India Water Tool, a software application, was launched Tuesday to help companies better assess their water risks and manage it more efficiently.
Developed by a group of 14 Indian companies in coordination with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), India Water Tool is a free IT-based resource integrating groundwater data from across the country.
Any company operating in India can use the tool to input its location and water-use data, and it will automatically generate maps and charts displaying which of the company's operations face the biggest groundwater availability and quality risks.
"India will be able to meet its water needs if it adopts a science-based approach to managing its water resources," said Sushil Gupta, chairman of the Central Ground Water Board.
The tool has not been tailored for any specific sector but can help small and large companies across India to understand their water priorities and inform their water management decisions.
The software was developed by IT major Infosys.
"Water can only be well managed if stakeholders from across sectors take leadership and responsibility, and if water data is collected, maintained and publicly available. India Water Tool provides an opportunity to do exactly the same," said Joppe Cramwinckel, who leads the WBCSD water project.