Water security has several implications for economic growth and public health. Together with transportation and electricity, it constitutes one of the weakest components of Indian infrastructure.

A robust, effective and affordable technology, implemented in a financially viable model was the need of the hour for the rural poor. In its quest for developing commercially viable rural infrastructure models, ICICI Bank has supported organizations providing low cost drinking water facilities to the rural poor.

The most notable among them is its support to the Hyderabad-based Water Health India International (WHI), the Indian arm of the California-based Water Health International. WHI has developed an innovative low cost water purification system that kills disease-causing microorganisms by using patented UVWaterWorks, which is based on a non-submerged UV technology designed to inactivate all pathogens.

As per its model, WHI sets up a Water Health Centre in the village with various filters to clean the water of all physical and suspended particles and then UV to clean it of all microbiological contaminants, thus providing safe water that meets World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

It draws water from the village resources and its success derives from being community managed which in turn ensures equitable and efficient distribution of water at a very nominal price. This community water system model developed by WHI can provide a village of up to 5000 people with ten litres of safe water per household per day at a fee of Rs. 1.50 (3 cents) for 20 litres.

The proceeds can cover the purchase of the UV system along with pumps, tanks, valves, controllers and the civil structure as well as maintenance. WHI has already done a few pilots of the model across the globe including a few in Andhra Pradesh, which have been supported by ICICI Bank. In keeping with the project, WHI has installed WaterHealth Centres in 20 villages in Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts of Krishna, Guntur, Godavari and Prakasam and is in the process of installing another 30 systems in these districts. About 100 WaterHealth Centres in Andhra Pradesh, providing potable water to more than 500,000 needy people in the villages are in the process of being set up.