Merck and Safe Water Network partner to improve water supply in India

 

Global healthcare company Merck (MSD) has formed a three-year, $1.5m partnership with Safe Water Network to improve water supply in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The collaboration is aimed at improving access to safe water and will reduce the impact of water-borne disease among impoverished communities in the state.

The partnership will also develop water demand generation programmes that seek to increase household usage.

Safe Water Network chief executive officer Kurt Soderlund said the collaboration aims to expand the impact of the company’s safe-water projects.

"It will accelerate our work to develop solutions that can be broadly replicated. The initiative demonstrates how companies like Merck can play an important role in developing solutions to global water challenges," Soderlund said.

An estimated 70% to 80% of the total burden of disease in the country is related to water contamination and poor sanitation, the partners said.

As part of the initiative, 12 sites will be added to the existing field projects of Safe Water Network in the state.

The existing projects offer nearly 40,000 people access to clean water, while the additional sites will provide safe water access to another 20,000 to 30,000 people.

Image: The collaboration between Merck and Safe Water Network will improve access to safe water in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Photo: dan.