Anand Mahindra has praised Odisha's coastal city of Puri for achieving something that remains rare in India, a public water system trusted enough for residents to drink directly from the tap.Sharing a video on X, Mahindra described Puri's transformation as a powerful example of what can happen when political leadership, administrative execution and community participation work together.Read more: Anand Mahindra reveals hidden travel spot in Tamil Nadu that's like 'Munnar 30 years ago'"One of the great ironies of India is that we worship our rivers, yet rarely trust the water that flows into our homes," Mahindra wrote."Which is why Puri's transformation fascinated me. An entire city where people can apparently drink straight from the tap."— anandmahindra (@anandmahindra) How Puri Became India's Tap Water Success StoryAccording to the video shared by Mahindra, Puri has become one of the few cities in India where residents can reportedly drink tap water without boiling, filtering or purchasing bottled water.Read more: Anand Mahindra left 'jaw dropped' by R Praggnanandhaa's win in Norway ChessThe video states that nearly a decade ago, the city faced challenges similar to many urban centres across the country. Only around half of households had access to piped water, while many residents relied on water tankers or bottled water.The system also struggled with significant losses, as water leaked through ageing and damaged pipelines. Uneven supply and concerns about contamination further reduced public confidence.Odisha Government's Water Infrastructure OverhaulTo address these issues, Odisha launched a major upgrade of the city's water infrastructure.The project reportedly included the laying of thousands of kilometres of pipelines and the development of a 24-hour smart water distribution network.Read more: Anand Mahindra is impressed with this kid in NainitalThe system uses technology-driven monitoring, with sensors tracking water flow, pressure and chlorine levels at regular intervals. Water sourced from the Bhargavi River is treated, filtered and monitored before reaching consumers.The aim was not only to improve water quality but also to restore public trust in the system.What Role Did Jal Sathis Play in Puri's Transformation?A key feature of the initiative has been the involvement of local women known as Jal Sathis.These women act as community-level ambassadors for water quality and public awareness. They regularly visit households, help residents understand the system and conduct water quality checks.Mahindra highlighted their contribution in his post."A key part of the story is the role played by the 'Jal Sathis', local women who became guardians of the city's water quality and helped build public trust in the system," he wrote.Their participation helped bridge the gap between infrastructure improvements and community confidence.Safe Drinking Water in Puri: Building Trust One Household at a TimeOfficials reportedly carried out extensive outreach efforts, visiting homes and encouraging residents to embrace the upgraded water network.The video suggests that these efforts, combined with consistent water quality monitoring, played a major role in changing public perceptions.As confidence in the system increased, more residents began using tap water directly for drinking purposes.The initiative also included the installation of public drinking water points, including facilities along routes used by visitors travelling to the Jagannath Temple.Reduced Water Loss and Less Plastic WasteThe project's benefits extend beyond drinking water quality.According to the video, water losses through leakage have declined significantly compared to previous levels. Reduced dependence on bottled water has also reportedly led to a drop in plastic waste generation.The transformation is being cited as an example of how improvements in basic civic services can have wider environmental and social benefits.Anand Mahindra's Message on Good GovernanceMahindra concluded his post by emphasising the importance of effective governance and citizen participation."My #MondayMotivation this week comes from leaders and participative citizens who proved that governance can genuinely improve the quality of everyday life," he wrote.His comments resonated with many social media users, who praised the initiative and called for similar projects in other cities across India.Why Puri's Water Model Is Drawing National AttentionThe Puri water story has attracted attention because it addresses a challenge faced by millions of Indians, trust in tap water.While infrastructure projects often focus on physical assets, Puri's experience highlights the importance of community engagement, transparency and regular quality monitoring.The city's journey demonstrates how investments in public services, combined with citizen participation, can improve both infrastructure and public confidence.Whether other cities can replicate the model remains to be seen, but Puri's experience is increasingly being viewed as a case study in urban water management and public trust.