The International Water Association and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board sign Memorandum of Understanding for greater collaboration in India, with a focus on capacity development in the sector towards the goal of realizing water-wise cities.

Recognizing the catalytic value of promoting positive change in service provision through training and education of water professionals, and encouraging knowledge development and research, IWA and CMWSSB have initiated discussions towards organizing conferences, hackathons and regular workshops/lectures involving the professionals in CMWSSB and research ecosystem centred around water and sanitation.

To strengthen the institutional collaboration with IWA, CMWSSB has initiated steps towards becoming a Corporate Institutional Member of IWA, which will be facilitated by the IWA India Regional Office. Mr. T. N. Hariharan, Managing Director of CMWSSB and Dr. T. Prabhushankar, Executive Director of CWMSSB, stated:

“CMWSSB and IWA share a common objective towards the goal of realizing climate resilient water-wise cities and the need for continuously building professional capacity in the Utility Boards for achieving it.

We recognize the catalytic value of promoting positive change in service provision through training and education of water professionals, and encouraging knowledge development and research. With this engagement continues to be a pioneer in the country, in this sector.”

These discussions which were led by the team from CMWSSB, Managing Director Mr. T. N. Hariharan I.A.S., Executive Director Dr. T. Prabhushankar I.A.S., and Executive Engineer Mr. M.R. Jaishankar with Prof. Kalanithy Vairavamoorthy, Executive Director of IWA, Mr. Charles P Joseph, Head – IWA India Operations and Mr. Jeyannathann Karunanithi, IWA India Operations Manager, allowed the scoping of the nature of collaboration to include efforts to involve young engineers from CMWSSB to be engaged via Young Water Professionals Program.

The MoU signed on 9^th January between IWA and CMWSSB marks a new phase in the mode of engagement of IWA with Indian Public Utilities. It is to be noted that CMWSSB is the first Indian public utility to sign a MoU with IWA that places focus on capacity development.

About the International Water Association

The International Water Association is the largest international network of water professionals working towards a water-wise world. With members in more than 130 countries and over 70 years of heritage, the association focuses on developing solutions for water and wastewater management.

As a knowledge hub for the latest science, technology and best practice in the water sector at large, the IWA works to place sustainable water management on the global political agenda and to influence best practice in regulation and policymaking.

The IWA is a global water association that brings together water professionals to close the gap between sciences and practice to provide solutions to the water challenges the world is facing.

www.iwa-network.org

About Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board 

Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) which was formed by an Act called Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1978, to attend to the growing needs of water supply and sewerage services in the Chennai Metropolitan area with particular reference to the protection of public health and for all matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

CMWSSB stands committed to making a positive contribution to improve the Chennai City environment and to enhance the health and quality of life for the citizens in Chennai City by providing them with adequate supply of safe and good quality water, by collection, treatment and safe disposal of sewage at a reasonable price, and by providing customer service is prompt and courteous manner.