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Water

In Focus

Water

The Harvard community is exploring ways to ensure that the world’s water—from the vast oceans to a glass of tap water—is healthful, unpolluted, and abundant.

Last updated: September 2024

Did you know…

The human body is about 60% water by weight.

It’s recommended to drink nine to 13 cups of water per day.

Working with water

Harvard experts are exploring all aspects of water, from hydration to migration.

Protecting potable water

Between harmful chemicals, minerals, and pollution, providing safe drinking water requires constant work.


Pollution solutions


A liquid gated membrane

Filtering liquids with liquids

Based on systems found in nature, liquid-gated membrane filtration systems are being studied to improve wastewater purification.

Read more about the research

An image of the AquaPulse device

Cleaning water off the grid

A portable water purifier in development by researchers at the Wyss Institute aims to make contaminated water safer to drink.

Learn about the system

Saving the waters of the world


How climate change changes water

People traversing a flooded street

Deep trouble

Floods, exacerbated by climate change, often have distressing effects. “Many emergency health systems are not ready to cope with that type of disaster,” says Patrick Vinck, director of research at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.

Deep trouble

Water, life, and climate change in South Asia

The economy of South Asia is deeply tied to the amount of rainfall the monsoon brings each year, but climate change threatens to shift its patterns, destabilizing livelihoods throughout the region.

A flooded street in India
Water, life, and climate change in South Asia

Solutions for extreme climate events in Mexico

Mexico’s second largest city experienced a critical shortage of water recently, requiring the state government to ration water for many of the city’ five million residents.

Harvard students standing in a dry river bed in Mexico
Solutions for extreme climate events in Mexico

Ensuring Miami has drinkable water

Climate change has increased the vulnerability of Miami’s drinkable water through saltwater intrusion and water pollution from flooding.

A map of Miami's potable water sources
Ensuring Miami has drinkable water

Supporting our local waters