Development of water desalination in the Kingdom - National Day

Riyadh, Sept 19, SPA -- The Saudi Government spent on projects of
the saline water conversion corporation (swcc) up to the end of the
fiscal year 1427-1428 more than sr 62 billion.

The Kingdom knew water desalination since more than 80 years when
King Abdulaziz ordered establishment of a water desalination station
for providing Jeddah with desalinated water.
In 1394 the saline water conversion corporation (swcc) was
established to undertake the responsibility of water desalination.
In 2007 the Kingdom produced more than 1066 million cubic meter of
desalinated water.
Jubail station for desalination of water is considered as the biggest
station of its kind at the world level. There also water desalination
stations in Makkah, Madinah Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Shakik and Khobar.
In 1427 the approval of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was issued for increasing the desalinated
water production from Shu'eiba station by 150,000 square meters per
day for meeting the requirements in Jeddah.
During the fiscal year 1427-1428 about sr 4 billion were allocated
for the swcc, while in the fiscal Year 1428-1429 more than
sr5,053,160,000 were allocated for the projects of water
desalination.

The sources of the swcc expect that the requirements for drinking
water will amount to about six million cubic meter per day in 1446.
The cost of establishing water desalination stations for the next
years will amount to about sr 70 billion. The private sector will be
capable of contributing to the implementation of water desalination
projects.
In line with the Royal approval the private sector will contribute to
the implementation of the project of Yanbu-Madinah at its third
phase.
Arrangements are underway to implement water desalination stations in
Wajh, Rabigh, al-Leith, Qunfuza, Farasan and Amluj.

In 1407 a research and development center was established in Jubail.
The center includes five basic laboratories which are provided with
sophisticated equipment.
In 2005 the center was called the institute of water desalination
research.
Realizing the importance of training the national cadres the swcc
established in 1402 a training center in Jubail.
In recognition of its achievements in the field of water
desalination, swcc was awarded the prize of the international
desalination organization for 1999.
The swcc started since 1418 a national plan for the awareness of the
citizens with the importance of water and the importance of
rationalization of its consumption.
--SPA