India and Israel to launch water technology center at IIT Madras

India and Israel announced the establishment of a Center of Water Technology (CoWT) at IIT Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, through a joint statement. The tripartite agreement involves the Embassy of Israel, IIT Madras, and the AMRUT mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, underscoring a mutual commitment to tackling critical water management challenges in India.

The Center of Water Technology is set to become a leading hub for innovation, research, and capacity-building in water technologies. Its primary focus will be on developing sustainable solutions for urban water supply systems. Israel, renowned for its expertise in Integrated Water Resources Management, will bring its extensive experience to this collaborative effort.

To launch this initiative, a capacity-building course titled “24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas” was held at IIT Madras from August 5 to 8, 2024. Israeli Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, expressed that this partnership highlights the strong collaboration between India and Israel in addressing water scarcity and management issues. Gilon emphasized that the establishment of the CoWT reflects a deep commitment to finding innovative solutions that will benefit millions of people in India.

The Embassy of Israel reiterated its dedication to advancing water technology and management. The new center is expected to play a significant role in India’s efforts to ensure a sustainable water supply. It will focus on the exchange of technology, scientific information, and literature, and facilitate discussions and consultations with experts from both countries. The goal is to address challenges in drinking water and sewerage management while exploring new areas for intervention.

Both governments plan to jointly identify specific projects related to integrated water resources management. These projects will cover various aspects, including urban water supply, non-revenue water, water and sewage recycling, IoT solutions and online monitoring, water harvesting, smart data management, and AI applications. The CoWT aims to showcase the most advanced technologies in these fields, demonstrating a commitment to cutting-edge solutions for water management challenges.