Eureka Forbes has initiated an innovative nationwide campaign by setting up over 100 unique water testing labs, known as ‘Paani Ka Doctor Clinics’, in over 25 cities across India. The company plans to introduce over 200 more clinics across 150 towns and cities by 2016. These health zones will allow consumers to get a first-hand experience in testing their water quality and understanding appropriate purification technologies best suited for their households.

India is facing an acute water crisis presently, with water contamination and water scarcity fast becoming the country’s number one woe. Contamination of drinking water has been identified as a critical public health issue by the World Health Organisation (WHO), causing more than 80 per cent of all diseases. Due to intake of unhygienic and infected food and water,   gastroenteritis, typhoid, malaria, dengue and hepatitis are on the rise.

To understand the impact of water contamination and key issues with drinking water in India, Eureka Forbes Institute of Environment examined water samples in Bengaluru. The findings revealed the TDS (Total Dissolved Salts) levels to be varying between 377-921 mg/l, which stands beyond permissible levels. It also revealed presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water. While coliform in drinking water may not necessarily make one ill, but it increases the chances of presence of other disease-causing organisms in water, which could be exceedingly fatal in nature.

To address this grave issue, Eureka Forbes has introduced exclusive health zones, to allow people to test their water quality and apprehend its health quotient. While most people understand the importance of drinking safe and pure water, lack of awareness about the right purification method often leads to health problems. For instance, RO is meant to remove certain heavy metals and contaminants which are found in ‘few’ locations, not all. Moreover, if one uses RO water purification in areas where it is not required, then it leads not only to ‘demineralised water’ but also adds to water wastage because to purify every 1 glass of drinking water, RO wastes 7-8 glasses.

Eureka Forbes’ certified in-house water specialists and experts stationed at these clinics will examine the water and provide beneficial inputs, and determine suitable products for customers. Moreover, these specialists will showcase the first-of-its kind seven-step process designed to check the water quality through an interactive mobile application.

According to Marzin R. Shroff, CEO-direct sales and senior VP, marketing, Eureka Forbes Limited, “Paani Ka Doctor Clinics will not only allow us to serve our customers better, but also help us build stronger bonds and make our valued consumers.”