Kenya, women and children would set out carrying jerrycans, walking to nearby boreholes or down to the Arujo River to collect water for drinking and other household needs. The river was a vital source of water, but its murky, untreated water exposed families to waterborne pathogens and the risk of cholera outbreaks. The consequences extended far beyond health. Each outbreak brought hospital bills that strained already limited household budgets, while time spent caring for sick family members meant lost opportunities to earn an income. Unsafe water was not just a health challenge, it was also a barrier to families' financial stability and well-being. Change began when a team from Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company visited Nduta during a sales campaign under a PSI- and Xylem-funded project. Rather than arriving with a predetermined solution, the team listened to residents and learned what stood in their way: the cost of an individual water connection put it out of reach for many households. The team also identified an opportunity in existing infrastructure. A community water kiosk had fallen out of service. Restoring the kiosk offered a practical way to bring water closer to households without requiring every family to invest in an individual connection. Once the kiosk was restored and the water was treated, the community selected one of its own, Zura Akinyi, to manage the facility. Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company trained Zura in record-keeping and site maintenance, equipping her with the skills to support reliable operations, maintain a positive customer experience, and encourage timely bill payments. The goal was not simply to get the water flowing again, but to help ensure the service could continue. Today, the kiosk serves more than 40 households daily, bringing water closer to families and reducing the need to make long trips to the river. For residents, the restored kiosk represents more than convenient access: it offers a practical alternative to untreated water and a step toward reducing the health and financial burdens associated with waterborne disease. "Cholera outbreaks used to be a constant burden on our families and our community. Now we're able to access clean water, especially for the children, who bore the brunt of it. I'm grateful Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company worked with us to make this possible," says Zura. Nduta is one example of what can happen when water utilities listen to the people they serve and build solutions around their needs. Through its partnership with Xylem, PSI is strengthening the operational and technical capabilities of utilities like Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company to expand equitable access to water and sanitation while supporting long-term service sustainability. One approach is demand-driven sales, which equips utility staff to understand customers' needs, identify barriers to access, and offer solutions that respond to the realities of people's lives. In Nduta, that meant recognizing that an individual connection was unaffordable for many families and restoring a community kiosk that could serve them instead. The lesson also extends beyond one community: sustainable water access depends not only on infrastructure, but also on listening to customers, building local capacity, and making services work for the people who need them. By bringing these elements together, PSI and partners are working toward a future in which more communities can access and sustain the water services they need to thrive. Donate to support its work. By Karin Hatzold, Senior Advisor II, Infectious Diseases Lenacapavir (LEN) represents one of... By Betty Abera, Project Director, Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Across Africa, pharmacies... Before sunrise in Nduta community, Homa Bay County, Kenya, women and children would set out carrying... Today, your phone can answer almost anything. Questions about dinner recipes, travel recommendations,... When Soyun's infant daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, managing the condition consumed every... In August 2025, health officials in Xepon District noticed something unusual: malaria cases were rising... The fight against HIV has reached a pivotal moment. Scientific breakthroughs are creating new opportunities...

Xylem third-quarter orders up 10 percent organically as company plans two divestitures. Xylem booked 2.3 billion dollars of orders in the third quarter of 2026, lowered its full-year outlook and announced its intent to divest Applied Water International and Specialty Flow Control. Water technology and pump manufacturer Xylem reported third-quarter 2026 orders of 2.3 billion dollars, up 7 percent on a reported basis and 10 percent organically. At the same time, the company lowered its full-year outlook and announced strategic actions intended to accelerate growth. Orders up, revenue flat. According to Xylem, quarterly revenue was 2.2 billion dollars, down 3 percent reported and flat organically. Earnings per share rose 34 percent to 1.25 dollars, while adjusted earnings per share increased 5 percent to 1.44 dollars. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 70 basis points year over year to 23.9 percent, driven by productivity savings and price realisation. 2026 outlook revised. For full-year 2026, Xylem now expects revenue of approximately 8.95 billion dollars, down 1 percent reported and flat organically. The adjusted EPS outlook was lowered from a range of 5.55 to 5.70 dollars to 5.40 to 5.45 dollars. The adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be approximately 23.2 percent, an increase of 100 basis points compared with 2025. Two divestitures and a three-segment structure. As part of its strategic actions, Xylem announced its intent to divest Applied Water International and Specialty Flow Control. From 1 January 2027, the company will move from four segments to three: Treatment and Services, led by Rodney Aulick; Flow Solutions, led by Joe Johnston; and Measurement and Analytics, led by Meredith Emmerich. Xylem also said it will sharpen its focus on data centres and microelectronics, markets in which it reports growing momentum. Sources. * Xylem, "Xylem Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results and Announces Strategic Actions to Accelerate Growth", 27 October 2026, xylem.com Image: Xylem

A Simply Wall St screen of US large-cap value and dividend-paying stocks names three companies that could gain from the Federal Reserve holding interest rates higher for longer: General Dynamics, Pentair, and Xylem. General Dynamics, a defence contractor with a market cap of $96.5 billion, earns $17.9 billion from Marine Systems, $13.8 billion each from Aerospace and Technologies, and $9.4 billion from Combat Systems. Its shipbuilding revenue grew about 10%, with a better profit margin. Pentair, valued at $8.8 billion, sells water filtration and pool equipment. It cut its 2026 guidance and now expects revenue to fall 4% to 7% from $4.2 billion in 2025. Xylem, valued at $25.3 billion, makes water infrastructure equipment. Ageing infrastructure and water scarcity support long-term demand. The screen found 26 more stocks.