In the villages of Odisha, water once meant long walks under a harsh sun, heavy pots balanced on tired shoulders, and the constant worry of illness from unsafe sources. Today, for 28,000 families across the state, that reality has changed – thanks to Spring Health India, a social enterprise redefining what access to safe water means.
Founded on January 11, 2010 and led by Mr. Jacob Mathew, Audrey Selian, and Sandeep Roy Chaudhary, Spring Health has built a profitable, purpose-driven model that now operates 273 water kiosks. The mission is simple yet profound – deliver clean, affordable water directly to rural households, powered by green technology and local entrepreneurship.
The Turning Point
At 57, Sandeep Roy Chaudhary still recalls the moment that set him on this path. Inspired by the late Dr. Paul Polak and Chairman Jacob Mathew, he stepped away from a corporate career to tackle one of rural India’s most urgent challenges. It wasn’t an instant decision – it took a year of thought and conviction before he said yes. “Once I committed,” he says, “there was no looking back.”
A Model Built for Impact
Spring Health’s innovation lies in its Chlorine Dioxide purification system powered entirely by solar energy. It’s non-RO technology, meaning there’s zero water wastage and no depletion of groundwater. Just safe, potable water – delivered to the doorstep. For rural women, that means no more hours spent fetching water, and for families, it means fewer illnesses and more time for work, school, and life.
The ripple effects go far beyond hydration:
- Rural employment, with 33% of kiosks run by women
- Climate action, avoiding CO₂ emissions and generating 30,000 tonnes of Carbon Credits annually
- Economic empowerment, with each kiosk an additional income source for local entrepreneurs
Overcoming the Valleys
The road was never smooth. There were months when staff went without salaries – Sandeep himself for more than two years. Investors hesitated, questioning the returns. Villages resisted paying for something they’d always sourced for free. But perseverance, patience, and belief in the mission carried them forward.
Why Spring Health Stands Out
From day one, the enterprise has embraced a model few in the water sector follow:
- Eco-friendly purification equal in quality to RO without the environmental cost
- Doorstep delivery making safe water aspirational
- An entrepreneur-led approach ensuring shared benefits
- Gold Standard Certification for its environmental and social contributions
Looking Ahead
With over 600,000 Indian villages still lacking safe drinking water, the potential is vast. For Sandeep, the vision is clear – scale the model across India and bring it to global regions facing the same challenge.
Recognition
- 50 Most Impactful Leaders in Water Management, World Water Leadership Congress (2017)
- Top 10 Innovative Start-ups in Water Technology 2025, CIO Tech Outlook
Message to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
“The first 100K in funding is the hardest. But if you persist, the momentum will come. The road is tough – but the lives you change make every challenge worthwhile.”
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