More Communities In Southern India Gain Access To Safe Water Through PepsiCo Foundation And Safe Water Network Collaboration

PURCHASE, N.Y., March 27, 2015 /3BL Media/ - The PepsiCo Foundation and Safe Water Network launched the 80th "iJal," or safe water station, in Vennaram, a village of approximately 4,000 people in the Warangal District of Telangana, India. Like most communities in Warangal, local water sources contain dangerous levels of fluoride and microbial contaminants. Debilitating illness from drinking this water is common. Each water station purifies local ground water and provides convenient, affordable and reliable access to safe water for the entire community.

The launch of this new water station project is a result of a USD $1.7 million grant from the PepsiCo Foundation to the Safe Water Network. By the end of 2016, PepsiCo Foundation's support is expected to bring access to safe water to 180,000 additional people throughout India.

Starting in 2008, the PepsiCo Foundation has awarded in total more than $5 million to Safe Water Network to build out the organization's initial operating footprint in India and Ghana. As a result of this support, Safe Water Network has, to date, provided more than 220,000 people in 67 communities throughout India and Ghana sustainable access to safe water. Besides providing direct funding for water stations, the PepsiCo Foundation's support has enabled the refinement and standardization of a comprehensive set of tools, processes and manuals to build and maintain iJal Stations. In addition, the PepsiCo Foundation supported the development of Safe Water Network's award-winning iJal brand, which included a consumer messaging campaign.

"We believe that strong partnerships are a critical and driving force for positive change in underserved communities," said Sue Norton, vice president of the PepsiCo Foundation. "The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, is proud to have a long standing partnership with Safe Water Network.  This $1.7 million grant expands on the valuable relationships PepsiCo has established as a founding partner of Safe Water Network."

A growing body of research shows that nearly 100 million people in India lack access to safe water. Safe Water Network has been working there since 2008 and has empowered communities to own and manage Safe Water Stations that provide affordable, reliable access to safe water for thousands of people.

"We are deeply grateful for the PepsiCo Foundation's ongoing commitment to Safe Water Network," said Kurt Soderlund, CEO, Safe Water Network. "Today, our team has worked with communities in Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra to build 80 iJal Stations and bring affordable, reliable safe water to over 300,000 people."

About Safe Water Network   
Safe Water Network's priority is to demonstrate at credible scale the success of locally owned and operated community water stations that deliver safe, affordable, and reliable water to populations in need. They continuously improve and expand our model with the intent of broad replication within the sector. To date, Safe Water Network has implemented more than 100 Safe Water Stations, providing safe water access to over 400,000 people in Ghanaand India. Safe Water Network was co-founded in 2006 by Paul Newman and John C. Whitehead, along with other prominent business and civic leaders. For more information, visit: http://www.safewaternetwork.org/

About the PepsiCo Foundation  
Established in 1962, the PepsiCo Foundation is the philanthropic anchor of PepsiCo, collaborating with non-profit organizations to develop innovative solutions to challenges facing underserved communities around the world.  In support of PepsiCo's commitment to Performance with Purpose, the PepsiCo Foundation provides grants to eligible non-profit organizations to advance progress in the fields of Human, Environmental, and Talent Sustainability.  For more information, visit: http://www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Global-Citizenship.

About PepsiCo  
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $66 billion in net revenue in 2014, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose—our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth in shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate.

For more information, visit http://www.pepsico.com/

SOURCE PepsiCo Foundation