Embracing the World launches project to provide clean drinking water for 10 million people in 5,000 villages across India

October 8 2017, Amritapuri, Kerala, India

According to WaterAid India, approximately 76 million in India lack access to clean drinking water , and more than 60,000 children, five and under, die each year in India from diarrheal diseases caused by drinking impure water and poor sanitation. And according UNICEF India, 67% of Indian households do not treat their drinking water, even though it could be contaminated with harmful bacteria and chemicals.

Today at Embracing the World’s headquarters in Amritapuri, Kerala, India, we announced a major new initiative. Faculty and students of our own Amrita University have conceived and designed modular water filtration system, and having proven the concept, we will provide filtration systems to generate clean drinking water for 10 million villagers throughout the nation. The initiative was inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind.

The initial phase of the project — which aims to install “Jivamritam” filtration systems for clean drinking water in 5,000 villages throughout the nation — is being completely funded by Embracing the World’s parent organization, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, at a projected cost of Rs. 1 billion [$15.27 Million U.S.]. Each Jivamritam System is capable of filtering the daily drinking-water needs of up to 400 five-member families.

The Jivamritam Filtration System was conceptualized and designed by faculty and students of our own Amrita University. We intend to deploy all 5,000 Jivamritam Systems within one year, provided we receive timely permissions from local administrations.

“The Jivamritam System avails of a dual sand-and-activated-carbon filter to remove suspended particles and turbidity, followed by micron filters of five-micron and one-micron filtration,” said Dr. Maneesha Sudheer, the Jivamritam project head from Amrita University. “Each system also includes an ultraviolet water-purifier to remove pathogenic contamination, and two storage tanks — 2,000-litre-inlet and a 1,000-litre outlet — to keep treated and untreated water separate. The filtered-water tanks are integrated with taps to provide drinking water at the location of the system itself.”

Dr. Maneesha added that the Jivamritam System would be modular. “The water available in every village is different, and some may have different needs,” she said. “This is the first module, with variations to come as needed.”

President Kovind inaugurated Jivamritam in Amma’s presence by unveiling a model system to thousands of Amma’s admirers who had gathered for the occasion. The President, Amma and the gathered crowd, then watched a Jivamritam System provide clean water to villagers in Clappana, Kollam, via a live-stream connection.