Milwaukee-based Sensient Technologies Corp. said it hosted a companywide virtual event to build and donate 270 portable water filtration systems to fight the global water crisis and bring clean water to people all over the world.

In celebration of World Water Day, Sensient team members from around the country gathered virtually to listen to Josh Elliot, chief operating officer of Boone, N.C.-based nonprofit Wine to Water, explain the measurable impact of bringing clean water and sanitation to those in need. He then led the group in building the water filters, which would ultimately reach people as far away as the Amazon rainforest, Nepal, Colombia and East Africa and as near as hurricane and flood victims in the United States, Sensient said. It is estimated that 2.2 billion people around the world are living without access to safe, clean water. Each filter is a portable water filtration system that can provide up to 10 years of clean water for an entire family.

“At Sensient, we want to contribute to the betterment of the world we live in. Safe, clean water should be available for all people, everywhere,” said Paul Manning, chairman, president and CEO of Sensient. “The water filters built by our employees will help 270 families access clean water for years to come. We are proud to do our part in this important effort.”

World Water Day, a United Nations observance held annually on March 22, brings attention to the importance of fresh, clean water. In developing nations, people without access to clean water, hand washing or hygiene have been and continue to be especially vulnerable during the pandemic. Sensient said this was its first virtual outreach event and was funded by the Sensient Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Wine to Water’s mission aligns with many of the foundation’s goals and supports Sensient’s corporate sustainability efforts.