RIYADH: As the Global Water Expo comes to an end today in Riyadh, a group of core messages was highlighted during the three-day exhibition, including the critical urgency for sustainable management methods.
Both global and local participants at the expo introduced recycling technologies, as water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges for Saudi Arabia.
“Wastewater is made up of water, energy, mineral and nutrient resources that can be treated, separated and safely reused across a wide range of applications — including mitigation of water scarcity. Yet, the majority of wastewater around the world is discharged into the environment — and without proper treatment, posing serious risks to both public health and natural ecosystems,” said Nicholas Burnett, head of water recycling at Enowa.
Additionally, Burnett praised Saudi Arabia’s dedicated efforts in water systems and how it manages its operations.
“Forward-thinking countries can leverage modern wastewater technologies to secure water supplies, reducing pressure on freshwater sources and minimizing environmental impact — a shift that we are seeing in practice in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
“In 2022, the Kingdom treated nearly 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater — 22 percent of the recycled water produced was used for agricultural crop irrigation, up from 16 percent in 2017. The aim is to reuse 25 percent of treated wastewater by the end of this year.”
Burnett told Arab News: “At Enowa, we are building a sustainable water management system that captures and reuses 100 percent of wastewater — with zero waste and no environmental discharge during treatment.”
He mentioned that in 2024, Enowa recycled 7 million liters of wastewater daily, which was all “used to support the cultivation of native plants in the NEOM Nature Reserve.”
Furthermore, Enowa is advancing its resource recovery by transforming sludge into fertilizers and exploring biogas recapture to power facilities.
“This integrated approach not only supports NEOM’s sustainability goals but also offers a scalable model for water-stressed regions worldwide,” Burnett explained.
Overall, the Global Water Expo showcased in a duration of three days water recycling solutions offered by many experts, highlighting local water systems companies while also introducing other international players in the water treatment solutions industry globally.
Through innovative treatment advancements and resource recovery systems, the Kingdom is drawing the path for other nations in the region who can address water scarcity while at the same time promoting economic growth and environmental protection.
