Makkah water project to be operational next year

JEDDAH: The National Water Company (NWC) is continuing its work on the water storage projects in Makkah. The capacity of the initial part of the project’s first phase will be 560,000 cubic meters and worth SR 170 million. This phase is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2016.
The project comprises four iron tanks, each 20-meter high, 98-meter in diameter and 140,000 cubic meter capacity. More than 60 percent of the project has already been completed. Said Alamri, senior director for asset and projects services, MTBU, said NWC is continuing to work on the installation of Makkah strategic water storage projects to increase capacity and support the Grand Mosque, especially during the Umrah and Haj seasons.
Alamri said NWC has completed a study on the second phase of the strategic water storage project in Sharaye that has a 1.3 million cubic meter capacity. These projects will be established in collaboration with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation.
After completion of the first and second phases, total strategic storage in Makkah and Masha’er (the holy sites of Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) will reach more than 4.2 cubic meters. This will mark a huge jump in water security and the region’s ability to face any possible increase in water demand.
Alamri said: “We consider this project as a successful strategic solution for facing the challenges of managing water demand in light of the rapid increase in Makkah’s population. In addition, it is considered as an achievement of the vision of our wise leadership regarding water security and providing the best water and environment services to the citizens and residents.” He said the NWC is working diligently on completing its plan for providing strategic water storage to face increasing demand, especially in Makkah, and finding radical solutions to the challenges facing the water and environmental sectors.