List date(s) this work was published or aired.
21-Mar-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
In the developing world, providing safe drinking water remains a major infrastructure and public health challenge. Community water plants are one way to put a dent in the enormous problem. But there is still no ”one size fits all” solution, especially in a country as large and diverse as India.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Reports from Indian government, WHO, UNDP, Unicef, Naandi Foundation, Gates Foundation, Water for People
Explain types of human sources used.
Field visit to community water plant. On site interviews with villagers and regional manager of Naandi. Interview with head of Naandi water project. Email interviews with project manager at Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and head of NGO Water for People.
Results:
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation shared article with colleagues at agencies like the World Bank who were very interested in the model. This might eventually materialize in to a program for them. Article was taught in journalism class at Harvard Summer School by public health journalist on a Nieman Fellowship.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
I am very interested in the intersection between public health and business and kept my ears open for interesting projects. I heard about this water project four years ago and when the opportunity to write about water came up, I remembered this example. Give clear explanations so people in developed countries can understand the gravity of the problem and the potential of the solution. Find good third-party sources who can offer other insights in addition to highlighting one particular model. A visit to the field to see the project in action is ideal.