Maharashtra, October 15, 2025 – To address long-standing water scarcity challenges, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with the S M Sehgal Foundation, has installed community-managed Water ATMs equipped with Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Ultrafiltration (UF) units across ten villages in the Phulambri block of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (erstwhile Aurangabad). The initiative ensures safe, affordable, and sustainable access to clean drinking water for rural households while strengthening groundwater recharge and community ownership.
Under Anandana’s ‘Refreshing Difference’ campaign, these Water ATMs have become beacons of transformation. Anandana has captured real stories of impact through a series of digital films featuring the voices of community members – women, farmers, and local youth – who are experiencing tangible change in their daily lives.
Watch the stories:
- Savitri’s story from Phulambri | Savitri, an ASHA worker, narrates how the ATMs ended years of dependence on unsafe water sources and costly bottled water.
- Kalpana’s story from Phulambri | Kalpana Suresh Goswami, an Anganwadi Sevika, describes how women are free from the burden of walking long distance to fetch unsafe water daily.
- Kailash’s story from Phulambri | Kailash Bandu Patil Takle, Secretary of the Water Management Committee, highlights how affordable water access fosters savings and improves livelihoods.
- Nanda’s story from Phulambri | Nanda Kailash Gaekwad, a housewife and a farmer, recounts the drop in waterborne diseases, and improved community well-being.
- Yogesh’s story from Phulambri | Yogesh Jadhav, a local resident, explains how safe water access has reduced health issues, and enabled families to invest in agriculture.
These stories reveal how access to safe water has reduced disease outbreaks, saved time for families, and improved school attendance among children. Each film reflects the human side of sustainability – where technology, community engagement, and partnership come together.
“Our partnership with Anandana is helping communities move from water scarcity to reliable access. The Water ATMs are giving families affordable, safe drinking water every day, while check dams and recharge wells are improving groundwater and strengthening local water security. Together, these efforts are creating a model that brings long-term relief to villages and strengthens their water security”, stated Anjali Makhija, Trustee and CEO, S M Sehgal Foundation.
Rajiv Gupta, Director, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation stated, “The impact of these Water ATMs goes beyond clean water access. It’s about restoring dignity, improving livelihoods, and building sustainable ecosystems. We’re proud to share these voices through our ‘Refreshing Difference’ campaign, bringing the power of community partnerships to life.”
Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, has been working with the S M Sehgal Foundation to implement community-focused water initiatives across India. Through Project Jaldhara, the partnership has expanded safe drinking water access through Water ATMs, strengthened groundwater recharge, and improved water availability in drought-prone regions. These efforts have enhanced livelihoods, supported agriculture, and empowered communities in states such as Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
