The Coca-Cola Company

Fighting Water Shortage In India

May 26, 2006 edition

Last week, nine rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge wells were inaugurated at the Mandakini NRI Complex in the Greater Kailash area of South Delhi.

The wells are the city's largest for recharging ground water and were built in association with the Resident Welfare Association and Coca-Cola India (CCI) under the technical guidance of the Central Groundwater Board with active support from the Bhagidari Cell of the Delhi government.

As part of its 4R program (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Recharge) to achieve water management and conservation, CCI is undertaking 40 rain water harvesting projects all over the country this year -- of which ten are being commissioned in Delhi. CCI already supports several similar projects with 200 rainwater harvesting structures in 17 states of the country.

Delhi has 80 underground reservoirs all over the city but most of them are without water. These water harvesting projects can help alleviate acute water shortage.

During the inauguration, Delhi's Chief Minister encouraged other Resident Welfare Associations to take up similar rainwater harvesting project in their areas.