Xylem Value of Water Index: China reveals strongly held belief that urgent action is required to address local water issues

Impact of water crisis on future economic growth tops concerns

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2014-- The Xylem Value of Water Index: China reveals that 96 percent of the urban Chinese public believes that the water challenges in China are serious. Top-of-mind issues of concern include pollution, industrial discharge, and overconsumption.

Further, 99 percent of survey respondents believe that it is important for urgent action to be taken to address these challenges. The research also shows that there is a strong willingness to make personal contributions to solve these issues, with more than 94 percent of respondents willing to change their behavior around water use and more than 75 percent willing to pay more to support upgrading the water system to secure access to clean water.

The Chinese government plans to spend two trillion yuan ($330 billion) to address water challenges in China, specifically to improve water quality through upgrading infrastructure and investments in technology.¹ More than two-thirds of survey respondents were most concerned about the water issues’ effects on economic growth and innovation in China. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents support collaboration between the government and the private sector to address the challenges. The majority (88 percent) of water industry experts surveyed believe that private sector companies have a role to play in supporting this effort, specifically by developing technological innovation and providing the expertise needed to address China’s water challenges.

“We conducted the Value of Water Index in China to better understand the public perception of water challenges here, in addition to gathering industry experts’ opinions on possible solutions,” said Shuping Lu, President of Xylem China. “We’ve learned that there is a broad understanding of the pressing need to address water challenges in China, and most people are willing to play a role to help achieve this important goal. There is meaningful progress being made in China, and Xylem hopes to support the government’s efforts as we continue to identify and develop solutions together.”

“As we all know, China’s water crisis is serious, yet the true value of water has not been widely recognized. We cannot protect and conserve water without truly appreciating its value,” said Weizhao Dai, Senior Partner of E20 Environment Platform and Executive President of E20 Institute. “The Value of Water Index we conducted together with Xylem aims to raise the public awareness of the value of water. We hope that this research encourages Chinese society to take action to protect water and promote China’s environmental dream.”

The 2014 Xylem Value of Water Index: China was released today at the China Water Expo in Beijing by Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL), a leading global water technology company focused on solving the world’s most challenging water issues. The Xylem 2014 Value of Water Index is the third installment of the Value of Water Index, and the first to be conducted outside of the United States. The research was conducted in partnership with China Water Net of the E20 Environment Platform, a leading consulting firm focused on the intersection of environment and industry.

To view the full results of the Index, visit http://www.xyleminc.com/valueofwater/.

About the 2014 Xylem Value of Water Index: China

The 2014 Xylem Value of Water Index in China is based on an online study of 2,360 urban Chinese in selected Tier 1 and Tier 2, or large and mid-size cities; and of 159 water industry influencers in China. The margins of error at the 95 percent confidence level are +/- 2.4 percent for the urban consumer sample, +/- 3.9 percent for the national elite sample, and +/- 7.9 percent for the water industry experts sample. Each interview was approximately 20 minutes in duration. Fieldwork for this study was conducted between September 11 and October 13, 2014.

The Value of Water Index has been conducted three times; first in 2010 and next in 2012, both in the United States. The 2014 study was expanded to China as Xylem works to provide new insight into the perception of water challenges in a critical market.

About Xylem

Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems. Xylem is headquartered in Rye Brook, N.Y., with 2013 revenues of $3.8 billion and more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Xylem was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last three years for advancing sustainable business practices and solutions worldwide.

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, please visit us at www.xylem.com.

¹ http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/18/us-china-water-pollution-idUSBREA1H0H120140218

Source: Xylem Inc.

Xylem Inc.
Jennifer Jacob, +1-914-323-5745
Jennifer.Jacob@xyleminc.com