75th Safe water station opened in Telangana

Safe Water Network and Honeywell India on Tuesday launched their 75th water station, providing safe water access to more than 200,000 people in Telangana districts affected by groundwater contamination, including from fluorides.

They also announced that they will add 75 more safe water stations in 2018.

Consumers use RFID cards at water ATMs which dispense 20 litres of safe drinking water for Rs 5.

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, they said in a statement here.

Unique technology interventions such as solar power, water ATMs, and remote monitoring system ensure uninterrupted and sustainable supply of clean drinking water.

The initiative has generated over 200 local livelihoods contributing to drudgery reduction amongst women.

"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 mobilise strong grassroots community support," said Safe Water Network CEO Kurt Soderlund.

"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," said District Collector Bharathi Hollikeri.

"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," said Honeywell India President Vikas Chadha.

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.

--IANS

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