Saudi plans to build $247 million USD worth of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure

The Saudi Ministry of Housing last week announced plans to build $247 million USD worth of water and sanitation infrastructure in the Jazan, Najran and Baha regions.

The projects include drinking water and sewage pipelines, wastewater pipeline networks, and a wastewater treatment plant.

“These infrastructure projects are meant to put an end to housing problems in different parts of the kingdom,” said Housing Minister Shewish al Dowaihi.

Also last week, the country’s Ministry of Electricity and Water announced completion of 117 water and sanitation projects in Jazan. The water projects cost a total of $472 million USD, while the sanitation projects were valued at some $33 million USD.

There are now 317 kilometers of sewage lines, 3,800 kilometers of drinking water pipelines and 71,000 household connections in Jazan, said Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah al Hussain.

The kingdom’s spending on water and sanitation projects is expected to reach $6.4 billion USD in 2013. The projects include construction of new drinking water, desalination and sewage treatment plants and dams and wells, as well as rehabilitation of old mains and efforts to rationalize water and electricity use.

Saudi water experts estimate that the kingdom’s water and power sectors will offer $50 billion USD worth of investment opportunities in the next few years.

With demand for water and electricity expected to grow by 10 percent annually, the in Saudi government strategy will emphasize partnerships with the private sector.

The Ministry of Water and Electricity plans to tender the kingdom’s biggest sewage treatment plant, which is to be built in Jeddah. The plant will have a capacity of 500,000 cubic meters per day.

It will also tender contracts for expansion of the Rabegh, Deba and Haql desalination plants this year.