Potable or safe drinking water is essential for the health and well-being of everyone. Access to safe drinking water is one of the most fundamental ways of promoting health and reducing poverty.

According to UN-Water, approximately 3.5 million people die every year due to inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene. In India alone, 4 lakh people die every year due to lack of safe drinking water. According to research figures of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), water contamination is a major problem in Gurugram and almost 40% of potable water available has a high level of fluoride, chlorine and TDS (essential minerals and salts).

With an objective to provide safe and clean drinking water to the people living in two slum clusters of Nathupur and Chakkarpur in Gurugram, Humana People to People India with support from Bank of America Continuum Ltd. implemented the Safe Drinking Project in the existing project locations of Nathupur and Chakkarpur where Integrated Slum Development Project (ISDP) is being implemented since past 3 years.

The project selected and installed Bio Sand Water Filters as these filters are economical and contribute not only to provide safe drinking water but also reduces carbon footprints since no fuel is required for its functioning.

Apart from this, the filter runs on locally available materials such as sand, gravel and charcoal which is simple and affordable technology to tackle the problem of impure water for consumption. In comparison where a single-family spent INR 600-700 per month on drinking water, now they can directly access clean drinking water and use the money for other necessities.

Under the project, these filters were installed in 50 homes in Nathupur and 50 homes in Chakkarpur between July and November 2020.