Dubai plays host to the 13th International Desalination

Transcription

Dubai plays host to the 13th International Desalination
december2009/
january2010
Veolia and
Mubadala form JV
world’s first
osmotic power plant
APPLYING THOUGHT
TO WATER IN THE
MIDDLE EAST
Desal Review
with Christopher
Gasson
Interviews@IDA
Patricia Burke
Fady Juez
Lisa Henthorne
PLUS:
Marketplace
Tenders &
Contracts
Events Watch
Desal Diary
Dubai plays host to the
13th International Desalination
Association (IDA) World Congress
US$10
PUBLICATION LICENSED BY
THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
PRODUCTION ZONE,
DUBAI TECHNOLOGY
AND MEDIA FREE ZONE
AUTHORITY
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CONTENTS
applying thought to water in the middle east DECEMBER2009/JANUARY2010
COVER STORY
Desal
special
04 EDITORIAL
Reclaiming water
06 News Briefs
12 HAPPENINGS
Dubai plays host to the
13th International Desalination
Association (IDA) World
Congress - Part I of a
comprehensive report
The Region
18 HAPPENINGS
At Large
22 marketPlace
27 IDA SPECIAL
27
35 Desal Review
Christopher Gasson of GWI on
the present and future of the
desalination industry
40 Green outlook
IDA Secretary General Patricia
Burke on the desalination industry
worldwide
41 Reporting for duty
10
13
35
IDA Director Fady Juez on his
appointment to IDA Board and issues
surrounding water management in
the Middle East
44 Nurturing leaders
IDA Past president Lisa Henthorne
on her tenure and concerns about
water sector in the Middle East
46 FEATURE: Iraq
40
41
44
Crisis in the making
Water shortage is fuelling
displacement of people in
Northern Iraq
48 tenders and projects
54 events watch
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
3
editor’s note
Reclaiming water
T
wenty three technical sessions, 240 oral and poster
presentations, three-day-long workshops, 1,350 delegates from
approximately 60 countries, concurrent exhibition spread over
2,000 square metres showcasing the latest equipment and technology
from 67 participating companies - that’s IDA World Congress 2009
statistics in a nutshell.
The 13th bi-annual Congress, themed on ‘Desalination for a
Better World,’ was held in Dubai from November 7-12, 2009, under
the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The Congress was hosted by DIT-TechnoPark, the science and
technology facilitator of Economic Zones World (EZW).
The organisers, delegates and exhibitors were unanimous in their
opinion that this edition of the World Congress was the biggest ever. New initiatives introduced
by IDA this time included panel discussions, touch-screen availability of poster presentations, the
launch of a peer-reviewed IDA Journal on Desalination & Water Re-use and the official launches
of The IDA Young Leader’s Programme and the IDA Affiliates Programme.
The event also brought to the forefront some of the key trends and concerns in the desalination
industry, the top most being the environmental impact of desalination plants, in terms of their
energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases, intakes and discharges. During the opening
ceremony, every speaker had their two cents on the need to mitigate the environmental impact of
desalination, a sea change from the past, when there was little interest in the topic. The desalination
industry has started deploying its engineering prowess behind new technologies that help offset the
environmental impact and comply with the stricter regulations governing desalination processes.
During a press conference, Tom Pankratz, a director of the IDA and the editor of Water Desalination
Report, pointed out that over the last 15 years, the desalination industry has managed to reduce
overall energy consumption by up to 50% through technological improvements, while numerous
research projects are under way that promise to further reduce energy requirements, including
projects that creatively couple desalination plants with wind, solar or wave energy sources to provide
the required energy input. On its part, the IDA announced the setting up of an Environmental Task
Force for the Arabian Gulf, which will help ensure that environmental issues, unique to this part of
the world, would be dealt with in a more focused manner.
The Congress also put the spotlight on key trends in the Middle East, including the comeback
of membrane desalination and the adoption of privatisation route to drive performance and
efficiencies in desalination and wastewater re-use projects. The panel discussion on the relevance
of private finance in delivering competitively priced desalinated water provided an insight into
the misgivings about the private sector participating and providing important public services like
drinking water. Points that emerged during the panel session will be presented in the February
2010 issue of H20, as also several interviews and features that we have put together about the
Congress. Since it is not possible to do justice to an event of such magnitude and wealth of
information it provided in a single issue, we have decided to split the content between two issues
of H20. We hope you enjoy part 1 of Desal Diary.
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news briefs
Eagle Electromechanical
named Entrepreneurial
Company of the Year
The 2009 Frost & Sullivan Entrepreneurial Company of the Year
Award for Middle East Water and Wastewater Treatment Market
was presented to Eagle Electromechanical Company for the outstanding
growth achieved by the company within a short span of time. Its strategic
focus on being a turnkey solution provider and firm commitment to
highest quality standards have helped the company establish itself as a
respected player within the industry. The recipient of Frost & Sullivan
Award for Entrepreneurial Company of the Year is chosen after assessing the
nominees on the basis of predetermined criteria through extensive research.
Mohammed Hijaz, General Manager/Partner, Eagle Electromechanical,
said: “Eagle has grown rapidly over the past few years to reach a business
capacity of Euro 100,000 turnover per year to be one of the main players in
the Middle East for the wastewater sector. Eagle has been awarded more than
16 plants for the new technology of MBR, and out of them, eight are already
under operation by our staff. Eagle has succeeded in this great challenge of
building a large capacity MBR plant inside a closed building on such a small
footprint. Moreover, we are providing a high quality product of irrigation
and potable water grade, whilst meeting the best practices of odour control,
visual impact, and sludge treatment. As a company, we are committed
to creating a green environment for present and future generations by
designing and operating wastewater treatment plants aimed at waste
reduction and water reuse.”
Dubai Sports City WWTP – the largest MBR WWTP in the Middle East, designed and built by Eagle
FINANCE
Instrata invests in Al Dur
Bahrain-based Instrata Capital, a
regulated alternative asset management
firm focused on providing infrastructure
investments, has joined a leading consortium
of investors (including GDF SUEZ and
Gulf Investment Corporation) in the Al
Dur Independent Water and Power Project
(IWPP) by investing $26.4 million (equal to
6
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
a five per cent stake). The Al Dur IWPP’s
green field 1,234MW combined cycle
power plant, is being financed by 75%
debt and 25% equity. The total value of the
project is $2.2 billion. Work began on the
Al Dur power plant at the end of August
2008, and is presently on target with
regards to completion dates. In addition
to the Al Dur deal, Instrata is currently
looking at a strong planned investment
pipeline across the GCC and in Morocco,
Jordan, Egypt, and Tunisia.
AES Oasis exits Barka
AES Oasis, a joint venture of AES
Corp and IDB Infrastructure Fund,
has announced that a subsidiary has
entered into an agreement to sell AES
Oasis’ interests in the Barka 456MW
combined cycle gas plant and 91,000 m3/day
desalination facility in Oman, as well as the
associated technical service companies, to
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power International.
The acquisition will be the first by ACWA
Power International in the region and
follows ACWA’s success in winning IWPP
projects in Saudi Arabia. The sale agreement
culminates a process which began in the
second quarter of 2009. Barka employs
approximately 50 people and provides
power and desalinated water to the Oman
Power and Water Procurement Company
(OPWPC) under a 15-year power and water
purchase agreement that will end in 2018.
The transaction is subject to regulatory
approvals and is expected to close during
the first half of 2010.
SERVICES
Torishima to open facility in
TechnoPark
TechnoPark, the Economic Zones
World (EZW) subsidiary has
signed a contract with Torishima Pumps,
the Japan-based supplier of pumps for
desalination, power, water, wastewater and
process markets under which Torishima
Service Solutions, the group’s wholly owned
subsidiary, will set up a service facility at
TechnoPark. Torishima’s 9,652-squaremetres service centre will provide a major
boost to TechnoPark’s efforts to help deliver
sustainable water and power solutions
to the region where it has over 6,000
installations and over 30 years pump supply
experience. John Houston, Sales & Business
Director, Torishima Service Solutions, said,
Torishima & Technopark officials
“The new service facility will be an excellent
platform to leverage our position as both
the number one supplier of pumps along
with spares, repair, service and technical
support. With our rich heritage as an OEM
pump supplier, we will deliver innovative
solutions like Re-Engineering and Design
Up, which enhances the performance
and lifespan of the equipment, thereby
improving our customer’s operational
efficiency."
construction of three sewage treatment
plants (STP) – two in Mafraq and one in
Al Ain City – for the Abu Dhabi Sewerage
Services Company (ADSSC). The 15,000
m3/day Al Ain City plant and the 30,000
m3/day Mafraq plant use MBR technology,
while the second Mafraq’ STP with 50,000
m3/day capacity uses Sequential Batch
Reactor (SBR) technology. “ADSSC is one
of our most prestigious clients and we are
pleased to be one of the main technology
providers for the company,” said Mahmoud
Awad, Managing Director, CCG. The
company has installed over 500 sewage
treatment plants in the MENA region.
Zenath group of companies, said, “By
executing this project, our company will
raise the standards of the vacuum sewer
systems in the UAE and the Middle East to
a higher level.” Tareq Alhaddad, Business
Development Manager, Zenath Contracting
& Environmental Engineering Services
added, “The vacuum collection system will
serve a full community of 277 villas at UAQ
Marina and will consist of approximately
40 valve chambers connected to a central
vacuum station, which will be connected
to a sewage treatment plant with a 11
kilometres long sewer line at a later date.”
Advanced desalination
plant in Oman
Dulsco WMS tanker
New sewage tanker
services in Sharjah
Dulsco has started providing tanker
services in Sharjah to address
the increasing need for industrial and
hazardous waste disposal. The Dulsco
WMS tankers transport sewage, wastewater
and hazardous liquid waste from hotels,
shopping malls and other commercial
establishments, worker accommodations
and various industries throughout Sharjah.
In addition to a trade license from the
Sharjah government, Dulsco tankers,
which operate an average of 18 hours
per day, have approval from the Sharjah
Municipality to be registered with the
Sharjah traffic police and Sharjah Drainage
section. Paresh Karia, Senior Manager
Dulsco-Sharjah, said: “The problems
arising due to congestion basically stem
from the location of the Sewage Treatment
Plant (STP) within the city limits and
traffic restrictions that have to be followed
to reach there. The new STP being
developed by Sharjah Municipality in Sajja
will help to ease this problem as tankers
collecting sewage water from Sajja and
areas close to the Emirates Road will not
need to travel within the city for disposal.”
PROJECTS
Corodex completes
ADSSC projects
Corodex Industries, part of
the Concorde-Corodex group
(CCG), has successfully completed the
Modern Water’s desalination
project in Oman has commenced
production following a successful
commissioning. The Al Khaluf plant,
located approximately 450 kilometres
from the capital Muscat, is the second
one to use Modern Water’s Manipulated
Osmosis Desalination (MOD) technology,
after a successful pilot project in Gibraltar.
The plant will also earn Modern Water
its first revenue from desalination.
Modern Water claims that its technology
substantially reduces operating costs, and
provides a more environmentally friendly
alternative to traditional desalination by
significantly reducing energy and chemical
consumption. An additional benefit is low
boron levels without additional treatment.
Modern Water Executive Chairman,
Neil McDougall, said: “Spending on
desalination and other water-related
technologies in the Middle East continues
to increase. We are delighted to have a
commercial plant operating in the region
that can also act as a showcase for potential
clients. What’s more, through completing
a successful commissioning process in
Oman, we have demonstrated that our
MOD technology can operate effectively in
technically challenging surroundings with
high levels of salinity.”
Zenath to supply vacuum
sewer network
Zenath Contracting & Environmental
Engineering Services, a division of the
Dubai-based Zenath Group of companies,
has signed a contract with the Emaar Group
to design, install and commission a sewer
collection network at Emaar’s UAQ Marina
project. J S A Bukhari, Executive Director,
Abdullah Al Ghurair with Hitachi officials
Advanced STP for
Masafi Village
The Chairman of Al Ghurair
Group, Abdullah Al Ghurair and
Hitachi’s President Dr Sumikawa jointly
announced the setting up of an advanced
sewage treatment plant (STP) at the
Masafi Village. The 500m3/day MBR
plant, which is being developed as a CSR
initiative by the Al Ghurair group, will
serve a population of 2,000 people. Its
installation will be completed in four
months’ time. The treated sewage effluent
(TSE) will be used for irrigation and
other non-potable applications. The STP
is expected to provide relief for the village,
which was dependent on sewage tankers
to evacuate sewage, and on sweet water
tankers and well water for irrigation and
other uses. Al Ghurair and Hitachi have
already used the technology for treating
and re-using high-grade industrial water
in Al Quoz, Dubai.
SQH to invest in Syrian
STP projects
Syrian-Qatari Holding (SQH)
has signed a MoU with Syria’s
Ministry of Housing & Construction
for investing and building two sewage
treatment plants (STP) in Syria. The
MoU was signed by the Syrian Minister
of Housing and Construction, Omar
Ibrahim Ghalawenji and the Chairman of
Syrian-Qatari Holding (SQH), Nasser
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
7
news briefs
Hassan Al-Ansari during a Private
Public Partnership (PPP) Conference
organised by the British Syrian Society at
the Umayyad Congress Palace, Damascus.
The Ministry has estimated that Syria
needs around 183 STPs to cater to future
population growth. Hassan Mukayed, CEO
of SQH, said: “This partnership with the
Ministry of Housing and Construction
contributes to answering the country’s
need for clean water for industrial and
agricultural use. Our investment in the
STPs will also play an important part in
mitigating water pollution in Damascus
suburbs, Swuedah and the neighbouring
areas.” The two initial projects are located in
the cities of Jaramana and Swuedah, where
initial studies estimated the population
for Jaramana to be 183,000 and 265,000
for years 2028 and 2043 respectively, and
179,000 and 279,000 for years 2025 and
2040 for Swuedah. SQH will execute the
projects on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)
basis, while the Ministry will provide
the land, relevant infrastructure and
specifications, and assume responsibility for
delivering the wastewater to the treatment
facility, as well as ensuring the off-take of
the output. Founded in 2008, SQH is Syria’s
largest holding company with declared
capital of $5 billion and equally owned by
the Syrian and Qatari governments.
MWH to rehabilitate sewer
networks in Jordan
According to Jordan Times, the
Jordan’s Ministry of Water &
Irrigation has signed a $2.6 million
deal with MWH, which provides
comprehensive management, technical
engineering and construction services,
for the rehabilitation and construction
of sewer networks in Zarqa and Ruseifa.
MWH will carry out a feasibility study,
cost estimation and designs for the
improvement and expansion of sewage
networks as well as the construction of
wastewater plants. The $1.1 million first
phase entails estimation of the venture’s
cost, environmental and social feasibility
studies and development of initial
designs. In the second phase, MWH
will prepare the detailed designs of the
project, carry out an environmental
impact assessment and float a tender for
its implementation within 12 months at a
cost of $1.5 million. The project is being
implemented through the Millennium
Challenge Corporation.
8
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Qatar plans strategic
water reservoir
Qatar is looking to set up a huge
water storage facility for emergency
needs, local daily The Peninsula has
reported. It quoted a senior official
of Qatar General Electricity & Water
Corporation (Kahramaa) conveying
the information at an Arab-Japanese
Economic Forum in Tokyo. Dr Fahad Al
Kabi of Kahramaa said the water, which
will be stored in an underground reservoir,
will have the capacity to meet Qatar’s
demands for seven straight days through
a 183-km-long network. The proposed
reservoir’s storage capacity will be 1,902
million gallons. The official pointed out
that the existing system is capable of
meeting the water demand for less than
two days in an emergency.
FEWA to implement ERP
The Federal Electricity and Water
Authority (FEWA) has contracted
Siemens to implement Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP), Customer
Relation Management (CRM) and Billing
solutions from SAP in the organisation.
FEWA’s General Manager, Mohammed
Mohammed Saleh, said that the authority is
constantly striving to keep up with the latest
technology to serve its strategic objectives
and to provide services of the highest
level of efficiency and excellence. The
implementation will encompass customer
relations, human resources management,
finance, accounting, procurement, stores,
record keeping as well as the development
of the website. Joachim Kundt, Siemens
CEO, said that the deal with FEWA further
strengthens Siemens commitment towards
improving the technological capabilities of
the utilities sector in the UAE by providing
world class innovative solutions.
Work on Irbid WWTP to
begin soon
Construction on a JD40 million
Al Shallaleh wastewater treatment
plant to cater to Irbid Governorate is
expected to start soon, the Jordan Times
has reported. The 13,500 m3/day plant will
serve 16,000 households in southeastern
Irbid. Neighbourhoods expected to be
served by the plant include Idon, Sarih,
Bushra, Howwara, Salm Doqara, Natfeh
and Beit Ras. The treated water will be used
for fodder cultivation and irrigation in the
northern Jordan Valley. The project is being
implemented by the consortium of Passavant
Roediger and Hussein Attyeh Construction
Company. The plant is being financed by the
German Development Bank (KfW) and will
take two years to be completed.
Norit consortium wins
China’s largest wastewater
reuse project
A consortium of Norit & GreenTech
Engineering has been awarded the
contract for the design, procurement,
installation, and start-up of the 180,000
m3/day Qinghe Municipal Wastewater
Reuse Project in Beijing. This project,
which is the single largest water reuse
project in China, is part of the Qinghe
wastewater reuse plan developed by the
Beijing Drainage Group (BDG). The plant
is part of the Beijing Government’s overall
strategy to reuse all wastewater produced
in the city. The award of the project was
the final result of a public tendering
process which also saw bids from General
Electric, Siemens and Asahi. The winning
solution is based on Norit X-Flow XIGA
ultrafiltration membrane technology and
GreenTech’s CMS-Compact Modular
Skids. The project value is approximately
Euro 7.3 million and the project is
expected to be delivered in 2010.
technology & innovation
EAD taps solar energy
for desalination
The Environment Agency – Abu
Dhabi (EAD) is studying renewable
energy sources to produce water to meet
the rising demand for water and to enable
water security in the future. H.E Majid
Al Mansouri, EAD’s Secretary General,
said that finding new renewable and
environmental friendly energy resources
to produce water is no longer an option
but a necessity since the demand for
freshwater resources is increasing. EAD
had launched two pilot projects to produce
desalinated water from brackish and saline
groundwater using solar energy. So far,
the preliminary results have indicated
success of the experiment. The agency
is continuing efforts to develop more
stations, reduce the cost of capital to
about 10% and increase efficiency. EAD
is currently developing a mechanism for
harvesting brine reject from desalination
plants to rehabilitate natural vegetations.
It is also studying evapouration ponds to
dispose brine from inland desalination
plants in arid and semi-arid areas.
conservation
ENOC Green Station
Green service station to
conserve water
In an effort to improve both energy
conservation and underscore its
commitment to communities, Emirates
National Oil Company (ENOC) will open
the Middle East’s first eco-friendly service
station in the first half of 2010 at Emirates
Hills, Dubai. Among the advanced
technologies being introduced in the
station is a ‘waterless’ car-washing system.
Saeed Abdullah Khoory, ENOC Group
Chief Executive, said, “Creating a green
service station highlights our commitment
to the Green Vision of H.H. Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice
President and Prime Minister of the UAE
and Ruler of Dubai, and supports the ecofriendly initiatives currently underway in
Dubai.” To support water conservation,
the new service station recycles the
carwash water and provides customers the
option to use a waterless car wash system.
