Riyadh: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia has achieved significant milestones and set new records in the water sector, reinforcing its position as a global leader in desalination. The ministry is recognized as the top producer in desalination, boasting an annual capacity of 4.19 million cubic meters.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the ministry operates the world’s most extensive water transmission network, spanning 14,210 kilometers and managing 19.42 million cubic meters of water daily. These achievements highlight the country’s progress in developing resilient water infrastructure.
The National Water Strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable water resource utilization, aiming to enhance the use of renewable and recycled water, ensure a safe water supply, and deliver efficient services to support economic development and GDP growth.
Implementing this strategy has led to multiple Guinness World Records for Saudi Arabia. These include the largest network of drinking water tanks with a daily capacity of 8.9 million cubic meters, the largest drinking water storage facility in Riyadh with a capacity of 4.79 million cubic meters daily, and the largest production facility with a capacity of 2.99 million cubic meters daily. Additional records include the largest single drinking water storage tank and the largest evaporation desalination unit in Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom also maintains the world’s largest mobile desalination plant and boasts the lowest energy consumption in desalination, using 2,271 kWh per cubic meter.
In 2024, the National Water Company (NWC) completed 36 water service projects costing SAR992 million, installing main lines and networks over 894,000 linear meters. The company also built 29 reservoirs with a combined capacity of 109,500 cubic meters and a purification station processing 5,000 cubic meters daily. The NWC plans to complete 31 additional projects valued at SAR2.14 billion in 2025.
In sanitation, 12 projects were completed at SAR1.2 billion, establishing networks covering 293,000 linear meters and developing sewage treatment plants to process 52,000 cubic meters daily. Plans are underway to finalize 26 additional projects by 2025.
The NWC has implemented 17,381 new sewage connections and established 15 stations to reduce salinity in the eastern sector, with 12 operational. During the 2024 Hajj season, the NWC pumped over 45 million cubic meters of water across 5,000 kilometers of networks, ensuring water quality with over 75,000 laboratory tests.
The Saudi Water Partnership Company contributed over 60% to local content in its projects, bolstering the national economy. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, through the National Water Efficiency and Conservation Center, achieved annual water savings of over 31 million cubic meters, saving SAR143 million in government expenses.
The Saudi Irrigation Organization surpassed its targets in reusing treated water in agriculture, achieving 115% of the planned reuse. Meanwhile, Water Desalination, the operational arm of the Saudi Water Authority, secured patents in desalination innovation, marking significant advancements in the industry.