PepsiCo India replenishes 1.48 billion litres water, highlights on-ground impact push

Marking World Water Day, PepsiCo India announced that it replenished 1.48 billion litres of water in 2025, underlining its continued focus on water stewardship and sustainable resource management. Alongside the announcement, the company released a film showcasing its ‘Jal Jeevan Melas’, aimed at bringing its community-led water initiatives to life.

The update is part of PepsiCo India’s broader ‘Partnership of Progress’ framework, which focuses on three key areas: improving water-use efficiency, replenishing local water resources, and expanding access to safe water. These efforts are executed through its Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) program, along with Safe Water Access and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) initiatives.

The SWRDM program follows a watershed-based, science-led approach to groundwater recharge, with interventions across Channo in Punjab, Pune in Maharashtra, and the Kosi region in Uttar Pradesh. Through geo-hydrological planning and the development of rainwater harvesting structures, the company aims to improve long-term water availability while supporting local agriculture and ecosystems.

According to the company, these initiatives have positively impacted over 89,000 people by improving access to water, enabling sustainable farming practices, and strengthening climate resilience. Community-level interventions include self-help group (SHG) formation, drought mitigation programs, and support for more efficient agricultural methods.

In parallel, PepsiCo India is scaling its safe water and sanitation initiatives in partnership with Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial FORCE Trust. Building on its work in Mathura, where water access and sanitation infrastructure have already been implemented across multiple villages, the program is now being expanded to cover 100,000 residents across 30 villages.

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, said, “Water stewardship is central to how we approach sustainability, focused on using less, reusing more, and replenishing what we use. In 2025, we replenished 1.4 billion litres of water, recharging groundwater across key locations such as Channo, Kosi, and Pune, and positively impacting over 89,000 people.”

For brands, this reflects a continued shift where sustainability is no longer limited to internal operations but is being positioned as a visible, measurable impact area. Announcements around metrics like water replenishment are increasingly becoming part of brand storytelling, especially in sectors like FMCG where environmental scrutiny is high.

For consumers and communities, the relevance is more direct. Water access, sanitation and agricultural stability remain critical issues across many regions in India. Programs that combine infrastructure with local participation—such as watershed management and SHG-led initiatives—tend to create longer-term impact compared to one-time interventions.

From a communication standpoint, PepsiCo India’s approach combines data-backed reporting with on-ground storytelling through initiatives like Jal Jeevan Melas. This dual strategy helps bridge the gap between corporate sustainability claims and visible community outcomes.

As climate concerns and resource pressures grow, water stewardship is emerging as a key area of focus for large corporations operating in India. PepsiCo India’s latest update signals continued investment in this space, with an emphasis on partnerships, local engagement, and scalable impact.