The concept saves water and prevents
detergents from polluting the environment
with its new ‘No-Wet’ technique, an allin-one eco-friendly car wash liquid. Made
from all natural ingredients, the product
does not contain petroleum distillates,
silicone, abrasives, harmful chemicals
or detergents that pollute the water. The
service station will also incorporate sensor
type water taps and a two-stage flush
system in the toilets.
Fuel cells power
California WWTP
The City of Tulare, California has
bought its fourth DFC300 fuel
cell unit from FuelCell Energy, a leading
manufacturer of high efficiency ultraclean power plants using renewable
and other fuels, which will expand the
municipality’s existing fuel cell power
plant to One MW and increase the
amount of green electricity produced
at the regional wastewater treatment
facility. With this onsite expansion,
Tulare will generate more than 40% of
the electricity needed to run its water
treatment operation. The DFC power
plants operate on methane, considered
over 20 times more harmful than carbon
dioxide, eliminating the air pollution that
normally would result from releasing the
biogas to the atmosphere or flaring it.
The City of Tulare wastewater treatment
facility processes 12.5 million gallons
per day (47,320m3/day) of sewage
including waste from the region’s seven
large dairy-processing enterprises. “The
combined heat and power capability of
FuelCell Energy’s power plant has been
ideal for us," said Lew Nelson, Tulare’s
Director of Public Works. “The fuel cells
generate clean electricity and heat that
we use in our anaerobic digester, making
this system the most efficient and costeffective for our needs."
Geomembrane technology
presentation
Dow Europe delivered a
presentation on ‘Geomembranes
– A Global Overview of Products and
Applications’ at the 2nd International
Geosynthetics Middle East Conference,
held in Dubai in November. The
presentation provided an introduction
to Geomembranes that are synthetic
sheet-like structures commonly used
as impermeable liners in geotechnical
engineering applications for
environmental protection, prevention
of water loss from containment ponds,
water collection, and water-proofing
constructions. The presentation also
provided an overview of Dow product
offerings for geomembranes, notably
DOWLEX 2342M, a universal resin
for landfill and concrete protection
and HDPE 50045, Dow’s most recent
material for pond lining and geonet
applications.
TIES to promote green
sewage treatment
Kuwait-based TIES International
(TIES) has entered into a strategic
alliance with MagneGas Corporation
(MagneGas) to sell the latter’s technology
for converting sewage to clean water and
fuel in the Middle East. TIES will promote
MagneGas Plasma Arc Flow equipment,
and provide all local engineering support.
Additionally, MagneGas and TIES will
further collaborate on establishing
manufacturing facilities in the region. Dr
Adnan Al Homoud, the CMD of TIES,
said: “Kuwait has four major central sewage
treatment plants, yet environmental damage
from excess sewage is borderline critical.
We believe that the MagneGas technology
can help in solving this problem, especially
when Kuwait adopts a regional treatment
model in coming months. Integrated
within the regional treatment centres,
the MagneGas technology could be very
effective in more efficiently treating sewage,
while also creating fuel. In addition,
Kuwait has an enormous problem with the
disposal of oil refinery and petro-chemical
waste; we feel this waste could be recycled
into MagneGas or hydrogen with the
MagneGas technology." Founded in 2007,
Tampa-based MagneGas Corporation is
the producer of MagneGas, a natural gas
alternative and metal working fuel made
from liquid waste such as sewage, sludge,
manure and certain industrial and oil based
liquid wastes. The Company’s patented
Plasma Arc Flow process gasifies liquid
waste, creating a clean burning fuel that is
essentially interchangeable with natural gas,
but with lower green house gas emissions.
ERI ex-founder announces
advanced pressure
exchanger
A group of international investors
have formed Isobaric Strategies to
commercialise second generation Pressure
Exchanger for the SWRO desalination
market invented by Leif J Hauge, founder
and past President of ERI. Among the new
proprietary design features is a patented
central axel for rotor positioning rather
than a sleeve, allowing for 60% larger flow.
The new high flow device applies proven
ceramic engineering and promise higher
performance at substantially lower costs.
Bermuda Waterworks has already deployed
the technology in its SWRO desalination
plant. Jon Burull, Vice President of
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
9
news briefs
Recognition for FOG
remediating technology
Leif J Hauge
Bermuda Waterworks, said: “After
successful operation of a 750 m3/day
SWRO train with pressure exchangers in
1999, we decided to replace our 2 x 1,500
m3/day trains using positive displacements
pumps and Turbo Chargers with 4 x 750
m3/day trains using Grundfos BM pumps
and 12 pressure exchangers manufactured
by Hauge Technologies. This design
resolved a persistent ground vibration
issue and improved energy efficiency.
Mostly all original pressure exchangers
are still in operation today, which testifies
to the durability and reliability of a single
moving ceramic rotor."
Solar water purifiers
SunDragon Solar has launched
solar thermal water purification
equipment, which uses FloVap (flowing
water evaporators) technology to
accelerate the vapour release of water.
Requiring only a small physical footprint
(approximately 150 square feet for a basic
purification unit), SunDragon solar water
purifiers can be set up in small clusters. A
single unit SunDragon solar water purifier
can make 100 plus gallons per day. The
manual solar water purifiers require 2-4
persons a day to pump and dispense water
for continuous operation. SunDragon
Solar claims that its evaporative
purification plant costs $10,000, creates
employment for three people, generates
cash flow quickly, and can be set up
anywhere there is contaminated water
and sunshine. According to the company,
the projected market for solar thermal
water purification equipment products
ranges from single units to multiple units
up to 100 or more, with a worldwide
demand for 1,000,000 units expected in
the next decade.
10
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
BioFuelBox has been selected as
a 2010 Technology Pioneer by
the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The company was one of 26 visionary
companies chosen after a vigorous selection
process by 58 global technology experts.
The only waste-to-energy company to win
this year’s prestigious award, BioFuelBox
is being recognised for helping industrial
and municipal partners reduce pollution
and increase energy independence by
transforming their highly contaminated
wastewater fats, oils and greases (wastewater
FOG) into clean-burning biodiesel. To
be selected as a Technology Pioneer,
a company must be involved in the
BioFuelBox head quarters in the US
development of a life-changing technology
innovation and have the potential for
long-term impact on business and society.
Steven Perricone, BioFuelBox’s CEO, said,
“BioFuelBox Corporation’s proprietary
NovoStream technology provides the
most environmentally friendly solution
for remediating wastewater FOG like trap
grease, wastewater scum, industrial food
processing DAF, and other wastewater
FOG sources. In addition, biodiesel from
wastewater FOG has 85% fewer greenhouse
gas emissions than petroleum-based diesel.”
sustainability
DEWA establishes Carbon
Centre of Excellence
In fulfillment of the vision of His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of
Dubai, DEWA has set up the First Dubai
Carbon Centre of excellence across the
Middle East Region in association with
UNDP. A MoU to the effect was signed
by H.E. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer,
MD & CEO, DEWA and Qais Al Numan
of UNDP in the presence of H.H.
Qais Al Numan, Resident Rep., UNDP and
H.E. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, MD&CEO,
DEWA sign the MoU
Sheikh Saeed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Chairman of the Supreme Council of
Energy, H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin
Fahd, Minister of Environment and
Water, members of the Supreme Council
of Energy and other high officials of
the Government and DEWA. The Dubai
Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE),
the DEWA MD and CEO pointed out,
will be established as a Public Private
Partnership (PPP) in conjunction with
international organisations and leverage
the experience of industry experts.
Istidama, a Dubai-based sustainability
consultancy, has been working alongside
DEWA to complement the know-how
and establish the PPP framework
required. Ivano Iannelli, former United
Nations Chief of Projects in Dubai and
Managing Director of Istidama said:
“We are honoured to contribute to the
DCCE establishment and simultaneously
promote the development and
competitiveness of the carbon credit
strategies in Dubai.” The Centre will act
as a one-stop shop for carbon abatement
strategies and will provide its services to
both public and private entities.
Heroes of the UAE schools
programme
Emirates Wildlife Society in
association with WWF (EWS-WWF)
have launched the ‘Heroes of the UAE
Schools programme’ in partnership
with the Ministry of Education and
HSBC Bank-Middle East as part of
their ongoing programme to tackle
climate change and the UAE’s ecological
footprint. The Heroes of the UAE
schools programme has two key
elements. The first element includes a
new climate change learning module,
on the already widely adopted online
Interactive Enviro-Spellathon – www.
envirospellathon.com – which culminates
in a national climate change quiz for
students 13-14 years of age to compete
and demonstrate their knowledge. The
second element includes an energy and
water reduction competition for schools
to motivate students to take collective
action. Participating schools will have
three months to demonstrate energy and
water conservation abilities which will
be judged by their utility bills as well as
supporting documents of the methods
employed to conserve energy and water.
Rewards for the winners of the two
competitions include ‘school energy and
water makeovers’ and personal laptops
sponsored by HSBC Bank Middle East.
Live Earth Run for Water
Dow to sponsor largest
global water initiative
The Dow Chemical Company
announced its participation in the
largest worldwide water initiative on
record to help combat the global water
crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for
Water – to take place worldwide April
18, 2010 – will consist of a series of sixkilometres-long run/walks (the average
distance many women and children walk
everyday to secure water) taking place
over the course of 24 hours in countries
around the world featuring concerts
and water education activities aimed at
igniting a tipping point to help solve the
water crisis. “Dow is proud to be the title
sponsor for this groundbreaking event,”
said Ian Barbour, general manager at Dow
Water & Process Solutions, a business
unit of Dow. “As part of our 2015
Sustainability Goals, we are committed
to leveraging science and technology to
help solve some of the world’s greatest
challenges – like the water crisis. Our
partnership with Live Earth is just one
of the many ongoing efforts Dow is
making to address water scarcity and help
millions of people around the world gain
access to safe, clean drinking water.”
alliance
AECOM, ThermoEnergy to
jointly pursue wastewater
opportunities
ThermoEnergy Corporation
and AECOM have signed a
non-exclusive MoU to jointly pursue
opportunities in areas of mutual interest
within the municipal and industrial
wastewater treatment industry. The
initial project on which the two firms
will be working together is the proposed
ammonia recovery project, featuring
ThermoEnergy’s Ammonia Recovery
Process (ARP) technology, slated for New
York City Department of Environmental
Protection 26th Ward water pollution
control plant. When the City of New York
recently published its intent to enter into
a sole source contract with ThermoEnergy
on the ARP project, the City described the
ARP process as follows: when compared to
currently employed biological treatment
processes, ARP appears to be one of
the more efficient means of removing
ammonia from centrate, thus minimising
the release of nutrients to the surrounding
waters of NYC, preventing fugitive
emissions of Greenhouse gases released by
wastewater treatment and consuming less
available power.
appointment
Hanovia appoints new
Global Business Manager
UV disinfection specialist, Hanovia
has appointed Halim Mirza as
its new Global Business Manager for
industrial markets such as food and
beverage processing, pharmaceutical and
microelectronics manufacturing, as well as
specialist healthcare applications. Halim
Halim Mirza
is a Chartered Engineer and a member
of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.
With a BSc in Chemical Engineering and
an MSc in Ion Exchange and Membrane
Technology, he has spent his entire career
in the water treatment industry. Prior
to joining Hanovia he was with Elga
Process Waters (part of Veolia Water
Systems), where he held various positions
in both management and technical
sales engineering, and more recently
international business development.
innovation
Innovative French desal
technology at WFES 2010
French firm, 3MW will be presenting
its Multiple-Effect Drying &
Condensation (MEDC) technology, an
innovative solution for desalination and
demineralised water production during the
World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in
Abu Dhabi at the French Pavilion. MEDC
technology reproduces the natural water
cycle in a compact module: evapourating
the water, then diffusing the vapour into
the air, and condensing it in the form of
distilled water. The innovation lies in a
heat exchanger made out of vertical plastic
plates, which is supplied with preheated
seawater. A fan makes the air circulate
between the plates where the fresh water
is collected, while the brine is discharged.
From one litre of sea water, the module
can produce half a litre of fresh water and
half a litre of concentrated seawater, which
is directly discharged into the sea. Plant
capacities range from one to 1,000 m3/
day to meet the needs of individuals, small
villages, hotels, health centres, and up to
100,000 m3/day for towns. For industrial
applications (process water, boiler water),
the water produced contains less than 10
mg/l minerals and can be used directly in
most industrial processes or as drinking
water after slight remineralisation. With
power consumption less than 0.2 kWh/
m3 of desalinated water, 3MW technology
consumes far less power than existing
desalination technologies. It can function
on solar power as well as waste heat (from
cooling, generator sets or cogeneration).
Designed entirely with plastic parts,
MEDC equipment doesn’t corrode, and
requires minimum maintenance. As it
produces no chemical discharge, it is
environmentally-friendly.
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
11
Happenings > the region
DSI acquires
Passavant-Roediger
DSI has acquired 82% of Passavant-Roediger at an
enterprise value of Dh145 million
Drake & Scull International (DSI)
has acquired Passavant-Roediger, a global
developer of wastewater, water and sludge
treatment technologies with over 5,000
installations and a presence in 13 countries
across Europe, Middle East, North Africa
and Asia. The enterprise value of this
acquisition is Dh145 million.
Under the acquisition agreement, DSI
will own 82% of Passavant-Roediger.
The remaining 18% will remain with
Bilfinger Berger, a publically listed
German company internationally active in
construction services.
Majid Al Ghurair, Chairman of DSI
signed the agreement in the presence of
Joachim Foerderer, Managing Director of
Bilfinger Berger Facility Services.
As DSI’s first acquisition since listing
with the Dubai Financial Market (DFM)
in March 2009, it is seen as an integral
step in the company’s development and
implementation of its long term strategy.
“This is a strategic acquisition that
realises the company’s plans for both
vertical and horizontal expansions,”
said DSI CEO, Khaldoun Tabari. “It
gives DSI vertical expansion by adding
to the services that the company offers,
Khaldoun Tabari (right) with PassavantRoediger representative
12
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
and horizontal expansion through
opening new markets and providing
the company with a larger geographical
reach. The engineering projects taken
by Passavant-Roediger will also generate
revenues for DSI’s other business streams,
including MEP and Civil Contracting, as
wastewater and water treatment plants
require engineering, procurement and
construction disciplines, which can be
accumulatively provided by DSI.”
Passavant-Roediger’s solutions will
extend DSI’s ability to deliver superior
services to the region, which will continue
to position DSI as a leading end to end
provider in the construction industry.
Tabari continued: “From a business
perspective, the wastewater and water
treatment business is underserved in the
MENA region, unlike North America and
Europe, and there is an immediate need
in the market for additional infrastructure
networks and plants. Research shows that
around $25 billion per annum is currently
being spent on wastewater treatment
worldwide, with demand set to rise sharply
in the coming years, exceeding $81 billion by
2012. Key growth areas will be China, India
and the Middle East, with each increasing
their annual investments in wastewater
treatment by more than eight per cent.”
Passavant-Roediger currently operates
in, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Croatia,
Germany, Algeria, UAE, Turkey and China
with projects around the world including
Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, UAE
and Saudi Arabia. The company’s current
backlog stands at over Dh 450 million.
The company has advanced research and
development centres for wastewater, water
and sludge treatment. It provides solutions
for Raw Water Treatment; Desalination/
Demineralisation; Ground Water and Surface
Water treatment; Treatment of Residues;
Municipal wastewater treatment; Industrial
wastewater treatment; Sludge treatment;
Mechanical & Biological Waste Treatment.
12
Billion gallons of FOG (fats,
oils and greases) generated
in world’s wastewater
streams annually.
Source: BioFuelBox
130
Million m3/year. TSE
produced by sewage
treatment plants in Tunis to
be re-used in fodder farms
Source: Tunisia Online News
1,600
Terawatt hours and above.
The global production
potential of osmotic power
Source: Statkraft
1
Billion dollars. Proposed
investment by Qatar in a
solar-powered desalination
plant to support the
agriculture sector
Source: Zawya Dow Jones
Veolia and Mubadala form JV
Azaliya will provide outsourced water management services to
municipal and industrial customers in the MENA region
In October 2008, Veolia Water and
Mubadala Development Company had
announced their intention to create a
joint-venture company to focus on water
purification and distribution, wastewater
treatment and reuse in the Middle East
and North Africa (MENA) region. That
intention has now taken concrete shape
in the form of Azaliya, which unites
the expertise of the world’s leading
environmental services operator with the
experience of region’s leading development
and investment company. Azaliya,
owned 51% by Veolia Water and 49% by
Mubadala, was formally unveiled at a select
press briefing, held during the MEED
Wastewater Conference in Abu Dhabi in
early December 2009.
Patrice Fonlladosa, Board member
& CEO, Azaliya said: “The new name
represents the development of a strategic
and long term partnership between
two large companies – Mubadala and
Veolia. We have a clear perspective of
where we want to go. The resources of
both companies will be deployed in the
direction of sustainable contracts and
development in MENA region.”
Population growth and economic
development are the two major features of
countries in the MENA region. These have
been accompanied by continuous increase
in demand for water and electricity along
with increasing risk of pollution of the
environments by wastewater. Azaliya will
provide outsourced water and wastewater
services that can help local authorities
meet these challenges through concessions,
performance contracts, Design-BuildOperation (DBO) and Operation &
Maintenance (O&M) contracts. At
present, Azaliya provides water services
to more than 8.5 million people and
wastewater services to 5.5 million people.
All the water and sanitation activities of
Veolia Water portfolio in the MENA region
will be transferred to Azaliya. These include
contracts in the GCC region – mainly
UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and
Morocco in North Africa. In Morocco,
Azaliya has 25 year concession contracts
for water, wastewater
and electricity services in
the three cities of Rabat,
Tangiers and Tetouan. In
North Africa, Azaliya is also
exploring opportunities in
Egypt, Libya and Tunisia in
both water production and
wastewater markets.
Gerard Velter, General
Manager, Azaliya said that
joint venture will also target
industrial customers for
its outsourced services.
Patrice Fonlladosa
Gérard Velter
“There are industries like
Dhabi and Qatar. The largest contract is the
petrochemicals and aluminium smelters
one for financing, design, construction and
in the GCC region and other parts of the
operation of two new waste water treatment
Middle East that water and need water
plants in Abu Dhabi (300,000m3/day)
and wastewater services that are different
from municipal market,” he explained. In
and Al Ain (130,000 m3/day). Azaliya will
January 2009, Veolia won its first industrial operate the plants for 22 years.
O&M contract in the region in Saudi
On the desalination side, Azaliya’s
Arabia. Velter continued, “We have signed
portfolio is made up of 22-year BOOT
a 5-year O&M contract to operate the
contract for a RO Desalination Plant in
wastewater plant at Saudi International
Sur, Oman which was commissioned in
Petrochemical Company’s (SIPCHEM)
November 2009 and 12 year O&M contract
acetyl complex in Jubail.” The treatment
for a RO desalination plant in Fujairah,
is capable of treating 21 different types
where the commissioning is underway and
of different polluted flows. Global Water
full operation is expected to begin in the
Intelligence (GWI) has placed the value of
next six months.
the contract at $8.36 million.
Commenting on the financial crisis,
On opportunities with regard to
Fonlladosa said that while the crisis has
desalination versus wastewater markets,
led to a diminished projects pipeline and
Fonlladosa pointed out that it varied
re-phasing of some projects, the prospects
from country to country. He felt that
of the MENA water and waste water
desalination, which is a relatively more
markets continue to be bright. He said,
developed market, will continue to see
“For Azaliya, this is one of the promising
some capacity development; but waste
regions in the world with strong prospects
water treatment and re-use is definitely
of double digit growth.”
getting more attention from governments
Azaliya’s strong commitment to the region
keen to prioritise access to potable water.
has started yielding dividends. In Riyadh,
Velter opined that while desalination is
for example, happy with the results of its
an important water solution, in regions
performance contract covering wastewater
with rivers, aquifers, ice & snow, the scope
collection and production and distribution
for desalination will be much less; whereas
of drinking water for the city, the local
waste water treatment is a universal need
authorities have entered into a five-year MoU
because “when you consume water, you
with Azaliya to operate three waste water
produce wastewater”.
treatment plants in Riyadh. In Libya, where
Interestingly, wastewater dominates
Veolia has been present for a while, Azaliya
Azaliya’s GCC portfolio with major
is eyeing RO desalination projects as well as
contracts in Ajman, Saudi Arabia, Abu
some municipal contracts.
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
13
Happenings > the region
Salalah IWPP on track
Sembcorp signs contract for $1 billion Salalah IWPP in Oman,
its second major venture in the Middle East
Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp)
has announced that a joint venture
formed between its fully-owned
subsidiary Sembcorp Utilities and the
Oman Investment Corporation has
executed a 15-year contract to supply
power and water to the governmentowned Oman Power & Water
Procurement Company. The joint venture
company, Sembcorp Salalah Power
& Water Company, will be investing
approximately $1 billion to develop,
build, own and operate the Salalah
Independent Water and Power Plant
(Salalah IWPP) in Oman.
Targeted to begin full commercial
operations in the first half of 2012, the
Salalah IWPP will consist of a 445MW
gas-fired power plant and 68,000 m3/
day RO-based desalination plant. Set to
be the largest power and water plant in
the Governorate of Dhofar in Southern
Oman, the entire electricity and water
output from the facility will be sold under
the 15-year power and water purchase
agreement. Sembcorp Salalah Power
& Water Company is 60% owned by
Sembcorp Utilities and 40% owned by the
Oman Investment Corporation, whose
shareholders are the Gulf Investment
Corporation, the National Investment
Funds Company, State General Reserve
The Salalah IWPP will consist of a 445MW gas-fired power plant and 68,000 m3/day
RO-based desalination plant (Photo courtesy: NASA Visible Earth)
14
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Fund of the Sultanate of Oman and
BankMuscat.
In addition, the facility will be
operated and maintained by a joint
venture company, Sembcorp Salalah
O&M Company, which is 70% owned by
Sembcorp Utilities, under a long-term
operation and maintenance (O&M)
contract for the entire term of the power
and water purchase agreement. The
remaining 30% of the O&M company
is owned by the Oman Investment
Corporation. SEPCO III Electric Power
Construction Corporation (SEPCO III)
of China is the engineering, procurement
and construction contractor under a
fixed-price, date-certain turnkey contract
and Hydrochem (S), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Hyflux, is the sub-contractor
for the seawater desalination plant. The
contract marks the first desalination
project in Oman for Hyflux and its first
IWPP project as well. The desalination
facility is expected to be completed
within 22 months from receiving the
notice to proceed. The Salalah IWPP will
be Sembcorp’s second power and water
investment in the Middle East, where it
has been operating since 2006. Sembcorp
owns, operates and maintains the Fujairah
1 Independent Power and Water Plant,
the world’s largest operating hybrid
desalination plant, in the UAE.
The project cost of approximately $1
billion will be 75% funded through 17year non-recourse project finance loans,
and 25% by shareholder loans. The nonrecourse project finance loans will be
provided by Standard Chartered Bank (also
the Financial Advisor), Bank of China,
China Development Bank, BankMuscat,
KfW-IPEX Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui
Banking Corporation as Mandated Lead
Arrangers, and National Bank of Oman
and Bank Sohar as Arrangers. The loans
will be in US dollars, except for those from
BankMuscat, National Bank of Oman and
Bank Sohar, which will be in Omani Rials.
Financial closure of the project is expected
to be within one to two months.
New sewage and storm
water systems for Dubai
Dubai Municipality will spend Dh492 million on setting up new sewage and storm
water systems in the Al Quoz labour camp and Nad Al Sheba 4 areas
The Drainage and Irrigation
department at Dubai Municipality is
setting up new sewage and storm water
system for Al Quoz Industrial Area I, II, III
and IV at a cost of about Dh86 million; the
department has also approved the design
for a sewage and storm water system
project for Nad Al Sheba 4 area at a cost of
Dh406 million.
The Al Quoz project, to be completed
in 540 days, aims to extend sewerage
and storm water drainage services to
labour camp areas located in the Al
Quoz Industrial Area I, II, III and IV. The
project is located along Sheikh Zayed
Road, Al Khail Road and Umm Suqeim
Road. It will cover a total area of 159
hectares out of the 1,897 hectares in the
Al Quoz Industrial Area. The project will
provide sewage as well as storm water
drainage services to 145,000 people
in the area. The project components
include wastewater collection and
rainwater pipes, the groundwater level
reducing pipes, wastewater and rainwater
collection chambers, house connection
pipes, manholes and domestic connection
inspection rooms, rainwater connection
rooms, and the establishment of a sewage
pumping station as well as a pumping line.
The Nad Al Sheba-4 project is located
along the Emirates Road and Al Ain Road,
and the regions of the Nad Al Sheba-2 and
3. The project, covering an area of 594
hectares, will provide sewage and storm
water drainage services to 347,053 people
in the region, and is to be completed in
915 days. The project aims to extend the
sewage and storm water drainage network
to all residential, commercial, recreational
and service areas located in Nad Al
Sheba-4, to receive the disposal of drainage
and storm water from Dubai Academic
City and Dubai Silicon Oasis on the main
lines, in addition to receiving the future
sewage and rain water of Nad Al Sheba-3.
Project area Al Quoz
A new sewage pumping station of 900
litres/second capacity, same as the existing
one, will also be set up. Other components
include development of existing rain water
pumping station and the establishment
of a new storm water pumping station
with a capacity of 9,000 litres/second.
These projects are part of the Drainage
and Irrigation Department’s 2009 plans,
conforming to the latest international
specifications and conditions, and based
on designs approved by the Municipality.
The Al QUOZ
project will
provide
sewage as
well as
storm water
drainage
services to
145,000 people
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
15
Happenings > the region
Strategic Planning
Bahrain to announce master plan for the sanitary
engineering services; Tubli STP to be privatised
In a recent announcement summing
up key developments in the sanitary sector
in 2009, Bahrain’s Ministry of Works
(MOW) emphasised that modernisation
and privatisation of the Kingdom’s sanitary
sector is on track as part of Bahrain
Economic Vision 2030 plan.
In 2009, a total of 41 tenders worth
BD106 million were prepared, 43 contracts
worth BD95 million were initiated, eight
contracts worth BD9.5 million were
completed while 18 contracts worth BD61
million are on-going. The sector’s key
highlights in 2009 were as follows:
Ninety-one per cent of the National
Sanitary Engineering Plan’s operations was
achieved and expected to be completed in
the first half of 2010. The main objective of
this plan is to develop an overall National
Master Plan for the Sanitary Engineering
Services in the Kingdom of Bahrain with
regard to the sewerage system; Surface
Water Drainage System; Wastewater
Treatment and Reuse of TSE and Sludge.
The Sanitary Services Privatisation
Project continued to make progress
in 2009. Privatisation Strategy and
Implementation Plan (PSIP) for Sanitary
engineering is being developed and will be
finalised in the first quarter of 2010. This
plan sets out the privatisation roadmap
for sanitary engineering which will
include privatisation of Muharraq STP,
Tubli STP and other STP and sewerage
networks across the country. The pilot
privatisation project, Muharraq STP is
currently at tender stage and bids are
scheduled to be submitted in January 2010.
Land reclamation work for the project is
expected to be completed by April 2010,
which is ahead of the planned award of
the privatisation contract in June 2010.
The Tubli STP has been identified as
the next privatisation project for which
front end activity has been initiated, and
the appointment of consultant for the
privatisation of Tubli STP is in the works.
Provision of the professional technical
consultations for 16,000 requests regarding
a number of the main projects carried out
by the public and private sectors.
A number of sanitary projects were
conducted in different areas including East
Riffa, A’ali, Al Ma’meer, Al Oker, and Al
Hidd. 91% of population is now linked to
the sanitary network
The launch of building permit
and sewerage connections service in
Fine filtration
Dow Water & Process Solutions has
bagged a contract in Saudi Arabia to supply
nanofiltration technology
Dow Water & Process Solutions
(DWPS), a business unit of The Dow
Chemical Company (Dow), has been
awarded by the Ministry of Water and
Electricity in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia an order to supply its state-ofthe-art DOW FILMTECNanofiltration
NF90-400 elements to the Ha’il
Nanofiltration Plant.
16
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
The Plant will be among the largest
of its kind in the world, processing and
delivering clean water at a rate of 150,000
m3/day – enough to supply the daily
clean water needs of 500,000 to 750,000
residents. The plant is expected to come
online in the second half of 2010. The
elements will be supplied through Dow
distribution partner Abu Nayyan Trading
Bahrain is pushing ahead with its water
sector privatisation plans
the Internet on www.works.gov.bh,
contributed to reducing the applicants
visiting the Ministry by 11%. This comes
in line with Ministry’s vision to provide
high quality services in a professional
manner.
• The Executive Actions Lists and
Regulations for sanitation and surface
water drainage have been issued and
officially published in the official gazette
no. 2915 dated 1st October 2009.
Company (ATC) to the Original Equipment
Manufacturer (OEM) EMCO, making
Dow the first and only supplier of water
nanofiltration technology in the Kingdom.
Ha’il is located in one of the most arid
regions in the world, and underground fresh
water resources are diminishing. Furthermore,
water that naturally seeps back into the wells is
contaminated with various naturally-occurring
heavy metals and minerals underground,
like Radium. When government health
authorities started to notice an increase in
water-related health concerns, they determined
it to be related to the naturally-occurring,
underground leaching of heavy metals to the
region’s fresh water supply. In 2008, Dow and
the Ministry of Water and Electricity installed
Abu Dhabi unveils coastal
development guidelines
The areas that have been identified for protection include those areas that
contribute to Abu Dhabi’s overall biodiversity
Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council
(UPC), the agency responsible for the future
of Abu Dhabi’s urban environments has in
close collaboration with the Environment
Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) developed
Coastal Development Guidelines for
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Coastal
Development Guidelines is one of the
first initiatives resulting from the earlier
introduced Natural and Cultural Heritage
Strategy, and is an integral aspect of Plan Abu
Dhabi 2030’s Environment Framework Plan.
The newly introduced guidelines provide
direction for development in the major
coastal basins extending from the Al
Dhabiya island to the boundary with Dubai
Emirate - which are referred to as the Bul
Syaeef, Inner Islands, Ras Gharab and Ras
Ghanadah basins. Within each area, there
will be management strategies ranging
from a fully preserved natural reserve,
which protects the most important natural
and cultural assets, to stewardship zones,
which are urban in nature but that promote
sustainable design and social inclusion.
the first NF plant with a capacity of
25,000 m3/day using DOW FILMTEC
NF90-400 elements; this is expected to be
fully online by the end of 2009, and the
150,000 m3/day plant will come online by
the end of 2010.
Zuhair Allawi, Commercial Director
for Dow in India, Middle East and
Africa said, “This is an extremely
significant commercial milestone
for Dow and our Water and Process
Solutions business unit. But more
importantly, this is a technological
milestone for the region and for
Saudi Arabia in particular. The public
authorities have elected to use the
latest innovations in the market, to
“The assigned goal for coastal development
guidelines is to improve the environmental
performance of coastal development
by incorporating key environmental
considerations at the conceptual stage,” said
H.E Falah Al Ahbabi, General Manager, Abu
Dhabi Urban Planning Council.
“The areas that have been identified
for protection include those areas
that contribute to Abu Dhabi’s overall
biodiversity including; intertidal mudflats,
mangroves, seagrass meadows and coral
reefs. These important habitats provide
ecosystem services such as protection from
shoreline erosion, stabilisation of sediment,
filtration of contaminants and nutrient
be the first to leverage nanofiltration
technologies in the region, in order to
secure sustainable clean water supply to
Saudi citizens. Dow is proud to be part
of this state-of-the-art installation.”
Lance D Johnson, Dow Water
& Process Solutions, global water
commercial director echoed the
fundamentals of innovation and
partnership amongst Dow and
the Ministry. “This is an inspiring
example of private and public sector
collaboration for the common benefit
of the public. Dow’s advanced water
treatment technologies are in place all
over the world, but the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia is a key market for us.”
recycling. Additionally, these areas provide
feeding and nursing grounds for a variety of
commercially important fish species as well
as migratory shorebirds and endangered
marine wildlife,” said H.E Majid AlMansoori, Secretary General, Environment
Agency - Abu Dhabi.
The unveiling of the Coastal Development
Guidelines fulfils an important step in the
Maritime Strategy for the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi, an overarching strategy developed by
the Maritime Security Executive Committee
and approved by relevant stakeholders and the
Marine Areas Supreme Security Committee.
“The identified areas provide an excellent
opportunity to promote environmental
education and awareness for all residents of
the Abu Dhabi Emirate as well as visitors and
it is our obligation and duty to protect and
preserve these precious natural resources for
future generations,” added Al Ahbabi.
According to the guidelines stipulated in
the document, coastal parks and ecological
hotspots are exempt from activities such
as dredging, reclamation or other physical
alteration activities of the environment.
Only small scale visitor facilities and related
services can be deployed in these areas.
Access to these areas is limited to ferries and
small, non-motorised boats.
Besides developing the Coastal
Development Guidelines in accordance
with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi,
the UPC had also unveiled the planning
guidelines for the Eastern Mangrove
National park, in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
The area was designated as core mangrove
habitat within a network of marine and
coastal national parks, enveloping the capital
of Abu Dhabi. The Bateen Waterfront area,
which holds critical significance to ensure
continuous public access to the water’s edge
with supportive community amenities,
is another initiative that the UPC has
undertaken in order to preserve the coastal
heritage of Abu Dhabi.
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
17
Happenings > at large
The prototype
pilot plant
will
The
site
atinitially
Tofte produce around 2-4 kW, enough to operate a coffee-maker
Pressure power
Norwegian renewable power giant Statkraft has set
up the world’s first osmotic power plant
The world’s first osmotic power
pilot plant became operational in Tofte,
Norway in late November 2009. The
prototype plant, pioneered by renewable
power giant, Statkraft, showcases the
harnessing of energy created through
osmosis to generate a continuous source
of renewable electricity.
“This new technology generates
electricity simply by mixing water. New
solutions to meet the climate challenges
might be closer than we expect, which
makes me confident that the future looks
bright,” says Statkraft CEO and President,
Bård Mikkelsen.
The osmotic power process harnesses
the osmotic potential difference between
saltwater and freshwater. In simple terms,
seawater and freshwater are fed into
separate pipes, via filters which remove
humus and other particles that can block
the membranes. The water is then fed into
the membrane system. The freshwater is
drawn through the membrane across to the
saltwater. The increase in volume creates
a pressure which forces the water through
the turbine and generates electricity.
The pressure is 12 bar, equivalent to a
120-metre waterfall.
The Tofte pilot plant consists of
membranes, pipes, a cleaning unit,
18
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
pressure exchangers and a turbine. The
plant is modular and consists of 66
pressure pipes with rolled-up membranes
on the inside. The advantage of a modulebased plant is that parts of the facility can
be taken out of operation for cleaning and
maintenance while the rest of the facility
remains in operation.
The main challenge for Statkraft now
is to develop a membrane which draws
through enough water to create an effective
pressure to run the turbine. The Tofte
prototype holds a total of 2000 m2 of
membranes. They have an efficiency of
less than one watt per square metre, but
the plan is to eventually install membranes
that can deliver 2-3 watts, the ultimate
objective being to reach five watts.
The pilot plant is designed to produce
10kW of renewable energy, but will
initially produce around 2-4 kW, enough
to operate a coffee-maker. By 2015,
Statkraft plans to build a full-scale osmotic
power plant capable of producing 25MW
of electricity. Such a power plant, the
size of a football stadium, would require
five million square metres of membrane,
and produce 166 GWh of electricity per
year, enough to supply 30,000 European
households.
The pilot plant uses PX Pressure
Exchanger energy recovery devices from
ERI. “The ability to harness osmosis
and turn it into a continuous supply of
clean, renewable energy is an extremely
important accomplishment for humanity
and the environment. We applaud Statkraft
on opening the pilot facility as a major
milestone for osmotic power,” said Rick
Stover, CTO of ERI.
The late US professor Sidney Loeb had
the idea to use membranes for desalination
in the early 1970s when he discovered that
a similar process could be used to generate
power, that is, osmotic power. Back then,
power prices were so low that no one
was interested in investing to develop
the technology. Later on, the researchers
Dr Thor Thorsen and Dr Torleif Holt
at SINTEF began to research osmotic
power. These men contacted Statkraft in
1996, which led to the beginning of the
development up to the present day.
Osmotic power plants utilise the osmotic
pressure difference between seawater and
freshwater to drive a turbine
ERI to acquire
Pump Engineering
Combined offering expands ERI’s product portfolio
and addressable market in desalination
Energy Recovery, a leading player
in the design and development of energy
recovery devices for the desalination
industry, announced that it has entered
into a definitive agreement to acquire all
of the equity interests of Michigan-based
Pump Engineering. Under the terms of the
agreement, ERI will pay the shareholders
of Pump Engineering approximately $20
million in cash plus one million shares of
ERI Common Stock. The completion of the
transaction, which is subject to satisfaction
of customary conditions, is expected to take
place in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Pump Engineering is a leading
provider of centrifugal turbine energysaving technology for seawater and
brackish desalination applications,
and has demonstrated support for
emerging markets such as natural gas
and high pressure fluid processing. Pump
Engineering’s hydraulic turbochargers
and pumps are custom-designed to
reduce energy consumption and increase
efficiency in specific process conditions.
In October 2009, Hyflux had selected
PEI’s HTCAT TurboCharger as the energy
recovery technology for the 500,000 m3/
day Magtaa SWRO plant in Algeria. PEI
bagged a deal to supply 25 HTCAT-7200
TurboChargers for Magtaa plant.
ERI President and CEO G.G. Pique
said: “This acquisition underscores ERI’s
commitment to lead a global effort to
prove that desalination is an affordable,
environmentally sound and energy-efficient
answer to the growing water crisis. Pump
Engineering is the leading, high-quality energy
recovery device solution in areas where the
cost of power is low and the customer is more
sensitive to the up-front capital cost. With
dedicated sales and marketing, technical and
support teams, the combined client base will
benefit from a total solution package with
enhanced customer service capabilities and a
wider breadth of technical expertise in R&D.
We can now supply any desalination project
in the world with the most appropriate energy
recovery device.”
ERI believes that the acquisition of
Pump Engineering will enhance the
company’s competitive position and
broaden its addressable market by:
• Providing the desalination industry
with superior quality energy recovery
technologies that deliver proven, bestin-class solutions for isobaric and
centrifugal devices for both seawater and
brackish reverse osmosis applications.
• Expanding ERI’s product portfolio to
offer a more complete suite of energysaving solutions that cover a larger
footprint in the brackish and seawater
desalination markets.
• Designing, manufacturing and selling
packaged solutions that integrate high
pressure pumps, circulation pumps
and energy recovery devices to offer a
complete solution for a power train in a
desalination plant.
• Increasing market share with an
expanded suite of products in regions
where the cost of power is low and upfront capital cost considerations take
precedence over operating costs.
• Combining the two industry-leading
technologies and their comprehensive
ongoing R&D efforts to develop next
generation products.
• Pursuing new applications outside of
seawater and brackish desalination,
such as natural gas and high pressure
fluid processes where the centrifugal
technology has unique advantages.
“The acquisition of Pump Engineering and
its capability to manufacture high pressure
and circulation pumps for desalination
applications means ERI can now offer
clients a single-source solution for the entire
power train in a desalination plant,” said
Borja Blanco, Senior Vice President of Sales
at ERI. “This opens up tremendous market
ERI President and
CEO GG Pique
opportunities for us. We are excited to expand
our worldwide reach and market penetration
by combining Pump Engineering’s global
network of agents with our extremely capable
direct sales team to take advantage of the
broader suite of products and solutions that
this acquisition provides.”
The acquisition
of Pump
Engineering and
its capability to
manufacture
high pressure
and circulation
pumps for
desalination
applications
means ERI can
now offer
clients a singlesource solution
for the entire
power train in
a desalination
plant
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
19
Happenings > at large
Policies that address eutrophication cannot be limited to traditional environmental regulations
Policy safeguard
WRI recommends suite of policies to clean up polluted
freshwater and coastal ecosystems
Lawmakers should consider a suite of
policies to reduce harmful algal blooms
and dead zones caused by eutrophication
– the over-enrichment of nitrogen and
phosphorous in freshwater and coastal
ecosystems.
“Eutrophication is like climate
change,” said Mindy Selman, lead author
of a new report released by the World
Resources Institute (WRI). “It’s caused
by human activity, there is no single
solution and addressing it will require a
number of approaches.”
Eutrophication: Policies, Actions, and
Strategies to Address Nutrient Pollution
is the last report in a three-part series,
preceded by Eutrophication: Sources
and Drivers of Nutrient Pollution and
Eutrophication and Hypoxia in coastal
Areas, which is a survey of coastal
eutrophication worldwide.
It identifies and highlights local, state
and regional tactics to address nutrient and
phosphorus pollution. Findings from the
report suggest that lawmakers maximise
outcomes by focusing on policies with
numerous environmental benefits.
For example, while regulating nutrient
discharge from wastewater treatment
plants helps mitigate eutrophication, WRI’s
20
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
research reveals that this approach has few
environmental co-benefits, and could even
result in significant environmental tradeoffs.
In addition, many of the technologies
to remove nutrients from wastewater
use a significant amount of energy.
Depending on the energy source, this
could lead to additional emissions of
nitrous oxide (NOx), a pollutant that
not only contributes to eutrophication
when re-deposited on land and in water,
but also contributes to smog and acid
rain. Currently, atmospheric deposition
accounts for 30% of the nitrogen pollution
found in the Chesapeake Bay.
Some of the nitrogen that is scrubbed
from wastewater might also be released
as nitrous oxide (N2O) gas, which is a
greenhouse gas with a warming potential
that is nearly 300 times greater than that of
carbon dioxide (CO2).
“Because there are so many pathways,
sources, and drivers of nutrient pollution,
the policies that address eutrophication
cannot be limited to traditional
environmental regulations,” said Selman.
Policies encouraging energy conservation,
energy efficiency and development of
alternative energy resources have multiple
environmental and public health benefits.
Such policies would reduce the burning of
fossil fuels – a significant source of carbon
dioxide, NOx and nutrient pollution in
aquatic ecosystems.
Another approach which promotes
considerable environmental synergies is
agricultural policy that provides incentives
to farmers who reduce nutrient pollution.
For instance, growing vegetative buffer
strips on farms not only prevents organic
and chemical fertiliser from running
off into the water, but can also improve
wildlife habitats, reduce soil erosion, and
sequester carbon.
Supporting research and development of
new technologies should also be considered
by politicians, WRI’s report concludes. In
Florida and California, algal turf scrubber
systems are being used to remove nitrogen
and phosphorous in freshwater. The algae
can then be harvested and used for cattle
feed or biofuel production.
“Nearly 500 coastal areas around
the country already suffer from dead
zones and without decisive action by
policymakers the number is expected
to rise in the foreseeable future,” said
Selman.”Lawmakers should carefully
consider policies that maximise
environmental returns.”
Singapore celebrates
global water achievements
Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2010 receives 25% more
nominations, Blue Paper and Solutions published
The Singapore International Water
Week (SIWW) today announced a record
number of 50 nominations received
from more than 20 countries for the
prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
2010. As further testament to its stature
as a key global water solutions platform,
SIWW also launched Blue Paper and
Solutions – a publication that captures the
strategic dialogue and industry imperatives
arising from the successful convergence
of water solutions, policies, leadership
and infrastructure during Singapore
International Water Week 2009.
The announcements were made at the
International Desalination Association’s (IDA)
World Congress on Desalination and Water
Reuse in Dubai where national water agency
PUB and Singapore’s water companies are
showcasing leading water technologies as part
of the Singapore Pavilion.
Launched in 2008 to recognise
revolutionary water innovations and
policies, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize has
grown significantly, and attracted a 25%
increase in the number of nominations,
including first-time submissions from
Brazil, Italy, Kuwait and Norway. In line
with SIWW 2010’s theme of Sustainable
Cities – Clean and Affordable Water, the
Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize encourages
practitioners, academics and policy makers
to nominate individuals or organisations
who have delivered compelling and
practical water solutions across a wider
spectrum of the water industry.
“We are seeing a good spread of
applicants across more diverse areas such
as management of agriculture waters as
well as the protection of coastal zone and
marine life, which are for the first time,
part of the 50 accepted nominations to be
reviewed. This augurs well for the Water
Prize, which will be going into its third
year. We hope this will spur more quality
nominations for the coming years,” said
Singapore International Water Week
Managing Director Michael Toh.
The other 2010 nominations cover areas
such as:
• Application of innovative technologies
for water and used water collection and
treatment, as well as water recycling
• Implementation of revolutionary water
policies and programmes for purposes
like potable water supply, sanitation,
water conservation, water reuse and river
basin management
• Water research in the fields of limnology,
microbial pathogens, novel desalination
and membrane processes
• Administration of humanitarian aid
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2010
will be presented at SIWW 2010, with
SIWW 2010 will be held from
June 28-July 2, 2010
the recipient joining international
water pioneers such as Professor Gatze
Lettinga, whose work in the development
of anaerobic technology in used water
treatment outshone 38 other nominations
to receive the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize in
2009. The recipient will receive S$300,000,
an award certificate and a gold medallion
in recognition of his contributions.
The Blue Paper documents key
discussions among world leaders on how
acute economic pressure to reduce costs on
a global level has made it more critical to
increase water efficiencies.
Speakers at SIWW also encouraged
countries to take advantage of the economic
slowdown to expedite the move towards
attaining water sustainability. Highlights
from the dialogue generated at the event,
and captured in the Blue Paper, include:
• Adopt systems approach towards
efficiency and sustainability: In the global
pursuit for clean energy, water reuse can
no longer stand alone. The interlinked
processes of energy production and waste
management require a systems approach.
Countries need to focus on improving
their infrastructure to integrate systems for
water, food, energy and waste treatment to
not only achieve greater economies of scale
but also contribute to conservation efforts.
• Tap tremendous potential in water reuse:
Only five per cent of the world’s used
water is currently being recycled. As such,
the prospects of reducing pollution and
simultaneously reclaiming water are multifold when more policy-makers realise that
the business of water recycling is feasible
and cost-efficient in the long run.
• Active government involvement: Playing
the role of an enabler, governments are
especially crucial in providing the regulatory
framework for private stakeholders to create
breakthroughs in water innovations. A
well-designed and transparent system can
achieve public policy goals, while balancing
the needs of commercial players.
This open system also allows citizens to
better appreciate the government’s cost
making decisions related to clean water
supplies. As the industry continues to ride
through the recession, more water experts,
including political leaders and solutions
providers, place greater value in global
industry platforms such as the SIWW.
Solutions capture the results of a strong
endorsement of the Week, highlighting new
products and innovations and successful
networking opportunities at events such as
the Water Expo and Business Forums.
Building on the momentum of SIWW’s
success this year, Singapore will hold the next
SIWW, themed Sustainable Cities – Clean and
Affordable Water, from 28 June to 2 July 2010.
SIWW 2010 will address water problems in
an increasingly urbanised environment at
key flagship programmes such as the Water
Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water
Expo and Business Forums.
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
21
marketplace
Calibration & Data Logger guides
Quality managers and others
responsible to maintaining the integrity
of temperature and/or humidity chart
recorders or data loggers, can now
download a comprehensive guide to
all aspects of instrument calibration
at http://www.dicksondata.com/
calibration/calibration_order.php
Chapters of this online guide include:
Explanations of why calibrations are
required; Review of calibration methods
to choose from; A step-by-step guide
to developing calibration schedules;
“Before” Data considerations; Best fit
applications for 1-point, 3-point and
custom point calibrations; Glossary of
calibration terms; Optional Calibration
Club registration
Chris Sorensen, Dickson VP Sales
and Marketing, said: “All instruments
lose accuracy over time due to
normal usage and the environmental
conditions to which they are exposed.
Periodic NIST certified calibrations
maintain the accuracy of your
instrument throughout its life. This
guide is designed to make it very easy
for users of chart recorders and data
loggers to navigate the many choices
in calibration approaches to find the
one that is best-matched to their
application requirements.”
Dickson has also launched online
step-by-step resource guide for finding
best-match technology for monitoring
temperature, humidity, pressure, or
electronic signal events. The Dickson
Data Logger Selection Guide can be
accessed at http://www.dicksondata.
com/article/article_61.php
Multiple selection factors are
provided including instrument displays,
remote probe availability, alarm options,
wireless/Ethernet/battery-operated or
outlet-powered, operating ranges and
cost. Users are able to drill down and
mix and match various features until
they identify the range of instruments
that match their specifications.
New SCADA offering for water
& wastewater applications
Invensys Operations Management has
launched InFusion SCADA 2.0 software
system, with Foxboro SCD2100 and
SCD2200 remote terminal units
for water & wastewater and oil &
gas applications. SCADA systems
technology is used to optimise realtime monitoring, data acquisition,
communications and control for
geographically distributed industrial
operations, especially those in which
data collection and transmission might
be subject to unintended interruptions.
The Invensys offering draws on the
company’s 40 plus years of SCADA
heritage and includes some of the
22
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
industry’s most advanced integration,
interface and control technology
capabilities.
“Robust, reliable monitoring of remote
operations can mean tremendous
savings in reduced downtime, efficient
maintenance and improved security. And
cost-efficient configuration, integration
and scalability translate into further
savings,” said Chris Smith, SCADA
product manager, Invensys Operations
Management. “The new SCADA system
software and RTUs we are announcing
today deliver unprecedented network
SCADA monitoring and supervisory
performance and maintainability
for industry, along with simplified
interaction and management for today’s
rapid-growth SCADA implementations.”
The InFusion SCADA 2.0 package of
software components enable SCADA
developers to create reusable objects
and templates, as well as manage
HMI display properties, data quality,
equipment maintenance tagging and
other functions necessary for rapidly
building powerful, easy-to-use SCADA
applications. The system also stores
program components in a central
repository for remote deployment to
Windows-based network devices. End
user engineers can then draw on this
Sorensen said, “We know that the data
logger or chart recorder that is the best
fit for one user’s application may not
work well for another, and we maintain
the world’s widest selection of top-quality
instruments to ensure you’ll never have
to make do with a less than optimal
instrument match to your application.”
Dickson has also announced web
publication of online support guides—
both in downloadable PDF formats and
as videos on YouTube and the Dickson
web site (http://www.dicksondata.com/
product/model_VFC325.php)--- to help its
customers worldwide to easily monitor
temperature, humidity, pressure and
other electronic signal “events” important
to critical storage. These video or print
support guides can be accessed via the
“SUPPORT” tab on each product page at
www.dicksondata.com.
repository to build future applications,
which enforces standards, preserves
applications knowledge and reduces
the overall engineering effort. System
managers can also propagate changes
to multiple computers with a single
mouse click, reducing travel and SCADA
network troubleshooting costs. As
a backup to customer’s engineering
teams, an InFusion SCADA Device
Low water cut-off/
pump controller
McDonnell & Miller has launched
the new Series 1575 Low Water
Cut-Off / Pump Controller. The
Series 1575 provides continuous
protection against a low water
condition and satisfies pump
control needs for commercial
steam and hot water boilers.
The Series 1575 is used as a low
water cut-off, feed water control
and alarm for boilers, vessels and
tanks and includes a 1Hp pump
relay, as well as adjustable burner
and pump settings.
Other features to enhance its
simplicity, ease of installation and
versatility include:
•Diagnostic features incorporated in
the control:
- High ambient temperature
protection
- Internal LEDs that indicate water
position and condition
-External LEDs that indicate control
activity
•Set points and differentials remain
constant throughout pressure range
•Probe operation diagnostics
- Sensitivity monitor
- Sequence monitor
- Wetted probe monitor
•Adjustable 60-second burner-off
time delays
•Adjustable pump differentials by
cutting probe to desired set points
•Redundant low-water and pump-off
circuitry
•1 Hp burner and pump relay
•Control unit can be mounted in any
convenient location
•Test button standard
•Probe chamber with 3 probes and
gauge glass tappings
•4th probe can be added for high
water control
Relationship Management software
agent provides secure Invensys-based
remote backup for any installed system,
giving the owner more confidence that
any alterations or performance issues
can be monitored and quickly diagnosed
by authorised Invensys expertise.
The new SCD2100 and SCD2200
remote terminal units (RTUs) provide
an advanced, integrated operating
environment for controlling and
monitoring field operations and
collecting real-time data for viewing via
InFusion 2.0 screens or integration
with process control or other
enterprise applications. Both of the
new RTUs support a wide range of
input/output configurations and device
integration, including support for the
HART protocol. They also support
pre-programming of ISaGRAF IEC61131 and IEC 61499 compliant
function blocks, which delivers faster
processing and sequencing than
conventional RTUs that interpret
programming languages at run time.
This provides for more field automation
applications for improved unattended
operations. Both RTUs also include
function blocks certified for oil & gas
industry calculations and are available
with TCP/IP or wireless connectivity.
Some of the key benefits of the
Series 1575 Combination Low Water
Cut-Off/Pump Controllers for Steam
Boilers are:
•Prevents rapid burner and pump
cycling
•Constant operation throughout
pressure range
•Electrical starters not required for
motors up to 1 Hp
•Easy monitoring of operation
•Easy troubleshooting
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
23
advertorial
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The numerous combinations of fluids
to establish a direct presence in the Middle East region and
and solids in sewage place many different
further expand its business, Wilo offers a wide range of pumps demands on a pump solution. Self cooling,
dry well-installed and/or explosion-proof
for the Middle East municipal water management market
motors are standard today.
for sewage and potable water applications. The Wilo pump
The Wilo Sewage submersible pumps can
programme includes end-suction CronoNorm Type NL, Split be equipped with different types of motors
Casing Pump SCP, high pressure Ring Section Pump RSP and like T type for wet pit installation, F, FK
and FKT for dry pit installation. The FKT
Submersible Pump Type FA.
27.1 motor technology has an innovative
closed cooling system with high quality
two-chamber sealing, including integrated
monitoring equipment. It is suitable for
vertical and horizontal installation and
is designed for permanent operation
for wet well and dry well installation.
Significantly, the cooling is independent
of the type of fluid and in the case of dry
well installations, no room ventilation
is necessary. The pit volume can thus be
reduced and building costs saved.
The FA Series can be used in pumping
applications containing solids in sewage
treatment plants, for site drainage, water
storage and process water extraction or for
construction and industrial applications.
The FA series is available in cast iron,
stainless steel and ‘abrasit’ chilled cast
FA Series submersible pump
Wilo-EMU FKT 27.1
Submersible
pump FA
End suction
pump NL
Multistage ring
section pump RN
Split case
pump SCP
Pumps and systems for
building services, industry,
municipal water supply and disposal
Wilo Middle East FZE
Jafza Views LB181605, PO Box 262 720, Jebel Ali Free Zone • Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: + 971 4 886 47 71 • Fax: + 971 4 886 47 70 • info@wilo.ae • www.wilo.com
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iron construction. A major highlight
– the Wilo FA pump can be supplied
with ceramic coating ‘Ceram’ for
protection against corrosive and abrasive
media. Ceram coating is available in
different thicknesses in C0, C1, C2 and
C3 versions. Ceram is cost effective
alternative solution compared to special
materials. For use in critical fluids, the
individual versions can also be combined
with each other.
The FA series is single-stage
submersible monobloc unit with capable
of handling flows up to 8,000m3/hour
and with head up to 100 metres. They are
designed for continuous operating duty
(S1) for wet sump installations as well as
dry sump installations with self cooling
motor. Dry sump installation with dry
motor is available for S2 class operation.
The FA series are available explosion
proof according to ATEX and FM and
comply with IP 68 protection standard.
Wilo FA pumps have been extensively
used in sewage treatment plants and
pumping stations in UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain, Oman, Germany, US, Poland,
Russia, Turkey, China. Major references
include the UAE: Dubai Metro (30
pumps) and Nad Al Sheba (15 pumps);
Wuhan STP, China (16 pumps); pumping
station in Istanbul (three pumps); sewage
disposal stations in Krasnodar, Russia
(11 pumps); sewage treatment plant in
McAlpine Creek, US (23 pumps),
Pumping stations in Kavala,
Greece (18 pumps).
Water pumps
CronoNorm-NL and
SCP are low pressure
centrifugal pumps that
can be used for water
applications as well as in
irrigation, building services,
general industry and power
Wilo SCP
stations. Wilo programme includes
pumps types which are recommended for
pumping heating water in accordance with
VDI 2035, water/glycol mixtures, cooling/
cold water, and industrial or process water.
CronoNorm-NL and SCP are operated
with electric motors that meet IP 55
protection standard.
CronoNorm-NL is a centrifugal, single
stage low pressure pump, mounted on a
base plate and designed in accordance with
EN 733, ISO 5199 standards. The pump is
capable of handling flows with capacities
up to 3,000 m3/hour and head up to 140
metres. This pump is designed with axial
inlet suction and flanged with bearing
bracket, and assembled with electrical
motor with flexible coupling in-between.
CronoNorm-NL can handle fluids in the
temperature range of -8 degree C to +
120 degree C. The nominal suction side
diameter is from DN 65 to DN 500, while
the nominal pressure side diameter is
from DN 50 to DN 400. The maximum
operating pressure is up to 16 or 25 bar,
depending on type and use.
CronoNorm-NL is available with free
shaft end or as a completely mounted
pump on base plate with electric motor.
The pump housing is grey cast iron (EN
– GJL 250) spiral body with anti-rotation
ribs, axially aligned suction piece with
flanged bearing bracket and axis mounting
for flexibly coupled drives. Dimensions
and hydraulics are in accordance with
DIN EN 733 and flanges correspond
to DN 2533 PN 16 (DN 200 - PN
10/DIN 2532). Standard shaft
mechanical seal is AQ1EGG
for water temperatures up to
120 degree C or packing gland
for water temperatures up to
110 degree C. The impeller is
available in grey cast iron (EN
– GJL 250) as well as in bronze
(CC480K-GS). Standard electric
CronoNorm-NL
(cross-section)
26
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
supply is 3~400 V, 50 Hz.
CronoNorm-NL pump is equipped with
Burgmann mechanical seal with conical
sealing chamber. The option of spacer
coupling makes it possible to leave the
motor in position when removing the rotor
unit. Other special features include shaft
protection, SPM connections for vibration
measurement and temperature sensors. The
pump is designed according to DIN ISO
5199. The pump bearings come in 2Z version
lubricated for life. Accessories include a
pump control system for automatic, stageless power control of pumps.
Wilo Split Case Pump SCP is a
centrifugal pump coupled with electric
motor coupled on base plate. SCP is
available in single-stage and two-stage and
can handle flows up to 3,400 m3/hour
(higher performance models up to 17,000
m3/hr are also available) and head up to
245 metres. In terms of construction, the
pump housing is made of cast iron (ENGJL-250), the impeller is constructed of
G-CuSn ZnPb (special brass) while the
shaft is X12cr13 (special stainless steel).
SCP is also available in high grade duplex
stainless steel for seawater RO desalination.
To reduce environmental impact, the SCP
range is the first in its market segment to
comply with the European RoHS directive
in configuration R.
The pump can be delivered as a complete
unit (pump with coupling, coupling
protection, motor and base plate) or
without motor or only pump hydraulics. It
comes with two shaft seals - mechanical seal
or gland packing. Standard electric supply is
3~400 V, 50 Hz, medium and high voltage
versions are available as options.
Wilo also offers multi-stage highpressure, high-flow Ring Section Pumps
(RSP) that can be used for RO sea
water desalination, and also in high rise
buildings, boiler feed service, fire fighting,
condensate transfer and mine dewatering.
It can handle flows up to 1,500 m3/ hour
and head up to 1,400 metres. The multistage range is very wide and includes
pump types RN, HS, PB/IPB and PJ
Plurovanes. The RSP is equipped with
a ‘Balance Valve’ arrangement, which
automatically balances high axial thrusts
encountered in multi stage pumps. Wilo
RSP is available in cast iron, bronze, cast
steel and stainless steel (duplex and super
duplex) constructions. The pump is
supplied in horizontal configuration.
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
Desal Diary - I
Dubai plays host to the 13th International Desalination Association
(IDA) World Congress - Part I of a comprehensive report
T
he bi-annual International Desalination Association
(IDA) World Congress, held from November 7-12,
2009, in Dubai, was hosted by DIT-TechnoPark,
the science and technology facilitator of Economic
Zones World (EZW). The event was held under the
patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The IDA World Congress on
Desalination and Water Reuse was
officially opened by H.H. Sheikh Majid
Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Chairman of the Dubai Culture and
Arts Authority. The opening ceremony
was attended by Federal Ministers and
senior government officials from the
UAE and other GCC countries including
H.E. Mohammed Bin Dha’en Al Hameli,
Minister of Energy; H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmad
bin Fahad, Minister of Environment &
Water, UAE; H.E. Abdullah Al Hussayen,
Minister of Water and Electricity, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Eng Fahmi Al Jowder,
Minister of Electricity and Water, Kingdom
of Bahrain, along with delegations,
corporate leaders and industry experts
from across the world.
Sheikh Majid presented the ‘IDA World
Water Masters Award’ to Dr Farouk El
Baz, Research Professor and Director of
the Centre for Remote Sensing at Boston
University for his extensive research and
significant work in groundwater storage
and recovery. Under the leadership of El
Baz, scientists from Centre conducted
extensive research, located and mapped
the highest levels of an underground dry
lake in northern Darfur. This discovery
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
27
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
has been followed up with the launch
of the 1001 Wells Project, an ambitious
humanitarian initiative to provide access
to water to thousands of Darfur refugees,
living facing an acute scarcity of water.
The IDA has decided to name the first
of the 1001 wells in Darfur after El Baz,
in recognition of his untiring efforts to
implement the project. (See Box on The
Darfur Initiative.)
The opening ceremony also featured
the launch of the Excellence Centre for
Integrated Water Management, a world
class initiative to undertake applied
research in Water Cycles, sustainable
solutions for the ecosystem and the proper
use of water resources by Salma Hareb,
CEO of Economic Zones World.
Environment to the fore
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E.
Mohammed Bin Dha’en Al Hameli, UAE
Minister of Energy, said: “Despite the
advances that have been achieved in water
desalination internationally and regionally,
the world water situation is worsening
due to the inadequate availability of clean
water, population increases, wastage and
bad practices in water usage. ... it has
become incumbent upon us all to take a
serious stand and to keep doing all we can
to conserve water irrespective of its source
including desalinated water, through
encouraging research and scientific
experimentation to develop new designs
for desalination plants which are cost
effective, technologically advanced and
environmentally friendly so that we can
achieve desalination for a better world.”
In his speech, Dr Rashid Ahmad bin
Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and
Water, pointed out that there are more than
30 desalination plants operating in the
UAE with a capacity of 1.3 billion m3/year
meeting 98% of the country’s water needs.
He revealed that future projections indicate
increase in demand from 1.5 billion m3/year
to 5 billion m3/year by 2020. In light of these
forecasts, the Ministry of Environment
and Water, in cooperation with its strategic
partners, is currently working to develop
strategies to maintain water resources and
manage the demand to ensure sustainability.
In order to mitigate climate change, the
UAE is also examining the options of
using nuclear and renewable energy in
desalination processes.
In a statistics-packed address to the
28
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Darfur initiative
TechnoPark has brought together Boston
University Centre for Remote Sensing and Dubaibased Concorde-Corodex Group to augment the
scope of 1001 Wells Project in Darfur
TechnoPark, the Economic Zones World
subsidiary, extended its commitment
to sustainable water and energy
solutions with its strong support of the
1001 Wells Project in Darfur, a mega
United Nations initiative by the Boston
University Centre for Remote Sensing
under the direction of Dr Farouk El Baz,
the Centre’s Director.
A Memorandum of Understanding
was signed by TechnoPark, the Boston
University Centre for remote sensing
and Concorde-Corodex Group on the
sidelines of the IDA World Congress
2009. Concorde-Corodex Group
will donate a fully integrated mobile
desalination plant, which normally costs
about US$250,000, for the first well to
be drilled in Darfur. The unit generates
100,000 litres of fresh water per day and
has the potential to provide water for up
to 4,000 refugees in the affected region.
The Darfur 1001 Wells Project is an
ambitious humanitarian initiative to
provide access to water to thousands
of Darfur refugees living under
grave conditions, including acute
scarcity of water. Water shortages are
widely considered the cause of the
humanitarian crisis in Darfur region of
northwestern Sudan.
Boston University’s Centre for Remote
Sensing is identifying the site for the
1001 wells to be drilled in northern
Darfur as part of the project, and will
ensure the proper functioning of the
desalination plant and that engineers
and technicians are well trained.
TechnoPark will co-ordinate the
deployment of the desalination plant
and ensure its successful initiation.
Hamad Al Hashemi, Managing
Director of Dubai Institute of Technology
- TechnoPark said: “We are very proud
to have played a part in this initiative. I
commend all parties involved for their
strong support and compassionate
donations which will go a long way in
bringing about sustainable drinking
water to affected areas in Darfur.”
Concorde-Corodex Group’s
desalination unit is a mobile container
that desalinates brackish water and
disinfects it for human use. The
Dubai-based group will also supply the
consumable chemicals and filters as well
as train local technicians and engineers
in the operation of the unit.
Firas Awad, General Manager,
Concorde-Corodex Group, said: “While
we are a corporate entity, we are very
committed to humanitarian initiatives.
Water is the best gift of all. It is as good as
the gift of life. We are proud to support
TechnoPark and Boston University in this
humanitarian mission.”
Regional Business Development
Director : Programme Management
Based Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Very Attractive Salary Package
MWH is one of the World’s largest wet infrastructure and environmental service
companies. With over 6,500 staff operating throughout 40 countries, we offer skills
in engineering, business consultancy, design and construction. We believe we
make a difference and the work of our staff contributes to making a better and more
sustainable World.
In the Middle East, our offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Jordan offer
specialist services on water and wastewater management to Governments,
Developers, Industries, Funding Organisations and Institutions. We are looking to
recruit a pivotal position based in the UAE, where the role will assist the MWH
Directors in achieving its corporate strategy.
This position will contribute to the growing Middle East market by providing
programme management-related business development expertise and exceptional
client service delivery. The successful candidate will be involved in managing the
entire programme management function for the Middle East.
The Business Development Director will need to ensure that MWH achieves
successful business development, enhanced revenue and growth. In order to
attain successful delivery, they need to ensure that strong existing and new client
relationships are developed and guarantee work is delivered on time, to cost and of
a high quality standard.
We want the best, so experience within the engineering or wet infrastructure market is
essential, with an in-depth knowledge of the sector as well as having widespread contacts
within the Middle East marketplace. The successful candidate must also demonstrate
an ability to grow the company and show an adherence to business ethics.
As a member of the senior management team, regular travel is required.
MWH is looking for the highest calibre individual for this position, so the successful
candidate must also be an excellent salesperson, have at least 15 years experience
of working within the Middle East, be fluent in both English and Arabic and hold a
degree or masters level qualification in engineering or other relevant subject.
To Apply
If you feel you meet all these requirements and want to be part of an exciting and
growing company which offers excellent terms and conditions of
employment, please send your CV to dubai.recruitment@mwhglobal.com.
Closing date for all applications is Sunday 7th February 2010. Interviews to take
place shortly after this.
Building a Better World
Our employees are our greatest assets and we will grow, inspire and protect them. MWH is
committed to actively encouraging diversity through our people and our activities, as we
truly believe in the value of a diverse workforce to both inspire our people and grow our
business.
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
audience, H.E. Abdullah Al Hussayen,
Minister of Water and Electricity, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, wondered that the
proliferation of statistics on the global
water condition belied the notion that
the world has a firm grasp on the extent
and depth of the impact of the shortfall
in potable water and sanitation. He said:
“If we continue with the way we use water,
an additional one trillion m3/year would
be needed to feed the extra three billion
expected to populate the earth by 2025.
The only feasible solution is improved
efficiency.” As agriculture consumes 80%
of water resources worldwide, improving
irrigation efficiency from the current
35% to 50% is a low tech and affordable
option for most nations. Stressing on the
need to reduce per capita consumption
in municipal use, Al Hussayen said: “If
Munich, one of the prosperous cities in
a prosperous nation (Germany) with
enormous resources can make do with 90100 litres per day per person, so can rest of
the world. Obviously, wealth and cost of
product don’t tell the whole story.”
The Saudi minister also peppered his
National body to regulate desalination
needed: DIT-Technopark Workshop
Global experts and local stakeholders taking part in the
Environment and Water Workshop organised by Dubai Institute
of Technology -TechnoPark, the fully-owned subsidiary of
Economic Zones World, called for a national regulatory body
under the UAE Federal Government to monitor and regulate
the desalination industry and address all related issues.
The workshop, held with the support of the UAE Ministry
of Environment and Water, Ministry of Energy and the IDA,
also recommended that desalination management should be
brought under the scope of Integrated Water Management in
order to ensure long-term sustainability.
The event, held on the sidelines of the IDA World Congress
2009 aimed at bringing into sharper focus desalination and its
impact on the environment and seeking possibilities to establish
a framework for future strategies that can ensure sustainability.
H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, UAE Minster of
Environment & Water, opened the workshop at the Atlantis
on November 7. His Excellency Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais,
Managing Director for Electricity Affairs, at the UAE Ministry
of Energy, Hamad Al Hashemi, Managing Director, Dubai
Institute of Technology – TechnoPark, and Lisa Henthorne, IDA
addressed the opening session.
Mohammed Saqr Al Asam, General Manager, Ras Al
Khaimah Municipality and former assistant under secretary,
Ministry of Environment & Water, moderated the sessions
where a line up of national and international experts on
desalination, water management and environment presented
papers and led interactive discussions.
Divided into five main sessions, the workshop saw 15 papers
being presented and discussed by 72 participants representing
federal and local governments, academies, institutes,
organisations, environment authorities and the private sector.
The session themes were highly focused on areas close to the
water and environment sectors, each coming up with clues to
solutions for the issues and suggestions for implementation.
The subjects covered included Desalination & Environment,
Red tide, Alternative Energy in Desalination, Desalination
Operations & Monitoring Policies, and Integrated Water
Management. The question-answer sessions that followed each
presentation supplemented the discussions.
Mohammed Saqr Al Asam said: “The themes of discussion
were carefully selected due to their particular relevance to this
30
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
region today. This workshop gave us an opportunity to engage
with the top minds in the industry to find solutions and set a
strategic direction for the future. We are very pleased with the
overall response from all participants and hope our proposed
framework will go a long way in promoting sustainable
practices in the desalination industry not just in the country but
also the region.”
The panel reached a common agreement towards balanced
sustainability based on economic, human and ecological
developments. It put forth several other recommendations in
addition to a call for a regulatory authority.
The workshop also urged enhancement and improvement
of environmental legislation on pollution. The panel called for
additional attention to be given to the issue of post-desalination
flow of salt into sea and harmful gas emissions. The experts also
urged adapting best practices in the desalination industry.
In addition, the workshop recommended setting up of
regional level bodies to strengthen co-operation in the field of
desalination and in sharing expertise and information because
of the similarity of applied desalination technologies, types of
feed water, prevailing climatic conditions and environmental
impacts of desalination plants.
The workshop stressed the need for the establishment of an
efficient monitoring programme on a national level in order to
assess and test desalination by-products and to minimise public
health risks and to protect the marine industry.
The workshop also proposed that scientific research
be enhanced locally to examine innovative solutions for
desalination including reducing environmental problems of the
industry and improving energy utilisation.
“The Environment and Water Workshop fulfilled DITTechnoPark’s aim of bringing together experts from the sector
to address a very critical issue facing the region,” Hamad Al
Hashemi, Managing Director, Dubai Institute of Technology –
TechnoPark, said while commenting on the event.
“We wanted to present a platform where issues related to the
entire spectrum of water management could be discussed and a
pointer towards sustainable solutions could be marked. This is
part of TechnoPark’s core vision and the workshop succeeded in
achieving it. We are thankful to the Ministries for their support
and the experts and local stakeholders who responded to our
call,” he said.
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
speech with stand-out analogies to drive
home his points. To mention just two:
“Lack of water and sanitation services
kills about 4,500 children every day. To put
this number in perspective, it is as if 10
jumbo jets fall off the sky every day.”
“Imagine if all the water in planet earth
is put in a container with a capacity of 26
gallons – the amount that is available for
human consumption doesn’t exceed half a
table spoon.”
Al Hussayen also pointed out that
despite the desalination industry’s rapid
growth, less than one per cent of the world’s
population is served by desalination.
Moreover, the cost reductions achieved
through improvements in desalination
technology have been offset by increased
labour and material costs. For example, the
lowest tendered price for the Ras Azzour
project in Saudi Arabia (one million m3/year
of water and 1,000 MW of electricity) was
$1.2/m3, the highest ever offered compared
to 19 cents/m3 awarded for a similar plant
three years ago. “While the world financial
crisis had something to with that, the trend
is definitely not down,” he noted.
Singapore’s System Approach
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the
Environment and Water Resources,
Singapore highlighted the progress and
achievements of Singapore International
Water Week (SIWW), which has emerged
as the Asia Pacific region’s premier water
event for policymakers, industry leaders,
experts and practitioners in the water
industry. Ibrahim revealed that Singapore
is undertaking detailed studies on the city
state’s vulnerability to climate change by
localising the IPCC regional models to
its specific circumstances to identify the
adaptation responses needed. He shared
Bahrain
generates
about 143 MIGD
of desalinated
water and 2,800
MW of electricity
from power and
water stations
insights from a discussion on the ‘systems
approach’ to water management at the
Water Leaders Summit in SIWW. “This
(systems approach) centres on the notion
that water is not managed in isolation but
is an integral part of a bigger system, along
with energy, food, waste and health,” he
explained. For instance, water treatment
and distribution require energy, while
water is also needed in energy production.
In the same vein, by-products such as biogas could be reclaimed from wastewater
treatment process to generate electricity
and improve the overall efficiency of the
treatment. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim concluded
his address by highlighting the strides
made by PUB Singapore to improve
resource efficiency. As part of its target
of reducing energy consumption by
10%, PUB has successfully implemented
measures like sludge incineration, facility
optimisation and energy reclamation.
The Bahrain experience
In his address, H.E. Eng Fahmi Al Jowder,
Environmental Task Force
The International Desalination Association (IDA) has set up a task force to explore
the environmental effects of desalination on the Arabian Gulf and recommend
strategies to mitigate potential impacts. Desalination is especially important to
countries on the Arabian Gulf. Together, these countries including the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and
Iran, account for approximately 40% of the world’s desalination capacity. At the
same time, the unique configuration of the Arabian Gulf – a semi-closed water
body with limited fresh water inflow from rivers – requires diligent attention to
potential effects of the process. The task force, which will be composed of leading
scientists, environmental experts, government representatives and members of the
desalination community.
32
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Minister of Electricity & Water, Kingdom
of Bahrain, touched upon “four vital issues
of contemporary and unanimous concern,”
namely, management of water, desalination
and water re-use, use of renewable energy
for desalination and protection of the
environment. Al Jowder blamed inefficient
management and irrational use of water
for the water crisis confronting the world
today. Commenting on the water scenario
in the GCC region, he said: “In the arid
zones of Arabian Gulf region where
desalination is the main source of water,
water management is the focal point of
sustaining economic development. At the
present rate of consumption, it is estimated
that the Arabian Gulf region will require
32 billion m3/year of water by 2010 and
around 50 billion m3/year by 2025. Such
a huge demand necessitates wise water
demand management.”
The water control required for water
demand management can be achieved
by adopting a conservation and realistic
pricing strategy in the short term and
integrated water resources management
approach in the long term so as to better
manage the water resources.
Touching on Bahrain’s privatisation
experience, he said despite misgivings,
Bahrain has adopted privatisation of
electricity and water as an important step
to achieving its 2030 vision of economic
development. Bahrain first toyed with
the privatisation of water in 2002, when
the Electricity & Water Authority (EWA)
signed an agreement with aluminium
producer ALBA Bahrain to purchase seven
million gallons of potable water from the
latter to distribute to its customers. In
2006, the second privatisation milestone
was achieved with EWA selling its biggest
water and electricity production facility –
the Al Hidd Electricity and Water Station
– to the Hidd Power Company. “The
primary benefit was that we didn’t need to
worry about operation and maintenance
costs,” said Al Jowder. The third milestone
of water privatisation in Bahrain will take
place when the Al Dur project, which
will be fully built and operated by the
private sector, becomes operational in June
2010. “The project will have a capacity
of 48MIGD (218,000 m3/day) of water
and 1,234MW of electricity. The water
production will further increased to 100
million gallons in the next phase,” the
minister revealed.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.fleminggulf.com
Gulf Wastewater Treatment
& Reuse Conference
8th-10th February 2010, Dubai, UAE
WHICH QUESTIONS DOES THIS EVENT
ANSWER?
KEY SPEAKERS
Francis Ato Brown, World Bank, US
Sector Manager Water, MENA Region
Mohammed Najem, Dubai Municipality
Director of Wastewater Treatment
What are the current standard and policies in
practice laid by the governments & the initiatives
undertaken by the Municipalities
Dr. Imad Haffar, Palm Water, Dubai
Managing Director
What does it take to build a world class STP?
Abdullah Alhashimi, Haya Water Company, Oman
General Manager Projects
What is the most optimum technology required
for the successful running of an STP
Aamer Sarfarz, Dubai Sports City, UAE
Project Manager – Infrastructure
Matthew Plumbridge, Department of Municipal Affairs, Emirate of
Abu Dhabi
Consultant, Environmental & Sustainability Planning
Olivier Crasson, Ajman Sewerage Company
General Manager
What are the strategies to minimize costs of
Wastewater treatment
How is wastewater put to the most optimum
reuse
Ibrahim Elwan, TANQIA, UAE
Chairman
Matthew Nathan, HSBC Bank Middle East
Associate Director
WHOM YOU WILL MEET
Craig Marsh, Macquarie Capital, UAE
Senior Vice President
Job Titles:
Tony Sole, Palm Utilities, UAE
Chief Financial Office
Dr. Walid Abderrahman, Miahona, Saudi Arabia
Managing Director
Government officials, Regulators, Chairman’s, Presidents, CEOs, MD’s,
Head of Wastewater, Project Manager, Plant Manager, Operations
Manager, CFOs, Heads of Investments, Heads of Project Finance,
Heads of Strategy, Lawyers, Economists, Consultants
KEY TOPICS
Organizations:
The robust demand for Wastewater Treatment in the GCC
Ministry of Water, Regulatory Bodies, Sewage Treatment Plants, Water
Companies, Banks, Insurance Companies, Real Estate Developers,
Water Technology, EPC Contractors, Law Firms
Implementation & Initiatives of stringent regulations by
Government bodies for a Green
Environment
Expanding existing sewerage plants – The need of the hour
Implementation of Wastewater projects in different regions by the Municipalities
Financing Wastewater projects across the region
Centralized and De-Centralized Wastewater Treatment
Immediate
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for H20 Magazine
subscribers!
Contact Details: e-mail: maria.luminita@fleminggulf.com, tel.: +971 4 6091 575, fax: +971 4 6091 589
For agenda inquiries please use the code: DBRE15H20
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cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
Al Jowder also underlined the need
to develop alternative energy resources
in the Gulf countries because the main
challenge for new water and electricity
projects in the future would be sufficient
availability natural gas. He said, “Bahrain
generates about 143 MIGD of desalinated
water and 2,800 MW of electricity from
power and water stations that consume
nearly 500 million cubic feet of fossil every
day. The required amount of natural gas
has almost doubled in less than a decade
which alone requires serious consideration
in finding potential alternative resource
of energy including renewable energy.”
He revealed that EWA has constituted a
committee to assess renewable energy as an
alternative energy resource for production
of water and electricity in Bahrain.
Al Jowder also called upon the
desalination industry to help mitigate
the environmental concerns associated
with desalination. He said: “Concentrated
brine from desalination plants with high
salt content, elevated temperatures and
chemicals residues are discharged into the
oceans and seas with little no treatment. In
fact, chemical residues should be treated to
the greatest extent possible. Thermal and
high salinity effluents should be dealt with
on-site before being discharged into them
in a way they circulate with the currents
and diffuse harmlessly. There is also need
for strict legislation for quality control
on the discharge of effluents from the
desalination plants into the sea.” Al Jowder
concluded his address by inviting the IDA
Environmental Taskforce to host its first
meeting in Bahrain in 2010.
Future of membranes
The keynote address of the 13th IDA
World Congress was delivered by David
H Koch, co-owner and Executive Vice
President of Koch Industries and President
of Koch Membrane Systems, who dwelled
on Koch Industries’ initial involvement
with water treatment membranes in
1963, when it provided start up capital to
Professor Raymond Baddour of MIT to set
up the ABCOR Company to commercialise
his research. ABCOR was later acquired
by Koch Industries and renamed Koch
Membrane Systems (KMS). Subsequent
acquisitions by KMS included Romicon,
a producer of hollow-fibre capillary Ultra
Filtration (UF) membranes, Fluid Systems,
which commercialised the Spiral Wound
Reverse Osmosis membranes under
the ROGA brand and Puron, a German
developer of MBR technology.
Koch revealed out he has given more
attention to his membrane business
than to any of his other businesses over
the past 10 years. He continued, “People
frequently ask me how the executive vice
president and major shareholder of a
$115 billion per annum corporation can
justify spending two days a week with
a $110 million per annum subsidiary?
The answer is simple – I believe there
still remain enormous opportunities to
improve membrane products as well as
almost unlimited opportunities for growth
in this business. While technical changes
in the past 20 years have transformed
our industry, I believe that there are
more changes in store particularly in the
formulation of membranes which will lead
to further improvements.”
He noted that a key factor that has
enabled the desalination industry to
grow rapidly has been its commitment
to innovations whether it was thermal
technologies or membranes.
Declaring that he is a firm believer in
Technical tour
The technical plant site tour organised by Palm Water at the IDA World Congress
proved to be very popular with over 200 participating delegates signing up for
the visits. The three hour tour of the sites at Palm Jumeirah included the SWRO
desalination plant, sewage treatment plant, treated sewage effluent polishing
plant, odor control plant and district cooling plants. Visitors had opportunity
to understand the environmental and financial benefits of the synergy between
water treatment and district cooling. They also explored one of the world’s largest
reverse osmosis energy recovery systems at the SWRO plant to reduce energy
consumption and the Dolphin chemical free water treatment system in the chiller
plant of Palm District Cooling, a sister subsidiary of Palm Utilities. They also had a
firsthand experience of the MBR system in sewage treatment.
34
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
the concept of economies of scale and its
relevance to membrane desalination, Koch
predicted that large diameter elements
will supplant the current 8-inch diameter
industry standard elements due to their
cost effectiveness. He explained, “It is a
well known principle that the larger a piece
of equipment or system, the lower is the
cost per unit of the product handled by
that equipment or system. Our experiences
demonstrate that RO plants using large
diameter elements reduce the footprint of
the plant by up to 50% compared to those
using standard 8-inch diameter elements.
The large size elements have also proved
to be invaluable in shortening project
construction schedules to meet tight
delivery requirements.”
Koch ventured forth to declare that
low pressure UF membranes will have a
greater overall impact on the drinking
water and wastewater industry than RO.
He said: “There is a definite trend to
embrace economies of scale in UF and
MBR systems; it is possible to use vessels
containing UF hollow fibres that are
over one metre in diameter and almost
2.5 metres tall resulting in significant
reductions in the plant footprint size and
overall cost of treatment plant. These
large sized vessels contain 25 to 50 times
membrane area of older 5-inch to 10
inch diameter UF water cartridges most
commonly used.”
Koch noted that there are possibilities
for improving the composition of
membranes used in the elements.
For example, the thin film composite
membranes used in RO elements
can be improved to operate at low
transmembrane pressures and provide
greater rejection of salt. UF membranes
used in MBR or drinking water
purification applications could be
improved to make them more resistant
to cleaning chemical degradation and
increase their life span. As with RO
membranes, UF membranes could also be
made to operate at lower pressures with
superior rejection.
The KMS president also stressed on the
need to reduce membrane manufacturing
costs while working to improve the
geometry of membrane elements and
upgrade the performance of membranes.
He recommended investments in
automation and computer controlled
manufacturing lines to cap labour costs
and improve the performance consistency
of the membranes.
Towards the end of his address, Koch
donned the prediction hat to announce
what he felt would be the key trends
dominating the desalination market in the
next decade.
While energy prices have declined from
their 2008 peaks, there is a strong possibility
that future prices could escalate dramatically.
This likelihood is persuading customers
to pay more attention to the energy costs
in system design, which in turn, is driving
innovations in membrane composition
formulations, energy recovery devices and
more energy efficient process designs.
Customers will look beyond initial
capital cost to focus on the overall life cycle
costs of their desalination or wastewater
treatment systems. The trend of life cycle
cost analysis will grow as more customers
realise that low initial capital cost doesn’t
necessarily equate to better value. For
industry, the challenge will be to develop
ever smarter ways to reduce life cycle costs
even as customers restructure the bidding
process to achieve their objective of
purchasing systems with lowest capital and
operating costs.
Koch called upon the desalination
industry to work towards resolving the
environmental impact of desalination in
the same way they would address other
engineering challenges. “With larger water
treatment plants being built, the potential
impact on the environment is bigger than
ever,” he observed. He also called on the
industry to educate customers. “We see
people paying a premium for bottled water
and then complaining about the quality of
water in the tap. The industry knows what
goes into producing great quality water.
We need to help our customers value that
effort,” he said.
Lisa Henthorne, the outgoing President
of IDA, in her closing remarks, said:
“The theme of our Congress is meant to
capture our hope for the future and the
vision we want to inspire in our industry.
Desalination and water reuse offer
our growing population what nothing
else can – an abundant source of fresh
water through which our health can be
maintained, our economies can prosper,
our standard of living can be enhanced,
and water can be recycled repeatedly,
thereby minimising our environmental
footprint on our planet.”
Desal
review
Christopher Gasson, publisher of Global Water
Intelligence, sat down with Samantha Keck during
the IDA Congress in Dubai and shared his insights on
present and future of the desalination industry.
H
unkering
down on the
sofa in the
IDA Congress
press room,
Christopher Gasson
proclaimed: “This is the
home of desalination. This
is the place where it all
started.” The desalination
industry’s fortunes in this
region have always tied
inextricably to the price
of oil, the region’s main
revenue earner.
When the oil price was low, nobody
paid much attention; but the spectacular
increase in oil prices resulted in
unprecedented economic growth and in
the past five years, the region’s desalination
industry too has grown, especially on the
membrane side. “If you were to look at
the main water providers in this region
five years ago, 70-80% of the water would
have come from Multi-Stage Flash (MSF)
distillation. But today, there is not only
tremendous growth in the industry, but for
the first time in 10 years, there is a lot more
of membrane desalination happening in
this region,” said Gasson. Commenting on
the mindset change, Gasson said: “Back in
the 1990s, when a membrane desalination
plant failed in Bahrain, everyone shied
away from membrane technology. Even
though the failure had occurred in the
pre-treatment and not the membrane,
the failure was a huge catastrophe for
membrane desalination concept in the
region. The company that made the
membrane eventually exited the market.
But now the confidence in RO desalination
is back.” However, Gasson also pointed out
it will be a while before RO desalination
reaches the size and scale of thermal
desalination.
The thermal side of the desalination
story has also seen its fair share of
improvements, with technology
improvements steering thermal
desalination towards Multiple Effect
Distillation (MED). Gasson said: “There
is a greater market share today for MED.
Historically, MED was not applied to
more than 40,000 m3/day capacity due to
the lack of economies of scale. But in the
last few years, the improvements in MED
technology have enabled economies of
scale to be achieved. The second largest
desalination plant in the world, Jubail,
with a capacity of 800,000 m3/day uses
MED technology.”
However, Gasson was emphatic that
the future of desalination lies with RO as
its energy requirement is much less
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
35
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
compared to thermal desalination.
The highest energy consumption is by
MSF which requires roughly 3kWhr/m3
of electrical energy excluding the thermal
energy it consumes. RO, on the other hand,
requires around 4kWhr/m3 of electricity
to produce water. “We must remember
that outside of this region, membrane
desalination is the dominant technology,
rounding up two-thirds of the market. The
rest of the world cares more about energy
costs,” said the GWI Publisher.
Public versus private
ownership
Moving on to the changing nature of
ownership in the desalination industry,
Gasson pointed out that the privatisation
trend is growing in the region, where even
as recently as 2002, public water authorities
set up and operated desalination plants.
In fact, the GCC countries have been
moving steadily towards privatisation,
with Abu Dhabi showing leadership in
this regard. Gasson continued, “I think
the main reason why a lot of governments
moved towards privatisation in the region
is because of the poor performance by the
public water companies. This move has
seen the power of government utilities
gradually giving way to private sector
companies. Some private companies have
actually done extremely well. For example,
ACWA Power International of Saudi
Arabia has come out of nowhere. In 2003,
they had like seven employees, and today,
they are employing thousands. ACWA
Power has grown from the new kid on the
36
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
block to having been contracted to produce
around 60% of the capacity of Shuqaiq.
And their success is not only attributed to
the growth of the desalination market. In
order to catch up to the big boys, ACWA
Power actually demonstrated some real
innovation in their design and thinking.”
Moving back to the public versus private
debate, Gasson noted that privatisation has
not-so-obvious benefits too. He continued:
“Certainly if you look at Saudi Arabia,
privatisation has been triggered by the
need for better performance. There, the
private sector not only takes care of the
desalination plants but also the running of
the water distribution networks to reduce
the high incidence of leakages, typically
between 10 – 20%. In many cities, the
private sector is also the main motivation
to provide 24/7 water. What the authorities
have actually discovered is that when
you have 24/7 water, water consumption
actually goes down.”
When blue actually
becomes green
Gasson claimed that the desalination
industry is sitting up and taking notice of
its impact on the environment. He said,
“If you came to the IDA Congress six years
ago, there was hardly any interest at all in
the environmental impact of desalination.
The industry has since become a lot more
conscious of that. I think we are seeing
technologies being developed to offset
the environmental impact as a result of
this growing awareness as well as the new
regulations introduced for desalination
Privatisation
itself has led
to a lot of
innovation in
technology as
people have to
compete hard,
and then deliver
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
processes. In Australia, for instance,
all the desalination plants have been built
with extreme intakes and outfalls so that
the marine life is left undisturbed. In fact
in some ways, you can argue that marine
life has been enhanced by the presence
of the desalination plant. The plant
provides structure to the sea bed and
attracts all sorts of creatures that were
not there before.”
With the setting up of the IDA
environmental taskforce in the region,
Gasson believes that environmental
issues unique to this part of the
world would be dealt with in a more
focused manner. He said: “There are
two main environmental impacts
from desalination plants. One is the
intake which is the impingement and
entrapment of marine life. On the
output side, you have the chemicals used
in desalination that is washed out to sea.
One of the main problems in the Gulf is
that the water here is quite shallow. And
with hotter temperatures in this part of
the world, the water tends to get more
saline. If you have a lot of discharge into
warm shallow water, it might not mix as
well as it should.”
The next golden egg
At the opening of the IDA Congress,
Gasson announced that the total capacity
of desalination plants now online has
increased 12.2% year-on-year, to almost
60 million m3/day. This is the fastest rate
of industry growth since the early 1980s.
Of this, the most significant growth factor
has been seawater desalination. From the
last IDA Congress in November 2007, the
installed capacity of seawater desalination
plants has grown by almost 30%, to
approximately 36 million m3/day .
Gasson pointed out that the reasons
for this growth are several, one of which
is the rise in demand for water not being
met by declining non-renewable ground
water. The sea offers a guaranteed supply
of water; moreover, seawater desalination
has also become more affordable in
comparison with the alternatives.
So will this region continue to drive
the desalination industry forward?
Gasson answered that this region may
not remain the driver of industry growth
as in the past. With the regional economy
having taken a battering, many projects
have been delayed or cancelled. Many of
38
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Christopher Gasson
I think we are
coming to a
stage where
countries
cannot delay
addressing the
water scarcity
issue any longer
the small- and medium-scale desalination
plants have been put on hold because
the off-shore developments they were
meant to serve have not materialised yet.
In the same breath, he highlighted the
emergence of North Africa where countries
are considering desalination on a large
scale for the first time. “Previously, there
had only been Sharm El-Sheikh, where
desalination was on a small scale to serve
a hotel. Libya had historically relied on a
man-made river, now they are looking at
supplementing this river with seawater
desalination. And in Morocco, they have
plans for a very large desalination plant
that will change the way Casablanca
is supplied. The plan will see to it that
Casablanca no longer takes water from
the South but from the sea,” said Gasson.
He also named India and China as strong
markets to watch out for. “Traditional
markets like Spain and Algeria are cooling
down for a variety of reasons. Istanbul
probably needs to start thinking about
desalination seriously. There are also new
markets opening up in the US too. I think
we are coming to a stage where countries
cannot delay addressing the water scarcity
issue any longer,” said Gasson.
Never the twain shall meet?
After having deliberated much on the
supply side of things, what about the other
end of the pole? Gasson laughed and said:
“There are two ways to deal with the issue
of sustainability of water. Either one can
improve the technology to increase supply
or one can change behaviour to manage
demand. One significant implication of
technological improvements is that they
don’t encourage a change in demand
behaviour. Consumption per head in this
region tends to be over a 1000 litres a day.
Ideally, it should be brought down to around
200 litres a day. But getting through with
the necessary behavioural changes will be
very hard. In Saudi Arabia, for example, you
will need to introduce a much higher tariff
to discourage water wastage. People should
not expect to have beautiful green gardens
in the desert. But the real impact on demand
management will be in context of agricultural
use rather than domestic use. And that
problem is on a global scale. Why should
people grow alfalfa for cows? When you
have so little water to be turning that water
into food is crazy, especially when you could
import food at a much cheaper price.”
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Green outlook
Ms. Patricia Burke, Secretary-General of IDA shares
with Samantha Keck her insights on the desalination
industry worldwide.
First, tell us your thoughts on
the recently concluded IDA World
Congress Dubai.
The 2009 IDA World Congress in Dubai
was a truly outstanding event and the
most successful in our history. More than
1,350 delegates from around the world
attended the event. The exhibition was the
largest in our history with 67 companies
showcasing the latest desalination
technologies. In addition, the Technical
Papers Session was very robust with over
240 papers presented. We also conducted
several plant tours throughout the World
Congress week. If you factor in that the
event took place in a somewhat depressed
global economy, all the numbers that
were achieved were very impressive. The
Technical Programme, exhibits, venue and
the quality of the attendees made this a
very memorable event.
How has the desalination industry
changed over the last 10 years? What
has been IDA’s role in that change?
The greatest change is, of course, the
dramatic growth of the desalination
industry. Desalination is now a critically
important part of the solution to the
world’s water problem. There are now
at least 14,451 desalination plants in
operation in 150 countries around the
world, with a combined installed capacity
of 59.9 million m3/day. In addition, a
further 244 plants with a capacity of 9.1
million m3/day are known to be under
contract. More plants with more capacity
have been brought online during the past
year than ever before. This is a reflection
on the growing need for quality water in
areas where there is not enough supply and
We all share
a love of the
industry and
especially IDA.
It seems to get in
your blood —not
many people just
walk away
Patricia Burke
the quality is poor.
Also noteworthy is the advances in
technology, which has succeeded in
lowering desalination costs dramatically.
Equally important is the focus we have
placed on environmental responsibility.
New intake and outfall designs have
mitigated any impacts on marine life.
We have been able to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions as well, and the
industry is developing a suite of solutions
in terms of brine disposal. IDA has formed
an Environmental Task Force to examine
environmental impacts on the Arabian
Gulf and recommend strategies to deal
with potential effects. Environmental
responsibility is a critical issue in which
IDA, as the world’s leading global resource
for the desalination industry, is taking a
highly proactive role.
In your opinion, what are the most
pressing issues facing the desalination
industry globally and why?
I think that there are two key issues driving
the industry. One, of course, is cost. The
more that we can continue to reduce the
costs of producing desalinated water,
the more impact we will have on the
industry worldwide, making desalination
a truly viable alternative to traditional
sources. Another issue in which IDA is
taking the lead is to be sure that we are
reducing any potential impact the on the
environment. Our recently formed Task
Force will address these issues and will
disseminate the results in a ‘Blue Paper’
and environmental conference in 2010.
What impact do you think IDA’s
environmental taskforce will have
on the region?
Our goal is to make a significant
contribution by providing all stakeholders
with information that can be used to
mitigate potential environmental impacts.
The Arabian Gulf is unique in its size and
narrow outlet. As a semi-closed body of
water, the rate at which the water recharges
is considerably slower than other areas
where the sea flows freely. To start, our
goal is to develop an accurate and current
picture of specific problems that this body
of water faces. Our task force, composed
of top subject matter experts, will examine
these issues. From there, we will be
developing recommended strategies to
mitigate potential impacts.
Reporting
for duty
Fady Juez, Managing Director, Metito took a few
minutes from his busy schedule at the IDA World
Congress 2009 to speak to H20 about his recent
election to the IDA Board of Directors and issues
surrounding water management in the Middle East
with a personal touch.
Fady Juez sat down squarely on the couch,
cutting a rather imposing figure. As the
chairman of the organising committee
for this IDA World Congress in Dubai,
how would he rate the event? Without
hesitation, Fady replied: “I am extremely
pleased. I think the people here did a
great job, and that includes everyone at
TechnoPark and EZW. Given that we
had some concerns arising due to the
financial crisis, I would say the outcome
has been nothing less than great. This, by
far, is also the largest Congress we have
had, at least that’s my feel. If you look
around, this place (Atlantis on the Palm
Jumeirah) is packed from early in the
morning. I am very happy.” What about
his successful election to the IDA Board
of Directors? Fady beamed: “I am happy, I
am pleased. This is a worldwide election,
democratically held, and it makes me
proud to know that people believe that I
can do a good job.”
As a freshly minted IDA Director, what
does Fady hope to achieve during his
term in office? Pat came the answer “I am
a strong believer in the environment and
water. This dovetails extremely well with
IDA, which is all about desalination and
water reuse. I am right now in the heart
of the only organisation in the world
that promotes professional standards in
desalination and water reuse. In addition
to the biannual Congress, IDA also
participates in up to 14 workshops and
seminars each year. Meetings are currently
underway for the formation of committees.
I am not sure exactly what
I will be involved in, but I will surely
carry out my responsibilities in the next
two years.”
New duties aside, Fady did elaborate
on what he thought were the pressing
issues facing the desalination industry
in the Middle East. “Everything we do as
human beings impact the environment
one way or another,” he said. “Since
we have to extract water from the
Desalination
is only going
to increase;
therefore, it
is only right
that while we
increase our
desalination
capacity, we do
not harm the
environment
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
41
cover sTORY: IDA SPECIAL
membrane
technology
will become
the most
dominant
Fady Juez
42
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
environment, we need to do it in a
way that is neutral to the environment.
Otherwise we would have to make sure
that the process has minimum impact.
Desalination is only going to increase;
therefore, it is only right that while we
increase our desalination capacity, we
do not harm the environment. When we
recycle water, it is also our responsibility
that we recycle properly. The IDA
has committed a taskforce made up
of leading scientists, environmental
experts, government representative and
members of the desalination industry
to look into the environment effect
of desalination on the Arabian Gulf.
We will also hold a symposium on
desalination and the environment in
2010 in the Gulf region. We can do it,
and we will continue working on it.”
Fady also weighed in on the current
tug-of-war between RO and thermal
desalination technologies. He said:
“I personally believe that membrane
technology will become the most
dominant in the region. But that said,
we are still going to have to do a lot
more for membrane technology by
making it more efficient and lowering
the costs associated with it. Available
data indicates that it has the highest
growth in applied technology and
continues to grow. I am also a firm
believer in demand management. I really
believe we can do a lot more in reducing
consumption. The logic is simple. If we
reduce consumption, we reduce cost and
consequently, we reduce the amount that
we desalinate. When that happens, we
lower our impact on the environment. If
I could, I would love to concentrate on
promoting demand management.”
N a!
O
O BI
S
NGI aRa
I
M D
O
C SaU
TO
Holiday Inn Al Qasr, Riyadh, KSA • 14,15,16 March 2010
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Nurturing leaders
Lisa Henthorne has been associated with International Desalination Association (IDA)
for over a decade and served as President of the IDA from 2007-2009. Henthorne
has more than 20 years of experience working in brackish, wastewater, and seawater
membrane technology in the US and internationally and has published more than
50 technical papers in her career, in areas of expertise including membrane filtration
pretreatment, hybrid desalination and large diameter reverse osmosis desalination. In
the 2009-2011 Board of Directors, Henthorne serves as Treasurer & Editor. In a short
chat with Samantha Keck, Henthorne reminisced about her association with IDA, her
key achievements and concerns about the water sector in the Middle East.
Between the 2007 IDA Congress in
Spain and the recently concluded Dubai
congress, what has been some of the
major initiatives undertaken by IDA to
serve its members and the industry?
Over the last two years, in addition to
preparing an exceptional technical and
commercial conference, IDA took a hard
look at how it serves its members – we
conducted surveys and interviews, and
also had a facilitated workshop with the
IDA Board of Directors to begin a five-year
Strategic Planning process. The initiatives
that evolved from this process and our
progress to date are listed below:
• addressing the misconceptions about
desalination that arose in the previous
absence of a proactive media outreach
programme.
An educational video was premiered at the
Dubai Congress Gala Dinner as one example
of these deliverables. This video has been
added to the IDA website and onto YouTube.
We’re also updating the ABCs of Desalination,
and developing white papers on various
desalination and water reuse topics.
Objective 3: Grow IDA’s Membership
IDA’s membership grew by more than
40% during the last two years. We’ve
established a Young Leaders Programme
Objective 1: Strengthen IDA’s Image
IDA began addressing this objective
by updating the IDA vision statement
to guide our path. Following this,
we implemented several major steps
including development of a consistent
brand identity, unveiling of a new website,
redesign of our newsletter, and launch at
the Dubai Congress of the IDA Journal on
Desalination and Water Reuse.
Objective 2: Enhance the Global Image
of Desalination
This objective has been assisted by the
addition of a public relations firm to our
team to help us develop tools to educate
stakeholders about:
• the role of desalination as part of water
solutions for the 21st century,
• our industry’s focus on environmental
responsibility and sustainability, and
44
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Lisa Henthorne
to engage the next generation of industry
leaders. The Young Leaders Programme
members met for the first time at the
World Congress to plan their new
initiatives, which will include promotion
of desalination as a career choice with
tremendous potential.
Objective 4: Enhance Affiliate Relations
This year, for the first time, IDA hosted an
Affiliates Programme on the day preceding
the Dubai Congress, offering our 13 affiliate
organisations a spotlight opportunity to
network and to showcase their activities and
ideas. We also added a staff member whose
responsibilities include a dedicated focus
on Affiliate Relations, and we are dedicating
a regular feature in the IDA Newsletter to
provide a forum to highlight our affiliates.
Objective 5: Strengthen and Develop
Strategic Alliances
This includes entities both within the
water community as well as stakeholder
organisations focused on the environment
and the health of our oceans. We’re
continuing to ascertain and prioritise those
organisations which will we will seek to
establish strategic alliances.
Objective 6: Strategically Enhance IDA’s
Management Infrastructure
As we look to continued growth, IDA has
taken several steps to professionalise the
IDA management function and strengthen
our staff, putting in place key outsourced
strategic partners, preparing written
policies and procedures, and moving to
new larger headquarters to accommodate
future expansion.
industry, creating an entity and specific
services to help attract and maintain
their involvement in our industry, and
to assist them to grow and prosper. Our
Young Leaders Programme featured a
number of special events at the Dubai
Congress including a dedicated reception
for them to network, a workshop to
plan their programmes, and specific
educational tours of desalination plants
in the area.
Personally, if you had to highlight one
issue about water in the MENA region,
what would it be?
I would highlight its incredible value to the
region. Nowhere else in the world does
such a populace exist where the natural
renewable water resources are so limited.
Truly the desert has bloomed, but with that
blooming we must understand the value
it contributes to our lives and, as it is not
renewable, we must use it wisely.
Much has been achieved since you
assumed office as IDA President in
2007. What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of our engagement
with the young professionals in our
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E mail: tidriss@mena-ex.com
Fax: +44 207 022 1722
Website: www.gulfenvironmentforum.com
Media Partners
Organisers
Business Community Partner
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
45
feature: IRAQ
Crisis in the making
Water shortage is fuelling displacement of people in northern Iraq
O
ver 100,000 people in northern Iraq have been
forced to evacuate their homes since 2005
because of severe water shortages, a UNESCO
study finds. Drought and excessive well
pumping have drawn down aquifer levels in the
region, causing a dramatic decline of water flow in ancient
underground aqueducts, known in Iraq as karez, upon
which hundreds of communities depend.
The study is the first to document the
effects of the ongoing drought on the karez
systems, which thousands of Iraqis have
depended upon for their drinking water and
farming for centuries.
Designed especially for the arid climate,
karez are renowned for their ability to
remain productive even during dry spells.
However, UNESCO’s study confirms that
since the onset of drought four years ago,
70% of the active karez have dried up. The
overexploitation of groundwater by modern
pumped wells has also been a major factor.
By August of this year, only 116 of 683 karez
systems in northern Iraq still supplied water
to their beneficiaries.
Before the onset of drought, the greatest
threats to the karez in Iraq were political
turmoil, abandonment and neglect. Today,
few people in Iraq know how to maintain or
repair them, contributing to their state
of disrepair.
The rapid decline of karez is forcing entire
communities to abandon their homes in the
pursuit of new sources of water. Population
declines have averaged almost 70% among
the communities adversely affected since
2005, the study confirms. The village of
Jafaron, one of the hardest hit in the region,
witnessed 44 of its 52 karez dry up in 2008,
leaving its only source of food – 113 hectares
of irrigated land – barren, and prompting
most of its population to emigrate.
An additional 36,000 people are on
the brink of abandoning their homes if
conditions do not rapidly improve. Beyond
the trickle of water that they receive from
their karez, these people are relying on water
tanks, which must be refilled several times by
trucks travelling long distances, or pumped
wells, which often need to be dug deeper. For
many, neither option is financially viable.
Given the region’s historic reliance on
groundwater, UNESCO considers the recent
decline of karez and the resulting migration
to be an early warning signal for other
serious problems concerning the future
water supply in the area. Though the survey
did not account for the towns and villages
that rely on other sources of water such as
natural springs or pumped wells, it does raise
concern that those communities are also at
high risk.
According to the study, swift and
urgent action is needed to prevent further
population displacement. UNESCO
estimates that a single karez has the potential
to provide enough household water for
nearly 9,000 individuals and irrigate over 200
hectares of farmland. In economic terms,
that translates into 300 additional tonnes of
grain per year or up to $160,000 of income
Karez Facts & Figures
A karez is a man-made underground aqueduct used to provide
a reliable supply of water to human settlements or for irrigation.
The technology is known to have developed in ancient Persia
and then spread to Iraq and other cultures.
A karez has the potential to produce 864,000 litres/day,
enough drinking water for 8,640 community members and
1,440 households.
At the same time, a karez has the potential to provide
sufficient irrigation water to produce 299 tons of grain/year on
203 hectares of newly irrigate farmland, generating upwards of
$162,748 in new agricultural production every year.
In August 2009, UNESCO identified the existence of 683 karez
in northern Iraq, including 116 that were still producing water and
used for drinking, animals, mosque ablution and/or irrigation.
Most of the karez (84%) identified by UNESCO are in
Sulaymaniyah Governorate (Northern Province) A large number
are also found in Erbil governorate (13%), especially on the
46
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
broad plain around and in Erbil city. Only five karez are located
in Dohuk governorate. Some karez are located in the area
disputed by the Iraqi Arab and Kurdish communities near Mosul
and Kirkuk.
Some 380 karez were active in 2004. Since the onset of drought
and the accelerated proliferation of wells from 2005-2009,
70% of the karez that were flowing five years ago have been
abandoned.
Population declines have averaged almost 70% among the
villages adversely affected since drought and excessive pumping
began drying up so many karez.
More than 100,000 people— most of them in the eastern
portion of northern Iraq— are estimated to have evacuated their
communities as a result of karez loss.
UNESCO has identified at least 50 communities at risk of
displacement if the karez on which they depend is allowed
to dry.
FASTER • BETTER • SIMPLER • SAFER
generated at current market prices. The study
identified 50 communities that will benefit
from karez restoration works.
The UNESCO study provides the
Government of Iraq its first comprehensive
inventory of karez. Before the study was
undertaken, very little information on the
number, location and condition of karez
existed. The study provides new impetus for
government action and can be used to raise
awareness of the emerging humanitarian
crisis linked to water and the important role
that karez can play in mitigating its impact.
Dr Dale Lightfoot, Head of the Department
of Geography at Oklahoma State University
(USA) and an internationally recognised
expert on karez, conducted the survey on
behalf of UNESCO.
UNESCO has been working with the
Government of Iraq to rehabilitate karez
systems since 2007, and plans to launch
the new Karez Initiative for Community
Revitalisation in 2010, a project that aims to
help rural communities rebuild their karez
and promote better livelihoods.
Source: UNESCOPRESS (UNESCO Water
Portal Newsletter No. 221: Water and
Health (Part 2).
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DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
47
TENDERS
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
PROJECTS
TPR8724-SA
SCADA Modernisation Project
Saudi Arabia
Name: Saline Water Conversion Corporation SWCC (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11691
Postal/Zip Code: 85369
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 463 1111/ 463 4546/ 463 0503
Fax: (+966-1) 464 3235
E-mail: info@swcc.gov.sa
Website: http://www.swcc.gov.sa
Modernisation of supervisory control and data
acquisition (SCADA) for water transmission.
1335
March 2, 2010
This project calls for modernisation of SCADA from
Riyadh to Alqassim of water transmission in Saudi
Arabia. Tender documents can be obtained from:
Procurement Department,
Saline Water Conversion Corporation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Potable Water Works
Project Number MEW/73/2009-2010-K
Project Name Water Storage Tanks Project West Funaitees
Territory Kuwait
Client Name: Ministry of Electricity & Water (Kuwait)
Address: Al-Riqie
City: Safat - 13001
Postal/Zip Code: 12
Country: Kuwait
Tel: (+965) 489 6000
Fax: (+965) 489 7484
Description Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC)
contract to build five water storage tanks, each
with capacity of 80 million gallons per day at West
Funaitees.
Budget $ 150000000
Tender Cost $ 10345
Closing Date February 7, 2010
Period 15/05/2012
Remarks Tender No. MEW/73/2009-2010
This project is in Kuwait. The tender is open
to pre-qualified contractors only. Pre-qualifiers
include local Al-Dar Engineering & Construction
Company, Arabi Energy & Technology Company,
Burhan International Contracting Company,
Canar Trading & Contracting Company, Combined
Group Company, Copri Construction Enterprises,
Sai General Trading, United Gulf Construction
Company, KCC Engineering & Construction,
Kharafi National, Kuwait Arab Contractors,
Kuwait Company for Process Plant Construction
& Contracting, Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading
Company, Al Hani Construction & Trading
Company, Alghanim International General Trading
& Contracting Company, Bayan National Trading
Company, Boodai Construction Company, Gulf
Consolidated Contractors Company and Mushrif
Trading & Contracting Company. An award is
expected in April 2010. Tender documents can be
obtained from:
Central Tenders Committee
Safat 13011, Kuwait.
Tel No. (+965) 240 1200
Fax No. (+965) 241 6574
Bid bond is KD 860,000.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number MPP031-Q
Project Name Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant
Project - 2
Territory Qatar
Client Name: Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation
(Kahramaa)
Address: NBK Building
City: Doha
Postal/Zip Code: 41
Country: Qatar
Tel: (+974) 484 5111/ 555 5901/ 484 5555
Fax: (+974) 484 5191/ 466 2046
E-mail : aalnajjar@kahramaa.com.qa
Website: http://www.km.com.qa
Description Engineering, procurement and construction
(EPC) contract to build a reverse osmosis (RO)
48
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
Post Date
Remarks
Project Manager
Tender Categories
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Budget $
Period
Remarks
Tender Categories
desalination plant with capacity of 2.5 million
gallons a day (g/d) of desalinated water.
December 5, 2009
This project is in Qatar. Client has awarded a
contract to Serbian contractor Energoprojekt
Entel for conducting a pilot study on the
scheme. Under the contract, Energoprojekt will
recommend a suitable location for the plant
and issue the construction tender. It will then
supervise construction of the plant and monitor
its performance. The client may decide to move
from a pilot plant to a commercially sized plant
at an unspecified date in the future. A tender for
construction of plant is expected to be issued
by end of February 2010. The plant is due to
commence production before the end of
October 2010.
Energoprojekt - Entel (Qatar)
Potable Water Works
SPR2553-U
IWPP Project
Abu Dhabi
Name: Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority
(ADWEA)
Address: ADWEA Building, Al-Falah Street
City: Abu Dhabi
Postal/Zip Code : 6120
Country: United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+971-2) 627 1300 / 694 3333
Fax: (+971-2) 626 7725 / 626 6089
Website: http://www.adwea.gov.ae
Engineering, procurement and construction
(EPC) contract for the design and execution of an
independent water and power plant (IWPP) with
capacity of 1,500 MW and 60 to 100 million gallons
per day of desalination.
2,200,000,000
20/12/2013
This project is in Abu Dhabi. The scheme is currently
in planning stage. Location of the plant has not
been decided yet. A tender for the EPC contract
is expected to be issued in March 2010, with
submission of bids anticipated by May 2010.
Potable Water Works
Power Generation & Distribution
Project Number TPR8776-SA
Project Name Irrigation Network & Water Wells Drilling
Construction Project
Territory Saudi Arabia
Client Name: Eastern Province Municipality Emara (Saudi Arabia)
City: Dammam
Country: Saudi Arabia
E-mail: it@easternemara.gov.sa
Website: http://www.easternemara.gov.sa
Description Construction of irrigation network and drilling of
water wells for a municipality.
Tender Cost $ 800
Closing Date March 20, 2010
Remarks This project is in at Maleeja in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Procurement Department,
Eastern Province Municipality
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Agriculture & Irrigation
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
CN/614/2009
Consultancy Services-876
Dubai
Name: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)
Address: Head Office, Near Wafi Shopping Mall,
Zabeel East
City: Dubai
Postal/Zip Code: 564
Country: United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+971-4) 324 4444
Fax: (+971-4) 324 8111
E-mail: contracts@dewa.gov.ae
Website: http://www.dewa.gov.ae
Description Provision of consultancy services for the
implementation of an Independent Water and Power
Producers (IWPP) model for an electricity & water
authority.
