AS Saudi Arabia plans to raise its water reuse rate to reach more than 65% by 2020 and even exceed the 90% by 2040, by means of converting the wastewater treatment facilities into main water sources at all sectors, global companies in cooperation with governmental bodies have already started to introduce a range of innovative solutions and new technologies particularly intended for recycling wastewater in the Kingdom. The step was taken in an attempt to reduce the negative implications inflected upon the environment as well as to curb depletion of the natural water resources. Actually, Saudi Arabia had not only achieved significant progress in the field of water recycling so as to support the basic and chemical industries, but had also allocated about $66 billion for long-term investments in projects intended for the development of water treatment facilities over the next ten years. However, the deficit in currently available water is still notably huge which normally requires exertion of more efforts in expansion of water desalination plants in addition to introduction of new solutions and technologies for optimal and more efficient usage of water resources; thus eventually guaranteeing a better life-standard along with the provision of sufficient quantities of water in the future. On the sidelines of District Cooling Arabia Summit held recently in Riyadh entitled "Innovative Cooling Technology in Saudi Arabia", Veolia Water Technologies Saudi Arabia – a subsidiary of French giant Veolia specialized in water projects – announced supporting the Saudi government efforts in this field as it has so far executed hundreds of water treatment plants in the local market. According to Dr Badr Ghawji, Managing Director of Veolia Water Technologies Saudi Arabia, some of the company's most prominent projects are represented in supplying Asir District with the company designed Actiflo units which adopt the latest technology used in the treatment of dam water. That's in addition to the construction of two reverse osmosis desalination plants, one for the purpose of supplying the residents of Alghat district with clean potable water while the other was constructed in Alzahran district in favor of ARAMCO. Also, the company operated one other reverse osmosis plant in North Buraidah, again supplying residents of the named district with clean potable water. Within the same context, Veolia designed and supplied modern technological units and reverse osmosis plants to a range of Saudi cities. The projects have collectively participated in the daily treatment of thousands of cubic meters of water. Dr. Ghawji further explained that all indicators confirm that the Saudi market is yet rich with ample growth factors, especially in the field of water treatment plants. In further reference, he highlighted that Veolia has a broad range of solutions and technologies particularly innovated for the purpose of offering better support to the public sector as well as private companies and industrial enterprises. He believes that the kingdom water resources are not only limited but are also in continuous depletion given the steady growth which Saudi Arabia is currently witnessing in all fields. This in other words means an increase in the demand for water regardless of the Kingdom's limited water resources whether represented in the nonrenewable underground water or sea desalinated water which is generally confined by place and high cost. He noted that recycled water can definitely be used in several fields that include but aren't limited to the industrial and residential fields, cooling towers, agriculture, energy and reinjection wells. Moreover, Dr. Ghawji stressed that Veolia offers its industrial and private sector customers a full range of integrated services necessary for the design, construction and improvement of water and wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, the company adopts the most up-to-date technologies exploited in the field of water treatment like for instance the Actiflo process which is characterized by its optimal ability to treat and purify water and wastewater. That's besides the ultra-filtering ceramic membrane capable of removing any fine solids, achieving record results in terms of water treatment and curbing the waste along with many other very beneficial solutions. The two-day summit had discussed two main issues, namely: the efficient use of power and water conservation. However, the summit discussions extended to include other miscellanies fields including the government role in pushing forward the development of district cooling systems in the Kingdom in addition to setting the district cooling rules and regulations applicable in the local market.
