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Conserving and improving access to clean water is a global challenge.

Water is the lifeblood of our well-being.   All living things require it. It also fuels the world’s agricultural and manufacturing industries.

However, this vital and finite resource is under serious threat.

At Merck, our wide-ranging water strategy is designed to help protect our environment and conserve water resources.

A Global Challenge

In addition to working to achieve sustainable water management within our operations and our supply chain, Merck is committed to fighting disease and to reducing the impact of water-related disease through partnerships, advocacy efforts and employee volunteerism.

Only a small fraction – about one percent – of the world’s water is fresh water available for use.  A growing world population (estimated to increase from 7 billion in 2012 to 9 billion by 2050) is putting our fresh water resources at risk.

In many parts of the world, even where fresh water is abundant, inadequate sanitation facilities and environmental regulations jeopardize water supplies, making them unsafe for drinking, bathing or cooking.  If contaminated water is consumed, life-threatening disease can result.

Improving Access to Clean Water

To support efforts to bring sustainable water solutions to the rural poor in India, The Merck Company Foundation has partnered with the Safe Water Network (SWN).  Four Merck employees recently supported the SWN during a
three-month field engagement in Andhra Pradesh, India. 

By adding a dozen sites to SWN’s existing field projects in Andhra Pradesh – which currently provide nearly 50,000 people with access to clean water – another 20,000-30,000 people now have safe water access.  In addition to supporting these water projects, the Merck volunteers also worked to increase awareness of the importance of clean water and hygiene.

The Merck Company Foundation also has partnered with UN-Habitat, Coca-Cola and New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV) on the innovative "Support My School" campaign. The program aims to improve child health, school attendance and educational attainment by increasing access to clean water and sanitation facilities for school children across India.

And, in Singapore, Merck employees helped clean up the Marina Barrage, a desalinated reservoir that provides 10 percent of Singapore’s water needs.

Read more about Merck's commitment to global water health and conservation.

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