Boson Whitewater, a startup situated in Bengaluru, has collaborated with SGBS Unnati Foundation, an NGO, to launch water ATMs in rural regions of Karnataka, providing easy and secure access to drinking water.
ExxonMobil, along with Broadridge, has financed several initiatives under their CSR program, including the establishment of water ATMs in rural areas of Karnataka. As part of this project, 10 water ATMs have already been set up in Malur and Doddaballapur villages on the outskirts of Bengaluru, providing safe and clean drinking water to more than 1500 families.
Unnati Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing skill development opportunities to underprivileged youth across multiple states. Its primary objective is to equip them with necessary skills that can help them secure employment. According to a statement, in the financial year 2022-23, the organization has provided training to over 28,000 young individuals. Additionally, Unnati Foundation supports the establishment of water ATMs in villages to ensure that rural communities have access to safe drinking water.
Boson Whitewater was recently approached by several village panchayats in Malur and Doddaballapur to provide safe drinking water for their communities. It was reported that some areas in these villages had been severely affected by fluoride contamination, causing health problems for numerous families. Consequently, Unnati Foundation collaborated with Boson Whitewater to address the issue and work towards ensuring that safe drinking water is accessible to the affected communities.
After an evaluation of the site recommended by Unnati Foundation, Boson Whitewater installed water ATMs in the area. The company provided Panchayats with Water ATM cards, and each family was given a preloaded Water Card worth INR 50, which can be used to withdraw 20 liters of water by swiping them. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative, a nominal fee of INR 5 is charged for each 20-litre water can. ExxonMobil and Broadridge have provided financial assistance for the program.
Commenting on the initiative, Ramesh Swamy, Director, of Unnati Foundation, said, “We would like to thank ExxonMobil and Broadridge for their financial support for the projects. This collaboration is a great example of how social ventures and private players can collaborate for the greater good of the community. Through our joint efforts, more people in rural communities can now have easy access to safe and clean drinking water, which is essential for health and well-being. We look forward to working closely with Boson Whitewater to reach many more rural communities across India”
Vikas Brahmavar, CEO and Co-founder of Boson Whitewater, said, “At Boson Whitewater, our overarching goal is to use our technology to create easy access to clean water. We look for opportunities like this that allow us to make a huge difference to communities that find it difficult to access clean water. We are excited about our partnership with Unnati Foundation and look forward to implementing more projects together in the future.”