Standard Chartered Bank, India, announced plans to extend its WASHE (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Education) program on World Water Day 2025, aiming to secure water access in 32 districts by 2027. The initiative will add 1,253 water harvesting structures, building on the program’s existing support for 369 drought-prone villages. The initiative already provides 1.3 billion litres of freshwater annually through 2,899 structures.
The WASHE program employs diverse strategies, from spring shed management in mountainous regions to localized water harvesting in arid areas. A key component is the installation of 135 solar-powered water ATMs, providing clean drinking water to thousands of families, particularly in contamination-prone areas. The program also focuses on greywater treatment, irrigating 2,830 hectares of land, and training 40,000 individuals in water conservation and sustainable agriculture.
