Environment Ministry Sets New Records In Water Sector Projects And Sustainability Efforts

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has made significant strides in water sector projects, adhering to the National Water Strategy. This strategy has positioned Saudi Arabia as a leader in desalination, with an annual capacity of 4.19 million cubic meters. The ministry manages an extensive network of water transmission pipes, spanning 14,210 kilometers and handling 19.42 million cubic meters daily, showcasing the country's robust water infrastructure.

In 2024, the National Water Company (NWC) completed 36 water service projects at a cost of SAR992 million. These initiatives included installing main lines and networks over 894,000 linear meters. Additionally, they constructed 29 reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 109,500 cubic meters and established a purification station processing 5,000 cubic meters daily.

The Ministry's efforts in water conservation have been noteworthy. Through the National Water Efficiency and Conservation Center (MAEE), they achieved annual water savings exceeding 31 million cubic meters. This was accomplished by implementing best practices in water rationalization across 995 government sites and offering leak detection services to over 21,000 beneficiaries via the "Kashf" application.

Saudi Arabia has set multiple Guinness World Records under its belt due to its ambitious water projects. These include the largest drinking water storage facility in Riyadh with a daily capacity of 4.79 million cubic meters and the largest production facility producing 2.99 million cubic meters daily. The Kingdom also boasts the world's largest mobile desalination plant with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters per day.

The operational arm of the Saudi Water Authority has achieved significant milestones in desalination innovation. They secured a patent for extracting divalent salts using nanofiltration technology for wastewater treatment. Other patents include an automatic control device for sample collection and systems to protect water intakes from marine objects.

During the Hajj season in 2024, NWC pumped over 45 million cubic meters of water through networks exceeding 5,000 kilometers. The pumping rate reached up to 24 hours per day at holy sites and the Grand Mosque. To ensure quality, more than 75,000 laboratory tests were conducted during this period.

Sanitation Services Expansion

In sanitation services, NWC completed 12 projects costing SAR1.2 billion. These projects established lines covering 293,000 linear meters and developed sewage treatment plants processing 52,000 cubic meters daily. Plans are underway to finalize additional projects valued at SAR1.83 billion by the end of 2025.

The Saudi Irrigation Organization exceeded expectations by achieving reuse targets for treated water in agriculture at a rate of 115% during Q3 of 2024. While aiming for an annual reuse target of 181.19 million cubic meters, actual reuse reached an impressive 390 million cubic meters.

Local Content Contribution

The Saudi Water Partnership Company significantly contributed to local content in its projects throughout their contractual periods. Over 60% involvement reflects their commitment to bolstering national economic growth and supporting local capabilities.

NWC plans to complete an additional set of projects worth SAR2.14 billion by 2025's end. In sanitation services alone, they aim to finish another batch valued at SAR1.83 billion within this timeframe.

The Kingdom's achievements extend beyond records; it also boasts low energy consumption in desalination plants at just 2,271 kWh per cubic meter—demonstrating efficiency alongside scale.

With inputs from SPA