13 villages Benefitting from Annual Water Harvesting Capacity of 2.02 Crore Litres
New Community RO Facility inaugurated in Mehrana, Mathura, marking World Water Day, by Hon’ble Cabinet Minister and MLA, Shree Chaudhary Laxmi Narayan Singh, the Government of UP
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh – March 21, 2025: PepsiCo India, through the PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with the FORCE Trust, is driving long-term water security and sanitation impact across 13 villages in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, under its broader Water and WASH program. The initiative focuses on providing sustainable access to safe water, sanitation, and solid waste solutions. As part of this commitment, a 1000-litre-per-hour Community RO facility was inaugurated in Mehrana, Nandgaon Block, Mathura, marking a significant step toward strengthening local water security on World Water Day. Aligned with PepsiCo India’s ‘Partnership of Progress’ philosophy, the initiative underscores the company’s contribution to fostering sustainable, community-driven solutions that strengthen water security, enhance public health, and build water resilience.
Distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Shree Chaudhary Laxmi Narayan Singh, Cabinet Minister and MLA, Government of UP, graced the occasion. The event also saw participation from Jyoti Sharma, Founder & President, FORCE Trust, and members of the PepsiCo India team. A key highlight of the event was the celebration of community leaders who have been instrumental in driving water security and hygiene awareness at the grassroots level. Individuals were recognized for their efforts in championing water conservation and promoting safe water practices and sanitation, inspiring their communities to adopt sustainable habits.
The PepsiCo Foundation’s Water and WASH initiative has significantly strengthened water security and sanitation in Mathura, positively impacting over 50,000 residents across 13 villages. The key impact areas of the initiative include:
- Creation of an annual water harvesting capacity of 2.02 crore litres.
- Enhanced groundwater access through the construction of six new wells and the restoration of one well.
- Installation of drinking water points in 11 schools, benefiting over 3,200 children and contributing to improved school attendance.
- Installation of 500 rain barrels—known as ‘Paani ki Gullak’ (Varsha Drums)—in homes across five villages, with another 500 in progress, helping reduce dependency on groundwater.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, Shree Chaudhary Laxmi Narayan Singh, Cabinet Minister and MLA, Government of UP, stated, “PepsiCo India has exemplified how purpose-driven, social impact initiatives can make a lasting impact on community development. The company's efforts in enabling safe water access complement the government’s efforts for water distribution for the collective progress of local communities. This project has empowered the villagers to become self-reliant in rainwater harvesting and replenishing natural resources.”
Urging the villagers to take ownership, he added, “I encourage the community members to sustain these efforts, take responsibility for the newly installed RO facility, by working collectively towards the continued development and well-being of the village.”
C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo Inc. said, “Access to safe water is an issue far too many communities around the world face. We uphold the principles that water is life and sanitation is dignity, and we believe that all communities should have access to safe water. By investing in sustainable water initiatives, we’re working to help increase availability and improve quality to make water more affordable, reliable. The PepsiCo Foundation is proud to support the Water and WASH program as we work together to make a positive impact on communities throughout the Mathura district.”
Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia said, “At PepsiCo India, we believe that true progress is built on collective action. We are working hand-in-hand with communities to develop scalable water solutions that have a lasting impact. The inauguration of the Community RO facility in Mehrana is a step toward this vision—ensuring safe drinking water for families while fostering resilience at the grassroots level. What makes this initiative truly special is the way community members are actively investing in and managing their own water resources, making it a true Partnership of Progress while securing a more sustainable future for all. This World Water Day, we reaffirm our aim to strengthen communities through responsible water stewardship.”
Jyoti Sharma, Founder & President, FORCE, said, “Access to clean water is a basic right, and community-driven solutions are key to ensuring long-term water security. Our partnership with PepsiCo India is not just about providing infrastructure—it is about enabling local leadership, creating awareness, and fostering behavioral shifts. Young children and adults alike are stepping up as ‘guardians’ and ‘sewaks’ of water conservation, leading by example and inspiring others to take action. Through this, we are not only improving sanitation and public health but also nurturing self-sustaining, water-resilient communities.”
Bagjeet Singh, Village Pradhan of Mehrana, shared, "Many villagers were leaving the area due to the lack of drinking water. We had to spend a lot of money every month to arrange drinking water through water tankers. The transformation driven by PepsiCo Foundation and FORCE Trust in partnership with our community, has brought a lot of joy for the villages nearby."
The Kosi Kalan region of Mathura has long faced water scarcity and poor sanitation due to high salinity in groundwater, posing serious health and hygiene risks. To address this, PepsiCo Foundation, in partnership with FORCE Trust, has focused on water infrastructure development, community engagement, and behavioural change programs. Beyond water security, the initiative promotes women’s empowerment and economic independence through training programs in income-generating activities such as envelope making and vermicomposting. It also champions menstrual hygiene awareness, challenging social taboos around women’s health.
Through these initiatives PepsiCo India continues to drive change, empowering communities with sustainable solutions that enhance water security, improve livelihoods, and foster long-term resilience.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
About The PepsiCo Foundation
The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
For further information, please contact:
Aastha Jindal | aastha.jindal@pepsico.com
Kavita Singh: +91 8505830618 | kavitas@avianwe.com