Advancing Climate-Resilient Water Security in Maharashtra

On 21 August 2025, Maharashtra took a major step towards a more climate-resilient water future. A high-level workshop in Mumbai, led by Frank Water, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department (WSSD), UNICEF India, and ACWADAM, brought together government leaders, experts, and partners to strengthen sustainable water management across the state.

Climate challenges demand collective action

Climate change is already reshaping how people access and manage water in the state of Maharashtra. Droughts, erratic rainfall, groundwater depletion, and recent flooding in the Marathwada region have left communities increasingly vulnerable. Addressing these challenges requires more than short-term fixes; it demands long-term resilience, inclusion, and behaviour change.

Frank Water’s role in driving systems change

Drawing on years of experience in community-led water safety and security planning, Frank Water brought a systems-thinking approach that connects hydrogeology, governance, and community participation. The event also marked the launch of a three-year partnership between Frank Water and WSSD to advance climate-resilient water management across Maharashtra.

Key priorities for climate-resilient water systems

Discussions centred on three strategic priorities:

1. Empowering communities to manage water safely and sustainably.
   
2. Integrating climate data and technical expertise into local planning.
   
3. Strengthening operations and maintenance (O&M) through innovation, skills, and inclusive governance.

Together, these priorities reflect a shift towards a holistic and community-driven approach to water management, one that combines science, local knowledge, and collaboration to ensure that water systems remain reliable, safe, and resilient in the face of climate change.

Speakers emphasised that water access is about security and sustainability as much as supply. They highlighted how community ownership, innovative finance, and effective monitoring can keep water systems functioning even during climate shocks. When women and youth are trained to manage their systems, they become powerful agents of resilience.

Building a climate-resilient, water-secure Maharashtra

The workshop reinforced that climate-resilient WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is essential for public health, education, nutrition, and livelihoods. As one participant said, “Water is the thread that connects every aspect of human wellbeing.”

For Frank Water, this partnership with the Government of Maharashtra is a milestone in its mission to build climate-ready water systems that leave no one behind. By strengthening government systems, sharing global learning, and empowering communities, Frank Water is helping shape a water-secure, sustainable future for all.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment from government, NGOs, civil society, the private sector, and communities to work together towards a climate-resilient, water-secure Maharashtra, proving that when collaboration meets purpose, resilience is possible.