Drinking water from the tap as a true measure for development

In an op-ed published in the Hindustan Times, OHT’s Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan argues that rising incomes without reliable, potable piped water only push societies toward private, unequal, and unsustainable fixes—bottled water, filters, tankers, and plastic waste. Drawing lessons from India and Mexico, he shows why safe tap water is one of the most important public health interventions, with impacts greater than many medical breakthroughs.

For those working at the intersection of global health, development, and environmental sustainability, this piece is a reminder that progress should be measured by the quality of everyday life—not just economic statistics.

Read it here.