Raintree Foundation

Knowledge Centre

We are registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010

January 2025

CHANGEMAKER’S CIRCLE

Empowering Communities with Access to Clean Drinking Water

                                                                                                        —Powered by the Sun

For many of us, turning on a tap and drinking clean water is a routine. But in the villages of Velhe Taluka, Pune, access to safe water has been a daily struggle. With frequent power outages disrupting water filtration systems, families have had to rely on uncertain and often unsafe water sources.

Thanks to the generous intervention by SBI General Insurance, we have completed the Solarization of Community Water Filters project across nine villages in Velhe Taluka. This initiative ensures that over 600 households now have uninterrupted access to clean drinking water powered by solar energy.

Solar Energy Ensures Reliable Water Purification

The filtration system provides 20 litres of purified water for just five rupees, reducing waterborne infections and cutting costs for villagers who no longer need to buy water containers. Designed for ease of use, it now operates reliably with solar energy, overcoming power supply limitations.

Solar Energy: A Game-Changer

To tackle the issue of unreliable electricity, we implemented off-grid solar-powered filtration units with battery backups. Now, even during power cuts, these systems can continue running, ensuring a steady supply of safe drinking water. By reducing dependency on electricity, this initiative provides a sustainable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution to a pressing community challenge.

Impacting community with the initiative

  • 600+ households now have uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, significantly reducing health risks and medical expenses.
  • Women in these villages will save up to 40 minutes per day previously spent on fetching water, giving them more time for work, education, and family.
  • Local governance (Gram Panchayat) can now ensure a clean water supply without worrying about electricity failures.

 

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

In February this year, we gathered in Sakhar village to mark a momentous occasion—the official inauguration of the solar-powered water filtration system. Alongside local leaders, community and the Raintree Foundation team, we were honored to welcome Rathin Lahiri, Head of Marketing & CSR at SBI General Insurance Ltd, who joined us to witness the impact of this project firsthand.

During the event, warranty cards were issued for all the new solarized filtration units and were handed over to the Gram Panchayat Sarpanch, symbolizing community ownership and long-term sustainability.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You to SBI General Insurance

The project would not have been possible without the support of SBI General Insurance. By providing clean water, they have also empowered the villages with a sustainable solution for years to come.

At Raintree Foundation, we believe that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental right—not a privilege. With the help of partners like SBI General Insurance, we are taking bold steps toward a future where every community has access to clean, reliable and sustainable water solutions.

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