Waternet International signs MoU with Tata Trusts for safe water and sanitation in India

Amsterdam-based foundation Waternet International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Trusts India for a long term cooperation to improve the access to safe water and sanitation in densely populated India.

The signing ceremony took place in Mumbai, India on 27 March. The document was signed by assistant director Kees van der Lugt of Waternet International and secretary and chief accountant, B.S. Taraporevala of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. The signing was joined by the mayor of Amsterdam Mr. Eberhard van der Laan.

Waternet International participates in a business delegation of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area.

Water cycle management approach
Urban development, more specifically the development of smart and sustainable cities, was an important topic during the visit of the Amsterdam delegation. Because of its operational experience with the Water Cycle Management approach in Amsterdam, Waternet International is able to contribute to this topic.

The Tata Trusts are a number of philanthropic trusts founded by the Indian Multinational Tata group. One of the activities of Tata Trusts is the ‘Tata Water Mission initiative’. With this initiative Tata Trusts aims at creating a healthy future for rural communities by providing safe and improved drinking water and environmental sanitation.

Two coastal projects
Waternet International will start with two small projects in the coastal area of Gujarat. In this area communities struggle with salinization of their resources for drinking water and agricultural water-use.

Firstly Waternet International will advise on possible improvements in the operation of the waste water treatment plant in Kadinar, Gujarat. This includes training of water operator staff and development of instruction manuals for operation by the communities.

Secondly it will share knowledge to prevent further salinization of the coastal area of Gujarat. A stepping stone towards the preservation of drinking water and water for agricultural use for the whole coastal area. This is one of the main ambitions of the Tata Water Mission initiative.

More information
Waternet International
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
+31 20 608 62 89
www.worldwaternet.com