In a major step toward improving safe water access in rural India, Lubrizol, a global specialty chemicals company, partnered with Ashirvad by Aliaxis, a leading CPVC pipes and fittings brand, to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in government schools in Pune district, Maharashtra. The initiative, implemented with the support of the Jal Seva Charitable Foundation (JSCF), has enabled the installation of modern water and sanitation systems across four government schools, ensuring access to 13,000 litres of clean water daily for over 565 students and 26 staff members.
Addressing Water Challenges in Rural Schools
In many rural communities surrounding Pune, access to safe drinking water in schools remains a challenge. The schools included in this programme primarily serve children from tribal and historically underserved communities, where reliable water and sanitation facilities have often been limited. Prior to the intervention, these schools faced significant gaps in drinking water availability and sanitation infrastructure, affecting both health and learning conditions. By upgrading WASH infrastructure, the project aims to create a safer and healthier school environment where students can focus on education without worrying about basic necessities.
Building Reliable Water Infrastructure
To address these challenges, Lubrizol funded the complete installation of water and sanitation infrastructure across all four schools. Meanwhile, Ashirvad by Aliaxis contributed high-quality FlowGuard® Plus CPVC pipes and fittings, which are widely recognized for their durability, corrosion resistance, and safety in water distribution systems. As a result, the newly installed infrastructure now provides more than 6,000 litres of safe drinking water daily, ensuring that students and teachers have consistent access to clean water. The robust plumbing system also ensures long-term reliability and sustainability of the water supply.
Promoting Hygiene Awareness and Sustainable Practices
Beyond infrastructure development, the programme also focuses on education and community engagement. The initiative includes structured awareness sessions on hygiene, sanitation, and responsible water usage for students, teachers, and the broader school community. These sessions encourage students to adopt healthy hygiene habits and responsible water management practices, helping ensure that the benefits of the project extend beyond immediate infrastructure improvements.
Industry Collaboration for Social Impact
Binay Agrawal, Business Director, TempRite CPVC at Lubrizol IMEA, said, “For many schools across rural India, access to safe water and hygiene facilities is still not guaranteed. By strengthening WASH infrastructure in these schools, we aim to create healthier environments where children can focus on learning while developing lifelong hygiene habits. At Lubrizol, improving environments through safe water access is central to our work, and our longstanding partnership with Ashirvad by Aliaxis allows us to deliver solutions that make a meaningful difference on the ground.”
Nilanjana Pahari, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Jal Seva Charitable Foundation, emphasized, “Jal Seva Charitable Foundation is pleased to partner with Lubrizol to strengthen WASH infrastructure across Zilla Parishad schools in rural Pune. With the support of local panchayats, school administrations, and Ashirvad by Aliaxis, this initiative has enabled reliable access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities, and better hygiene practices for children in tribal communities.”
Supporting Healthier Learning Environments
The initiative reflects the shared commitment of Lubrizol and Ashirvad to address real challenges faced by underserved communities. By combining Lubrizol’s expertise in specialty chemicals and water infrastructure materials with Ashirvad’s trusted plumbing solutions, the partnership aims to deliver long-term improvements in rural water access. As per the press release, through such collaborative efforts, the companies are contributing to healthier learning environments, improved sanitation standards, and stronger community resilience in rural India – while advancing the broader goal of equitable access to safe water for all.
