In a significant development in cutting-edge water management technologies, India and Israel have given a big thrust to their collaboration in the area of water and inaugurated a new Center of Water Technology (CoWT) at IIT Madras. The partnership was finalized in a joint statement on Tuesday in the signature of the first foray either nation has made into said critical area.
The tripartite agreement for this was signed among the Embassy of Israel in India, IIT Madras, and AMRUT under the aegis of India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The new center will serve as a technological center for innovation, with research work and capability building in water technologies on the agenda. It will focus largely on pioneering urban water supply and management solutions.
Israel, with its global standing for Integrated Water Resources Management, will contribute significant experience and technology to the Consortium. Its participation will further assert, as a vital strategic partner, its preparedness ensuring the development of water management capacities throughout the world.
As a premiere of the initiative, a capacity-building course on the subject matter “24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas” was organized from August 5-8, 2024, by IIT Madras. The course will be part of the larger agenda, equipping professionals with new state-of-the-art skills and knowledge to handle issues concerning water with greater effectiveness.
As Ambassador of Israel to India Naor Gilon rightly put it, “The establishment of the Centre of Water Technology in IIT Madras reflects our joint will to address current issues in water shortage and water management. We look forward to this collaboration driving innovative solutions that will have a meaningful influence on millions of people in India.”
The Embassy of Israel promised that the new center would be developed in a way that truly propels cooperation in water technology and management forward with this country. CoWT will further be expected to play a supportive role in meeting the aspirations of New Delhi towards a sustainable water supply system.
The Center will work to create an exchange platform for technologies, scientific research, and best practices of mutual interest for the two countries. It will also conduct discussion and consultation at the expert level on issues related to the management of drinking water and sewerage. Key areas of interest for the general integrated water resource management, in principle, include urban water supply, water, or sewage recycling, IoT solutions, online monitoring systems, water harvesting techniques, and smart data management, while AI applications will generally be applied.
The aim is to bring out and establish specific projects in these areas under both governments and, towards this, demonstrate the world’s most innovative technologies of today. Well, for the governments to cooperate, this would be their rapid contribution of the best practices on water management and sustainability in line with their water future in India.
ANI
