Mumbai's historical fountains are underdoing a restoration project to provide Indians with clean water access while the fight against COVID-19 continues. The century-old public fountains are called "pyaus" in Hindi, and while they are beautifully decorated, much of their available water supply was restricted during Mumbai's 20th-century population explosion.
Erected during the British colonial era, the pyaus is situated in the middle of markets and along tram routes. Activists are working to restore the fountains for public use as access to water remains a constant problem for many Indian residents, now more than ever. Many of Mumbai's poorer residents are forced to pool their money to pay for water from private tanker-trucks. The free water initiative aims to build more less-ornate pyaus' to provide the essential liquid to all.
Historical Mumbai Fountains
A Revamp of Mumbai's Historical Fountains Will Provide Free Water
Trend Themes
1. Historical Fountain Restoration - Efforts to restore historical fountains to provide free water access create opportunities for innovation in water treatment and distribution technologies.
2. Public Water Access Initiatives - Public water access initiatives like the pyaus project highlight the need for efficient and sustainable solutions to ensure adequate access to clean water for all communities.
3. Community-led Restoration Projects - Community-led restoration projects like the pyaus renovation showcase how local initiatives can create positive impact and lead to new business opportunities.
Industry Implications
1. Water Treatment - As historical fountains are restored to provide free water to residents, innovations in water treatment technologies can lead to more sustainable community water sources.
2. Infrastructure and Engineering - The restoration of historical fountains can present opportunities for infrastructure and engineering companies to contribute to community-led restoration and access to clean water initiatives.
3. Socially Responsible Business - Community-led restoration projects pose opportunities for socially responsible businesses to promote new models of corporate social responsibility that prioritize philanthropy and sustainability within local communities.