The ‘Jivamritam’project of Mata Amritanandamayi Math has been successfully deployed at 9 Karayogams in Alappad, Kollam district, Kerala, benefitting approximately 22000 people in the area. These 9 systems were commissioned by Shri. K. T. Jaleel, Minister for Local Administration, Government of Kerala, on January 3, 2018, at Kuzhithira Sri Krishna Swami Temple Auditorium, in the presence of community leaders and local community. This Rs. 100 crore clean water initiative for rural India, was launched by Honourable President of India, Ram Nath Kovind at Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri, Kollam, on October 8, 2017.

The initial phase of the project, which aims to install ‘Jivamritam’ filtration systems for clean drinking water in 5,000 villages throughout the nation, is being completely funded by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Each ‘Jivamritam’ system can filter the daily drinking-water needs of up to 400 to 500 five-member families, potentially providing safe and clean drinking water to one crore villagers. The ‘Jivamritam’ system was conceptualized and designed by faculty members and students of the five campuses of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. The Math intends to deploy all 5,000 ‘Jivamritam’ systems within one year, provided there are timely permissions from local administrations.

According to WaterAid India, approximately 7.6 crore people [76 million] in India lack access to clean drinking water, and more than 60,000 children, five and under, die each year in India from diarrheal diseases caused by drinking impure water and poor sanitation. According to UNICEF India, 67% of Indian households do not treat their drinking water, even though it could be contaminated with harmful bacteria and chemicals.

“The ‘Jivamritam’ system avails of a dual sand-and-activated-carbon filter to remove suspended particles and turbidity, followed by micron filters of five-micron and one-micron filtration. Each system also includes an ultraviolet water-purifier to remove pathogenic contamination, and two storage tanks —2,000-litre-inlet and a 1,000-litre outlet — to keep treated and untreated water separate. The filtered-water tanks are integrated with taps to provide drinking water at the location of the system,” explained Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, the ‘Jivamritam’ project head from Amrita. She also added that the ‘Jivamritam’ system would be modular: “The water available in every village is different, and some may have different needs. This is the first module, with variations to come as needed.”