Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Launch Second Water ATM

BW Online Bureau Sep 19, 2017

Safe Water Network, a global NGO, in partnership with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has launched their second water ATM in the city providing affordable, 24x7 safe water access in Hyderabad. As a part of the first phase, 50 water ATMs of the 200 planned will be set up, reaching more than 150,000 people. The water ATM at Tadbund X Road, has been supported by ADP. It was inaugurated by Mr. Sreedhar Gunduboina, ADP lead CSR of Hyderabad along with Mr. Kurt Soderlund CEO Safe Water Network and Ravindra Sewak Country Director Safe Water Network in the presence of local MLA Mohd Mozam Khan, Municipal Corporators and the local community.

Safe Water Network has been working alongside communities in 14 Telangana districts to provide safe, affordable water solutions since 2010. The first Water ATM in the city was launched a week back and the not-for-profit, hopes to set up all 50 Water ATMs in the city of Hyderabad by March 2018.

Consumers can collect water that is affordably priced at Re 1 per glass, Rs. 2 per litre, Rs. 5 per 10 litres, and Rs 10 per 20 litres.

Thanking GHMC and HMWSSB, Kurt Soderlund, CEO, Safe Water Network, said, "We are committed to ensuring communities have access to safe water, especially for the poor. We focus on driving sustainability by building local capabilities to operate safe water stations, and mobilize strong grassroots community support. We are happy to launch the second water ATM in Hyderabad city within a span of 10 days, showcasing our dedication to the cause."

Mr. Sreedhar Gunduboina said, "ADP is happy to work with Safe Water Network India in providing clean water through government supported Water ATMs for the communities to improve their health. ADP has over 5000 engineers working in Hyderabad development center who have their roots in Telangana."

About Safe Water Network: Safe Water Network's priority is to advance the scale-up of small water enterprises, a decentralized and locally owned approach to providing communities with affordable, reliable and safe water. Working alongside communities in Ghana and India since 2009 it is documenting and demonstrating the potential for this approach to be cost-effectively scaled-up.

Over the past seven years, Safe Water Network India has established 200 iJal Safe Water Stations in the Indian states of Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, providing safe water access to more than 700,000 people. Working alongside local governments, urban local bodies, and Panchayati Raj institutions in urban and rural settings, the program empowers local communities and entrepreneurs with the training, tools, and support needed for success. Communities buy safe drinking water at an affordable rate, providing sufficient cash flow to support operations, including technical services. Working with the Indian Government and other stakeholders, our priority is to advance the policy and funding mechanisms and develop the systems, tools, and resources needed to scale this approach.