In India, more than 78 million people lack access to safe drinking water. The country ranks 120th out of 122 on the global Water Quality Index. Every year, 37.7 million Indians are affected by waterborne diseases, and 1.5 million children die from diarrhea. The health and economic impacts are massive, estimated at $600 million per year. 

Naandi Community Water Services (NCWS) is committed to addressing this challenge with a community-based and innovative technology model: water kiosks equipped with reverse osmosis technology managed locally. 

These kiosks provide quality drinking water at an affordable price, while creating jobs and strengthening local capacity. 

In addition to Water Kiosks, NCWS is present in schools, with water access programs that allow children to drink safe water throughout the day. 

An innovative and sustainable model 

The water kiosk model is based on a tripartite partnership between the local community, a donor, and NCWS. NCWS manages this partnership by choosing the kiosk location, purchasing filtration equipment, ensuring water quality, conducting change management campaigns, and training community members who operate and manage the water kiosks. 

Founded in 2010, Naandi now operates in 7 Indian states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra), with 522 kiosks installed and 592,000 daily beneficiaries. 

Naandi has a hybrid business model. The company sells two brands: the iPure brand, which serves vulnerable populations in rural areas, and the iQuench brand, which is sold to large companies in Hyderabad. 

• iPure: water sold in rural areas at a low price. This water is distributed through kiosks installed by Naandi in rural zones. The company trains local entrepreneurs to ensure the maintenance and daily management of these kiosks. After seven years, the kiosks are handed over to the communities: this is already the case for 273 of them. 
• iQuench: bottled water sold in urban areas (Hyderabad), with profits reinvested into iPure. Water jugs are sold to companies, providing employees with access to safe drinking water at work. 

Naandi is now B Corp certified, with practices recognized among the best in the world for its relationship with communities. 

The impact of Naandi on health and communities 

Danone Communities supports Naandi to improve the health of vulnerable populations in India, in line with our health mission, our commitment to innovation, and our vision of impact-driven business. The results are concrete: 

• 592,000 people benefit from safe drinking water every day 
• 35,000 children have access to water in their schools 
• Reduction in school absenteeism from 23.1% to 2.3% thanks to water access 
• 51% of beneficiaries report being in better health since the kiosks were installed 
• 40% increase in the number of men taking responsibility for fetching water, reducing the burden on women 
• 273 kiosks have been transferred to communities after seven years of operation 

>>> To learn more: naandiwater 

How Danone Communities actively supports Naandi, some concrete examples: 

• Patient investment: Danone Communities has been a shareholder since 2010, supporting the structure and growth of the model  
• Technical Assistance: Our teams support Naandi in governance, strategy, and impact measurement 
• Model promotion: Naandi is regularly highlighted as an example of a sustainable community solution 
• Strategic networking: We facilitate connections with public and private partners to support the expansion of the model 

592,000

people impacted in 2024

522

kiosks installed