HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Katz Water Technologies (KWT), a Houston-based startup focused on advanced water purification, has advanced to the Qualified Team in the prestigious XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition. This multi-year, $119 million global challenge is sponsored by the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.

The XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition is designed to revolutionize seawater desalination by accelerating the development of reliable, affordable, and sustainable solutions to address the global water crisis. KWT's selection for the competition marks a significant milestone in its mission to tackle some of the world's toughest water challenges.

About the Technology
KWT's patented X-VAP™ thermal distillation technology enables highly efficient water purification using solar thermal energy. This technology offers a breakthrough in decentralized and energy-efficient desalination.

"We are honored to be recognized by XPRIZE Water Scarcity and proud to be part of a global movement to ensure clean water access for all," said Gary Katz, CEO and Founder of KWT. "This recognition validates our approach and accelerates our path toward deploying scalable desalination systems in water-stressed regions".

KWT's success with the XPRIZE competition follows its earlier achievement in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Desalination Prize. The company was the first contestant to be awarded a $750,000 semifinalist prize and a $100,000 research voucher. This award supported the development of a pilot plant to purify heavily contaminated oil-and-gas-produced water for onsite reuse, which helps reduce deep-water disposal and preserve freshwater aquifers in drought-stricken areas like New Mexico.

The XPRIZE award will further enable KWT to expand its technology applications beyond the oil and gas industry to include industrial, agricultural, and humanitarian uses in remote regions that lack access to electricity and clean water.

About Katz Water Technologies
Founded in 2016, KWT has received over $2 million in federal grants and prize funding, including awards from the NSF and U.S. Air Force SBIR. With 18 issued patents, KWT's X-VAP™ technology represents a leap forward in thermal distillation efficiency. The technology enables modular, solar-powered water purification systems that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

To learn more, please visit:  www.katzwatertx.com.

About XPRIZE 
XPRIZE is the recognized global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity's greatest challenges. For over 30 years, our unique model has democratized crowd-sourced innovation and scientifically scalable solutions that accelerate a more equitable and abundant future. Donate, learn more, and co-architect a world of abundance with us at xprize.org.

Media Contact: Katie Mehnert, CEO & Founder, ALLY Energy, support@allyenegy.com

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SOURCE Katz Water Technologies