iccw Story

The International Center for Clean Water

Water is change. It transforms economies. It changes societies. It rejuvenates people. Water is world. The International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW) is realisation of these maxims. It is a dream to ensure clean water for everyone. A dream where the young generation builds careers on water.

Indeed, this is a bold vision. And it takes courage and conviction.
The essence of this vision lies in the realization of a physical structure to house this dream. But how do we make this available for our country?

“Initially, efforts to create such a space for water were met with criticism. There was light at the end of a tunnel when we met with the renowned business icon and eminent banker, Mr Deepak Parekh, on April 19, 2017”, recalls Professor Pradeep, the chief architect of ICCW.

On January 28, 2018, the HT Parekh Foundation granted support to IITM for the setting up of ICCW. The IITM Board of Governors granted permission for the establishment of ICCW as a society. The society was registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies act on June 25, 2018.

ICCW has been fortunate to receive a path-breaking gift from the H T Parekh Foundation, with a potential for transforming India’s Water Story – and the world’s.
The thought of creating a centre for water research, directed towards innovation and social transformation was pursued intensely with several collaborators. Finally the ideal home for setting up ICCW was thought to be the most happening place, the IITM Research Park.
“Much more work is needed to take advanced materials and associated technologies to water and environment in general,” says Pradeep pointing into the future.

ICCW is spread over an area of 21,000 sq ft, with six state-of-the-art laboratories, an incubation hub and pilot production facility.
The collaborative nature and open atmosphere at ICCW provide boundary less access to academic industrial and government agencies to work together towards a common goal of making India and the world, water secure.