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India

India's water and sanitation crisis

Out of its population of 1.4 billion people, 342 million people lack access to safe water and 539 million people lack access to a safe toilet. Current challenges include depleting groundwater, contaminated surface water and lack of access to piped water supply. The effects from climate change like droughts and rising sea levels also affect access to safe water and sanitation for families in India.

These factors, combined with the current initiative by the Government of India to provide tap water connections to every household by 2024, have created unprecedented urgency to implement effective solutions to increase access to safe water and sanitation.

342 million lack access to safe water
Capital: New Delhi
Population of 1.4 billion
539 million people lack access to a safe toilet

Our impact in India

Since 2004, Water.org has played a significant role in India’s progress toward improved water and sanitation, empowering more than 31.7 million people with access to safe water or sanitation through our WaterCredit solution, a model first piloted in India.

We partner with a wide range of organizations, including microfinance institutions, self-help group promoting institutions, commercial and public sector banks, non-banking financial companies, social enterprises, and the Government of India to provide access to affordable safe water and sanitation solutions for families living at the base of the economic pyramid.

31.7 million
people now have access to safe water or sanitation
Woman filling up an orange water vessel from a tap outside her home in India.

34 partners in India
$1.8 billion in loans disbursed by our partners
7 million loans disbursed for water and sanitation

A vision for future impact in India

Water.org is deeply invested in India and strategically positioned to support the country’s push to end the water crisis. Building on India’s strong microfinance and banking industry, an increasingly digitized lending environment, and robust government support, our vision is to scale WaterCredit and expand wholesale WASH lending with financial institutions to meet the vast unmet demand for water and sanitation financing. We also aim to mobilize finance for urban water and sanitation infrastructure, strengthening services and extending coverage so that more families living at the base of the economic pyramid can access safe water and sanitation and build lasting resilience.

Woman making a payment on her microfinance loan for a water or sanitation solution.

Sunita has safe water at home

Watch to hear from Sunita how affordable, lasting access to safe water at home has changed her life in south India.

  • Stories of Impact

    Anita's family is safe

    Anita wanted to give her girls a safe, healthy place to go but, the thought of paying for a private toilet at home felt financially impossible. How could she save to build a toilet when the costs of living were already too high? Read about how a small loan helped Anita solve her family's sanitation crisis.

    Read more
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  • Stories of Impact

    Swati no longer struggles to give her family water

    A developing leader in India, the state of Maharashtra is making headway for its economy and its people, however in this region Swati calls home, millions of people still lack access to safe water and sanitation. Find out how a small, affordable loan empowered this mother of two with lasting access to safe water at home.

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  • Stories of Impact

    Kantabai gave her family safe water and a bright future

    In the countries where we work, like India, women and children often bear the primary responsibility for water collection. After decades of collecting water from distant sources outdoors, Kantabai is thankful she could finally give her sons, daughter-in-laws, and grandchildren safe water at home.

    Read more
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See all India stories

India impact statistics

People reached 31.7 million

The number of people who now have access to safe water or sanitation and the health and opportunity they bring.

Capital mobilized (USD) $1.8 billion

Our partners mobilize funds from capital markets to provide water and sanitation loans.

Loans disbursed 7 million

Our local partners make loans to people in need for life-changing safe water and sanitation solutions.

Number of active partners 34

We work with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make an impact.

Repayment rate 97%

Every repaid loan means another family in need can get affordable access to safe water at home.

Average loan size (USD) $258

Small loans can help make a big difference by providing long-term solutions for families in need around the world.

Percent of women borrowers 99%

Women are primarily responsible for household water collection and are solving the water crisis for their families.

Households living under $8.30/day 90%

We are committed to helping people living in poverty get access to safe water and sanitation solutions at home.