Providing affordable, convenient, and sustainable safe water access to more than 200,000 people in Telangana. Driving sustainability through unique solutions like water ATMs, solar-enabled water stations, and remote monitoring system.
India CSR News Network
HYDERABAD: Safe Water Network and Honeywell India today launched their 75th safe water station, providing safe water access to more than 200,000 people in Telangana districts affected by groundwater contamination, including from fluorides. These locally-owned and locally-operated safe water stations deploy state-of-the-art six-step treatment process, including reverse osmosis and ultraviolet to purify water. This treated water complies with the Bureau of Indian Standards’ and World Health Organization’s water quality standards. Unique technology interventions such as solar power, water ATMs, and remote monitoring system ensure uninterrupted and sustainable supply of clean drinking water. Additionally, pressurised and automated can washer improves can washing leading to water safety.
Kurt Soderlund, CEO, Safe Water Network, said, “We are committed to ensure that communities have access to safe water, especially the poor. We focus on driving sustainability by building local capabilities to operate safe water stations, and mobilize strong grassroots community support. We are grateful to Bharathi Hollikeri, IAS, District Collector, Medak, for helping expand this initiative for the betterment of her district’s community health. This is an important step towards scaling-up safe water stations in Telangana.”
Bharathi Hollikeri, IAS, District Collector, Medak District, Telangana, said, “Safe water stations in Medak district is empowering local community by providing safe drinking water access to over 50,000 people for their good health. The price is affordable and the program is sustainable. I appreciate Safe Water Network and Honeywell India for their commitment towards Medak community.”
A series of activation events, including door-to-door consumer awareness, village-level meetings, live demonstrations of water quality, and the use of audio visuals, help raise awareness and drive safe water adoption. Engagement at all levels of the targeted community for social, financial, and environmental sustainability ensure the continued success of the program.
Highlighting Honeywell’s commitment to Telangana, Vikas Chadha, President, Honeywell India, said,“Not only are we helping build Telangana into a technology hub through our thousand engineers and global technology work they do here, we are also tied to community through this program. It is important to understand that safe water is not just about health. It allows children to go to school every day, parents to work and improve living standards – it can transform lives.”
Over the last two years, Safe Water Network and Honeywell India have set up safe water stations across Karimnagar, Adilabad, Warangal Rural, Warangal Urban, Jayashankar, Mahabubabad, Jagtiyal, Peddapalli, Badradri, Mancherial, Suryapet, Khammam, Medak, and Nalgonda districts.
- Total Honeywell-funded safe water stations in Telangana: 75; adding 25 more in 2018.
- Total impact: More than 200,000 people in Telangana; over 200 local livelihoods have been generated contributing to drudgery reduction amongst women
- Who owns and operates: Entrepreneur/community-owned and operated water treatment facility
- Technology: Six-step water treatment process, including reverse osmosis water treatment and ultraviolet
- Water ATMs: Consumers use RFID cards at water ATMs to dispense 20 litres of safe drinking water for Rs. 5
- Solar energy: Reduces operating cost and provides uninterrupted water supply.
