India could learn a thing or two from Israel when it comes to supplying municipal water to meet ever-rising demands. “Manufactured water” is probably the ideal solution, says Mo Provizor, director of the Israeli Water Authority.

Speaking to The Indian Express on the sidelines of WATECH 2008, an international conference on industrial and urban water management technologies, he said Israel currently meets about 25 per cent of its water needs with recycled sewage water and desalinated seawater and brackish water; it has hopes of upping the number to 50 per cent by 2013.

According to Provizor, it is feasible for India to use manufactured water to meet its demands at reasonable costs as well. “Desalination of seawater is not the only way to do this,” he said, adding that Israel also uses a system that recycles wastewater after desalination.

“The recycled water can be used to replenish nearby aquifers on a regular basis. Later, this water can be pumped up to supply potable water to cities,” he said, adding that this method is especially useful for landlocked places.

Citing the example of Israel, which is planning to set up three new desalination plants by private parties on a BOT basis, he said that extensive private participation would be essential to make a success out of a large-scale water manufacturing project.

However, he added that to make such a venture successful, the government should agree to share unforeseen costs.