Brewer backs safe water across Ganges River Basin

Close-up hands, with red bangles on bare arms, collect water in stainless steel container under metal tap, with red dress out of focus behind.

Enabling access to 247 million litres of water, one of the largest brewing groups in the world is partnering with a global nonprofit in a bid to reach more than 112,000 people across the Ganges River Basin, in India.

Carlsberg Group is working with Water.org to improve access to safe water and sanitation in communities throughout the River Basin, including the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The collaboration will help to reinforce the commitment made by Carlsberg to show responsible water stewardship by investing in sustainable, measurable solutions that empower local communities.

More broadly, it also aligns with the aims of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).

Microfinance for affordable improvements

Indian female, smiling to camera in traditional blue sari, behind large stone well, collects water in orange pot from plastic pipe in foreground.

With a track record of positive impact in India that spans decades, Water.org helps the country tackle its ongoing water and sanitation crisis by making access affordable. Through its WaterCredit initiative, launched in India in 2004, the organisation partners with microfinance institutions, banks, and government programmes to provide small, affordable loans for water and sanitation improvements to families in need.

This has enabled access to safe water or sanitation for over 30 million people. Water.org continues to develop financial solutions at household and community levels, supporting India’s goal of tap water for all.

As of February 1, 2025, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) introduced in 2019 by the national government has provided tap water connections to 12.20 crore additional rural households (where crore denotes ten million). This brings total reach to over 15.44 crore households, or 79.74% of all rural households in India.

Replenishment via strategic partnerships

Indian female, smiling to camera in traditional light green sari, squats to collect water in orange pot from plastic pipe tap in left of shot.

Through the new partnership agreement, Carlsberg Group and Water.org will enable access to 247 million litres of water in the Ganges River Basin. The aim is to provide safe water and sanitation solutions to more than 112,000 people by March 2028. In addition to providing access to safer water, the joint initiative will engage communities in awareness efforts to drive long-term behaviour change and local impact.

With water resources a priority, Carlsberg operates at an efficiency level of 2.5 hl/hl. For consumption, this ratio means that for every hectolitre (hl) of product (beer), 2.5hl of water gets used in production.

To extend its positive impact beyond brewery operations, Carlsberg focuses on strategic partnerships. Joint initiatives like the one with Water.org form an essential step towards the company’s goal of replenishing 100% of water consumed at its breweries and beverage production sites in high-water risk areas by 2030.

Resource stewardship is vital, says Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, VP Sustainability, Carlsberg Group:

“Water is the foundation of thriving communities and resilient ecosystems. As a large consumer of water, we have a responsibility to contribute to water replenishment, including access to safe water and sanitation.

“Our new partnership with Water.org addresses urgent water needs in the Ganges River Basin, while promoting dignity, opportunity, and long-term impact. By enabling access to safe water for over 112,000 people, this partnership aims to help communities unlock better health and economic stability,”

Support must be both practical and scalable, concludes Gary White, CEO and Co-founder, Water.org:

“Safe water is the foundation of health, opportunity, and progress. Through this partnership, Carlsberg joins a broader movement of partners committed to scaling solutions that work. Together, we’re helping more families in India secure access to safe water and the transformative possibilities that come with it.”

Health, resilience and equity

Indian female, in traditional light green sari, uses old metal hand pump to collect water from large standpipe in front of low rustic brick wall.

For sustainability, there is more to water than just drinking. Water access drives measurable improvements in health, household resilience, and gender equity. This partnership will help create lasting impact across the Ganges River Basin, ensuring that local communities can thrive, even in the face of climate challenges.

Established in 1847 by brewer J C Jacobsen, the Carlsberg Group is one of the leading brewery groups in the world, with an extensive portfolio of beer and other beverage brands. With over 37,000 employees, and a presence in more than 150 markets, the Group has a purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow.

Active for over 30 years, Water.org is a global nonprofit organisation that has positively transformed more than 79 million lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White, and Hollywood actor Matt Damon, it pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis.

Further Reading: