FCC Aqualia is the successful bidder of the contract comprising the operation and maintenance of the two largest wastewater treatment plants in Makkah, in consortium with the local company Alkhorayef Water and Power Company. The wastewater treatment plants in Hadda and Arana treat an average water flow of 250,000 m3 and a have a maximum capacity to treat 375,000 m3. The contract will run for three years and has a business portfolio of € 20 million. Makkah has a stable population of 1.5 million people, which becomes considerably higher due to pilgrim visits. It is estimated that around 13 million annual visits occur each year and that the maximum sporadic influx throughout the month of Ramadan is between 4 and 5 million people. This situation creates significant variations in the water flow from the source to the treatment plants. With this new contract, the third since the subsidiary began in Riyadh in 2011, FCC Aqualia becomes firmly established in the Middle East and more specifically in Saudi Arabia. The consortium will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of treatment facilities and units, including workshops, laboratories, electrical installations, service road status, security systems, supply, sanitation and drainage projects within the facilities, environmental maintenance of the facilities, laboratory team and conducting analyses. This project falls within the framework of the program carried out by Saudi Arabian authorities which aims to transform and modernize the country's water cycle management. In this context, the Saudi state water company, National Water Company (NWC), is significantly improving the operation and performance of the sector via the incorporation of international companies that are specialized in operation and maintenance. — SG