Tender Cost $ 545
middleeasttenders.com / +971 2 634 8495
FREE
subscription to
Closing Date February 22, 2010
Remarks Tender No. CN/614/2009
This tender service is in Dubai. The tender is open
to specialised firms. The tender cost is payable in
cash or on-line through the website http://www.
dewa.gov.ae under the title e-services. Tenders
must be valid for acceptance for 120 days from the
closing date. The Master Tender Document must be
accompanied by a Tender Bond for an amount not
less than 5% of the total tender price and valid for
150 days from the tender closing date. Completed
sealed tender documents should be addressed to:
The Chairman, Board of Directors,
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
and deposited into the Tender Box at Authority’s
Head Office near Wafi Shopping Mall in Zabeel East,
Dubai.
Participants in the tender should submit the names
of their Local Partners/Sponsors, having a valid
Dubai Trade Licence along with a photocopy of their
current licence.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Power Generation & Distribution
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
GT10100100-Q
Engineering Consultancy Services-114
Qatar
Name: Qatar Petroleum (QP)
City: Doha
Postal/Zip Code: 3212
Country: Qatar
Tel: (+974) 440 2000
Fax: (+974) 483 1125/ 449 1400/ 483 1995
E-mail: marketing@qp.com.qa
Website: http://www.qp.com.qa
Provision of engineering consultancy services (ECS)
for water supply to a petroleum company.
140
February 21, 2010
Tender No. GT10100100
This tender calls for engineering consultancy
services of water supply at Umm Bab, Jaleha and
Khatiyah in Qatar. The scope of work includes for all
process, mechanical, pipeline, instrumentation and
control, electrical, civil/structural/building services,
telecommunications, life safety and loss prevention
design works. Also include for an environmental
impact assessment. Tender documents can be
obtained from:
Contracts Department - Engineering Division,
B-Ring Road, Mezzanine Floor, Room A-M03,
Qatar Petroleum
Doha, Qatar.
Tender documents will be released only to
authorized company representatives with following
documentations:
(i) Letter of authorization on company letterhead
(ii) Valid Qatar I.D.
(iii) Valid copy of Commercial Registration.
The non-refundable tender fee is payable to:
Doha Bank Ltd.
QP branch, Ras Abu Aboud,
Doha, Qatar
OR
Qatar National Bank
QP branch, 2nd floor, Al Sadd Plaza,
Doha, Qatar.
Bid bond is QR 200,000. Bond validity is (150) days
from the bid closing date till January 21, 2010 and
offer validity is (120) days from the bid closing date
till June 21, 2010.
Potable Water Works
435/2009-O
Desalination Plant Extension Project - 2
Oman
Name: Public Authority for Electricity & Water (Oman)
Address: Ministries Road, Al Khoweir Area
City: Muscat
Postal/Zip Code: 106
Country: Oman
Tel: (+968) 2460 3906 / 2460 3800
Fax: (+968) 2460 7076
Description Carrying out extension of desalination plant with
capacity of 200 cubic metres a day, including
operation and maintenance for an electricity & water
authority.
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Date:
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
49
TENDERS
PROJECTS
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Period
Remarks
970
February 15, 2010
15/02/2011
Tender No. 435/2009
This project is at Lima in Musandam Governorate of
Oman. Tender documents can be obtained from:
Public Authority for Electricity & Water
Muscat, Oman.
The last date to purchase tender document is
January 7, 2010.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
TPR8764-SA
Treatment Station Expansion Project
Saudi Arabia
Name: Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11195
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 476 1377
Fax: (+966-1) 401 2365
Carrying out expansion of treatment station for a
water directorate.
2670
March 7, 2010
This project calls for expansion of treatment station
at Jarodiya West of Alqateef in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Procurement & Tenders Department,
Eastern Province Water Directorate
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Potable Water Works
Project Number 425/2009-O
Project Name Rass Al-Hadd Disribution Network
O&M Project
Territory Oman
Client Name: Public Authority for Electricity & Water (Oman)
Address: Ministries Road, Al Khoweir Area
City: Muscat
Postal/Zip Code: 106
Country: Oman
Tel: (+968) 2460 3906 / 2460 3800
Fax: (+968) 2460 7076
Description Carrying out operation and maintenance of Rass AlHadd distribution network for an electricity & water
authority.
Tender Cost $ 515
Closing Date February 15, 2010
Remarks Tender No. 425/2009
This project is in Oman. The tender is open to
contractors classified in First Class grade. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Public Authority for Electricity & Water
Muscat, Oman.
The last date to purchase tender documents is
January 27, 2010.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Power Generation & Distribution
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
744/1431/1430-SA
Water Leakage Detection Project
Saudi Arabia
Name: Ministry of Water & Electricity (Saudi Arabia)
Address: King Fahd Road
City: Riyadh 11127
Postal/Zip Code: 5729
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 205 6666/ 205 2981
Fax: (+966-1) 205 0557
E-mail: info@mowe.gov.ae
Website: http://www.mow.gov.sa
Carrying out detection of water leakage for water
networks, including calculation of loss percentage
for a water & electrical company.
535
February 13, 2010
Tender No. 744/1431/1430
This project is at Jizan in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Tenders & Procurement Department,
Ministry of Water & Electricity
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Potable Water Works
Project Number 3/31/32-SA
Project Name Water Meters-18
Territory Saudi Arabia
50
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
middleeasttenders.com / +971 2 634 8495
Client Name: Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11195
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 476 1377
Fax: (+966-1) 401 2365
Description Supply of water meters for a water directorate.
Tender Cost $ 55
Closing Date February 2, 2010
Remarks Tender No. 3/31/32
This tender supply is in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Procurement,
Alqassim Water Directorate
Alqassim, Saudi Arabia.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
1W/09
Water Tanks & Pumping Station Project - 1
Northern Emirates
Name: Federal Electricity & Water Authority - FEWA
(Dubai)
Address: Al Nahda Road
City: Dubai
Postal/Zip Code: 1672
Country: United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+971-4) 231 5555
Fax: (+971-4) 280 9977
E-mail: cs@fewa.gov.ae
Website: http://www.fewa.gov.ae
Supply and installation of (2 Nos.) RCC water tanks
with capacity of 10 million imperial gallons and
construction of pumping station at a central plant for
an electricity & water authority.
1,365
February 10, 2010
Tender No. 1W/09
This project is at Al Zawrah in Ajman. The tender
is open to bona fide firms who are qualified and
licensed by concerned authorities. The tenderer
must be a U.A.E National, individual or a company
owned by nationals or a company in which 51% of
the share capital is owned by nationals or Free Zone
Company. Tender documents can be obtained from:
Purchase Office,
Federal Electricity & Water Authority
Dubai, UAE.
The last date to purchase tender documents is
February 3, 2010. Offers should be accompanied by
an unconditional Bid Bond of 5% of the total value
of the offer. The said Bid Bond should be valid for
(180) days from the last date of tender submission
and the same should be issued by a bank operating
in U.A.E. Offers to be submitted in one original and
two duplicates in a plain sealed envelope and are to
be deposited in Tender Box at the Authority’s head
office in Dubai.
Potable Water Works
Project Number TPR8710-SA
Project Name Water Boosting Stations Implementation
Project
Territory Saudi Arabia
Client Name: Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11195
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 476 1377
Fax: (+966-1) 401 2365
Description Implementation of water boosting stations for a
water directorate.
Tender Cost $ 270
Closing Date February 2, 2010
Remarks This project is at Alkhobar in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Procurement & Tenders Department,
Eastern Province Water Directorate
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number 51/1430/SA
Project Name Waste Water Treatment O&M
Works Project
Territory Saudi Arabia
Client Name: Makkah Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
Address: Bin Zomah Bldg., Bab Ibrahim St Off
Makkah Road
City: Jeddah 21413
Country: Saudi Arabia
TENDERS
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
PROJECTS
Tel: (+966-2) 688 0775 / 689 6839
Fax: (+966-2) 687 7904
Carrying out operation and maintenance of waste
water treatment station for a water directorates.
2670
February 14, 2010
Tender No. 51/1430
This project is in Saudi Arabia. Tender documents
can be obtained from:
Operation & Maintenance Department,
Makkah Water Directorate
Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Potable Water Works
Project Number 935-SA
Project Name Water Transmission Line Construction
Project - 1
Territory Saudi Arabia
Client Name: Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11195
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 476 1377
Fax: (+966-1) 401 2365
Description Construction of water transmission line at water
purification station.
Tender Cost $ 1,335
Closing Date February 14, 2010
Remarks Tender No. 935
This project is in Saudi Arabia. Tender documents
can be obtained from:
Tenders and Procurement Department,
Aseer Water Directorate
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number 941-SA/1
Project Name Ohud Rufaidah Water Distribution Station
Maintenance Works
Territory Saudi Arabia
Client Name: Water Directorate (Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11195
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 476 1377
Fax: (+966-1) 401 2365
Description Carrying out maintenance of water distribution
station at Ohud Rufaidah.
Tender Cost $ 135
Closing Date January 31, 2010
Remarks Tender No. 941
This tender service is in Saudi Arabia. Tender
documents can be obtained from:
Tenders and Procurement Department,
Aseer Water Directorate
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tender Categories Potable Water Works
Project Number
Project Name
Territory
Client
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
TPR8726-SA
Steel Pipes-19
Saudi Arabia
Name: Saline Water Conversion Corporation - SWCC
(Saudi Arabia)
City: Riyadh 11691
Postal/Zip Code: 85369
Country: Saudi Arabia
Tel: (+966-1) 463 1111/ 463 4546/ 463 0503
Fax: (+966-1) 464 3235
E-mail: info@swcc.gov.sa
Website: http://www.swcc.gov.sa
Fabrication and supply of steel pipes for water
transmission system.
2,6670
May 2, 2010
This tender supply is at Ras Alzoor and Hafr Albatin
in Sauid Arabia. Tender documents can be obtained
from:
Procurement Department,
Saline Water Conversion Corporation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Potable Water Works
Project Number HT/197-K
Project Name Rainwater Discharge System Construction
Project
Territory Kuwait
Client Name: Ministry of Public Works (Kuwait)
Address: Murgab, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Street
City: Safat 13001
52
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
middleeasttenders.com / +971 2 634 8495
Description
Tender Cost $
Closing Date
Remarks
Tender Categories
Postal/Zip Code: 8
Country: Kuwait
Tel: (+965) 539 4479 / 538 5520
Fax: (+965) 539 4419
Construction, completion and maintenance of
rainwater discharge system for a public works
authority.
2,145
February 2, 2010
Tender No. HT/197
This project is in Kuwait. The tender is open to prequalified contractors only. Tender documents can be
obtained from:
Central Tenders Committee
Safat 13011, Kuwait.
Tel No. (+965) 240 1200
Fax No. (+965) 241 6574.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on December 21,
2009. Bid bond is KD 44,000.
Sewerage & Drainage
Project Number OPR392-U
Project Name Shamkha South Infrastructure
Works Project
Territory Abu Dhabi
Client Name: Abu Dhabi Centre for Housing & Service
Facilities Development
Address: Former Municipalities & Agriculture
Department Bldg., Old Airport Road Intersection with
Delma St.
City: Abu Dhabi
Country: United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+971-2) 407 0184
Fax: (+971-2) 446 6110
Description Implementation of infrastructure works for Shamkha
South consisting of approximately 80 kilometres
of arterial roads and 270 kilometres of internal
neighbourhood roads, street-lighting and signal
lights, storm water drainage system, potable water
and fire-fighting network, 22kV power supply network
and telecommunications, sewerage network with
deep sewers.
Tender Cost $ 10,900
Closing Date February 10, 2010
Remarks This project is in Abu Dhabi. South Shamkha
development is an area of approximately 40 square
kilometres, located 50 kilometres from the City
centre designed to become a new residential area
for villas with retail, commercial and residential
facilities. Participating Contractors shall be operating
in Abu Dhabi Emirate and should be classified in
category SPECIAL for Main Roads, Streets and
related works, and have knowledge and working
experience of not less than 5 years for similar
projects. Bidders are requested to present the said
classification certificate and prove their experience
prior to collecting the tender documents. The brief
scope mentioned above shall be tendered through
4 separate LOTS, each LOT representing a separate
package. Bidders can tender for any or all lots/
packages. Tender documents can be collected from:
Procurement & Contracts Division,
Abu Dhabi Center for Housing & Service Facilities
Development (ADCH)
Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The last date to purchase tender documents is
January 07, 2010. The specified Tender Fees shall
be paid to ADCH bank account prior to collecting
the tender documents. Number of the account
can be collected from ADHC Finance Department.
Tendering shall be processed through four separate
lots and construction works shall be scheduled to
meet the milestone completion as stated on the
tender documents. Overall project completion shall
be 36 months from the commencement date. A Bid
Bond of AED 50,000,000/- (Fifty million AED) for
each LOT/Package shall be submitted along with
the bid offer and the same shall be valid for (120)
days from the date of submission. Bid Bond shall
be submitted as per the form enclosed in the tender
documents.
Communications/ Telecommunications
Potable Water Works
Power Generation & Distribution
Public Works, Roads & Earthworks
Tender Categories Sewerage & Drainage
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eventsCALENDAR
january
Jan 18-21, 2010, Abu Dhabi
World Future
Energy
Abu Dhabi will be the venue
for the largest and most diverse
gathering of world leaders,
investors, policy makers,
researchers, financial institutions
and experts dedicated to the
sector from January 18-21, 2010.
The anticipation surrounding
WFES 2010 is set to increase
following the decision in June
to base the global headquarters
of the International Renewable
Energy Agency (IRENA) in the
UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. More
than 50 countries have confirmed
participation. The summit
conference is expected to attract
3,000 delegates and 100 high-level
speakers. The organizers have
reported increase in exhibition
space at WFES 2010 by 51 per
cent to 45,000 square metres.
Contact: Shadi Reslan
Tel: +971 2 4090 335
Mob: +971 50 452 8167
Fax: +971 2 4443768
Email: hayete.jemai@reedexpo.ae
URL: www.
worldfutureenergysummit.com
January 19-20, 2010, Dubai
MENA Water
Resources World
The MENA Water Resource
World conference, a global forum
dedicated to water supply issues
and solutions in the Middle
East and North Africa region,
will meet in Dubai on January
19-20, 2010. The conference
is held under the patronage of
H.E. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad,
UAE’s Minister of Environment
& Water, who will deliver the
keynote address on, ‘Water
Policies, Opportunities &
Challenges in the UAE.’ Invited
government representatives from
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman,
Tunisia, Libya and Algeria will
unveil upcoming investment
opportunities while experts will
54
DECEMBER 2009 / JANUARY 2010
address financing, public-private
partnerships, water management
tools and solutions in the region
including leakage management,
desalination, sludge management
and wastewater treatment.
Contact: Jaime Ng
Centre for Management
Technology
Tel: +65 6346 9116
Fax: +65 6345 5928
Email: mimi@cmtsp.com.sg
URL: www.cmtevents.com
January 24-25,2010, Bahrain
Sustainable Water
& Wastewater
Infrastructure
Sustainable Water and Wastewater
Infrastructure will bring
together water and wastewater
practitioners, key suppliers in
the Middle East to facilitate
and encourage the sharing of
ideas and practical advice. Key
speakers include Dr Benno Boer
Ecological Advisor, UNESCO;
Sarfraz Dairkee, Sub Committee
Chairman, Emirates Green
Building Council – Water &
Energy; Khalil Issa, CEO, Energy
Central Company; Sameer
Affouni, Director of Material
Engineering Directorate, Ministry
of Works, Bahrain and Eng.
Nashat Sabah, Research Scientist,
Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity
Authority.
Contact: Justine Leong
Senior Marketing Executive
marcus evans
Tel:(603) 2723 6611
Fax:(603) 2723 6622
Email:JustineL@marcusevanskl.com
URL: www.marcusevansassets.
com/doc/pdfs/Ep_16052.pdf
FEBRuary
February 8-10, 2010
Gulf Wastewater
Treatment & Re-use
The key topics planned
for the conference include
implementation & Initiatives
of stringent regulations by
government bodies for a green
environment, Building a stateof-the-art sewerage treatment
plant; centralised and decentralised wastewater treatment;
selecting the right technology for
successfully running a Wastewater
treatment plant, strategies to
minimise costs of Wastewater
treatment and putting treated
Wastewater to the most optimum
reuse – Keeping in mind Public
Health issues.
Contact: Maria Luminita
Tel: + 971 4 6091575
Fax: + 971 4 6091589/90
Email: saqlain.azhar@
jacobfleming.com
URL: www.fleminggulf.com
Feb 9– 11, 2010, Dubai
Middle East
Electricity 2010
One of the largest energy events
in the world, the 2010 edition
of Middle East Electricity has
Germany as the official featured
country. All sectors of the energy
industry will be comprehensively
covered, with focus areas including
water, lighting, new and renewable
and nuclear energy, bringing
essential expertise to the region.
Contact: IIR Holdings
Tel: +971-4-407-2472
Fax: +971-4-3353526
Email: register@iirme.com
URL: www.middleeastelectricity.com
MARCH
March 9-11, 2010, Dubai
WETEX 2010
WETEX 2010 is an important
regional resourcing platform
for national and international
companies to access wide
range of latest technology and
management solutions. This
event also provides avenue for
industry leaders to keep abreast
of the latest developments in
the Gulf region in the field of
Water, Energy and Environment,
as well to network and tie
up with strategic partners to
pursue innovative solutions
WETEX 2010 will hold the
2010
convergence of decisionmakers, representatives from
government organisations,
policy makers, trade
associations and chamber of
commerce around the world.
Contact: Hina Ali
Tel: +971 4 3072275
Fax +971 4 3248111, 3244922
Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae
URL: www.wetex.ae
March 29-31, 2010,
Abu Dhabi
Arabian Power &
Water Summit
H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi,
Director of Privatisation
Directorate at the Abu Dhabi
Water & Electricity Authority
(ADWEA), which is the
patron and exclusive partner
of Arabian Power & Water
Summit (APWS) will deliver
the keynote address. The event
will be held at Fairmont Bab
Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi city.
Chairman of Libya’s General
Desalination Corporation,
Ahmed Gumatti, will speak
about the ambitious power
and water plans in Libya.
Kamel Sid from Sonelgaz
will provide an update about
developments in Algeria.
The summit will also be
preceded by an Alternative
Energy Forum which will be
held on 29 March 2010 at
the same conference venue.
This will provide vital fresh
information and insights
about trends in the GCC
and an assessment of the
implications for the region
of the Copenhagen Climate
Change conference held in
December. Expert speakers
from across the region and
internationally will address
the forum.
Contact: Cassie Start
MEED
Tel: +971 4 390 0045
Fax: +971 4 368 8023
Email: cassie.start@meeddubai.com
URL: www.meed.com
EAGLE ELECTROMECHANICAL
CO. L.L.C.
”The Best Entrepreneurial Company of the Year for Middle East
Water & Waste Water Treatment Market 2009”
FROST & SULLIVAN
Sewage Treatment Plants
Electromechanical Works for Residential Buildings
Water/Sewerage/Pumping Stations & Networks
Electrical HV, LV Network & Substations
Operation & Maintenance of Sewage & Water Works
Dubai PO box 19973 Tel +971 4 2672269 Fax +971 4 2672289
Email alhijaz@emirates.net.ae Website www.eagle.ae
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