Saudi Arabia signs water and sewerage contracts

The Saudi Arabian Minister of Water and Electricity, Abdullah Al-Hussayen, has signed several contracts for the implementation of water and sewerage projects worth SR312m ($83.2m).

The contracts include the implementation of a 44,000m³ wastewater treatment plant to be constructed in the Sibya Province at a cost of SR139m ($37.07m), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sewer pipelines in the Qasim region will be extended at a cost of SR48.2m ($12.85m), while a water tank and distribution station will be built in the Asir region, costing SR21.1m ($5.63m).

A water project in Tathlith will cost more than SR15.5 million ($4.14m), while replacement of old water networks in Aflaj are expected to be in the area of SR15.3m ($4.08).

Also on the anvil is the completion of a water project in Najran that costs SR13.6m ($3.63) and operation and maintenance of a water project in Jouf, which will cost SR11.2m ($2.96).

Some of the smaller projects include the replacement of old water distribution lines in Muzahmiyyah town, the implementation of a water project in in Shororah and Kharkhair and a wastewater removal project in Hail town.

The National Water Company has meanwhile announced plans to supply more than 15 million cubic metres of water to meet the demands of pilgrims and visitors expected in the month of Ramadan.

National Water Company director for Makkah and Taif Abdullah Hasnain is said: "The plans to ensure a steady water supply for Ramadan include bringing water from the Shoaibah Desalination Plant at the rate of 520,000 cubic metres daily."