Maruti Suzuki installs 5th water ATM, water available at just 35 p/litre

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has inaugurated its 5th Water ATM facility in Gujarat's Naviyani village. Through this ATM, fresh and clean water will be available at a nominal rate of 35 paisa per litre. Built on a self-sustaining model the facility has a capacity to generate over 1000 litres of water per hour. Set up in Naviyani village in Surendra Nagar district, the Water ATM will benefit over 2800 community members. Moreover, for 100% adherence of quality standards, the Water ATM is fitted with a Water Quality display screen. The Water Quality display screen shows the purity of water in terms of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), temperature and ph level for the users.  

Maruti Suzuki has partnered with Waterlife India, to set up this Water ATM. The Company has invested the initial project cost of over Rs 20 lakhs, while the village panchayat provides land, water and electricity. Waterlife India will continue to manage operations and maintain the Water ATM for next ten years. The facility will be owned by the village panchayat.

Commenting on the setting up of water ATM, AK Tomer, Executive Advisor, Corporate Social Responsibility, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Access to drinking water was identified as a major issue in Maruti Suzuki adopted villages. In Naviyani Village, the TDS levels of bore-well water was as high as 2000, making it unsafe for human consumption. The 10-stage UV filtration process used in the Water ATM has now brought down the levels by around 90%, which is within the permissible range.”

Tomer further adds, "It is a very rewarding experience to see people benefit from our CSR initiatives. Our endeavor is to transform the adopted villages through interventions in areas of water and sanitation, health, education and creation of common community assets.”

As part of its Community Development initiative, Maruti Suzuki started Community Safe Drinking Water project in July 2016.