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Safe Drinking Water: A Reality for All
Presenter: Rohini Mukherjee, Head, Global Partnerships, Naandi Foundation

21% of communicable diseases in India and cause of death of 75% children below five years are water borne diseases. Access to Safe Drinking Water (SDW) is a serious concern especially among the rural poor. Naandi Foundation through its unique and efficient community – based SDW project has assured WHO quality drinking water to the affected populations. The approach involves synergistic partnership between state and local governments, community members, donors and technical partners. Today Naandi has covered over 500 villages in 4 states of India making SDW available to at least 2 million people everyday. The model integrates treatment and distribution of chemical and pathogen free water through a purification facility and intensive health and hygiene campaigns. Once installed the facility is owned, run and maintained by the local community, with support from Naandi and its technical partners. With special focus on vulnerable groups like SC, ST, mothers, newborns - maximum consumption of the treated water is ensured. Through its intervention Naandi has inspired in communities a willingness to pay a nominal user fee for management of these services, making SDW available to all equitably at 10 paise/liter(0.2 cents/liter). Increased productivity due to reduced sick days, increased school attendance especially of the girl child as she is relieved from collection of water, reduced medical expenses, savings on other water treatment options like boiling, chemical additives etc and creation of jobs for at least 2 people within the community engaged in management and education are a few achievements of the project.

Contact: rohini@naandi.org

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