Saudi Water Authority
The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) is responsible for regulating and monitoring water sector business and services to enhance water sustainability and achieve the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
SWA in Numbers
Production
Transmission
Storage
Distribution
Sewerage
Production
Transmission
Storage
Distribution
Sewerage
+40
Production Facility
public and private production facility with a capacity of 11+ million m3/day
+7.5M
m3/day
Desalination and purification of water
+3.5M
m3/day
Desalination and purification of water for wells and dams
+140
Purification Units
Purification units with a total capacity of +4 million m3/day
About Saudi Water Authority
Production
Transmission
Distribution
Water Treatment
Reuse
Production
Transmission
Distribution
Water Treatment
Reuse
Production is divided into two main parts. The first part involves using innovative technologies to turn highly salty seawater into usable fresh water through desalination. Desalination also enhances the use of natural resources by purifying the water from dams and wells.
Production is divided into two main parts. The first part involves using innovative technologies to turn highly salty seawater into usable fresh water through desalination. Desalination also enhances the use of natural resources by purifying the water from dams and wells.
The process of transferring produced water is through water transmission systems with high capacities and pipe lengths exceeding thousands of kilometers, relative to the production capacity, to reach all regions of the Kingdom. The water is kept in specialized tanks equipped with advanced technology to ensure safe distribution.
The water received at the receiving gates is distributed through the water system, which is responsible for delivering water to the Kingdom's various regions, governorates, and villages in order to supply all beneficiaries and connect them to the system.
A separate system is used to transfer wastewater, which can then be treated or discarded. Using treated wastewater for plant irrigation conserves water, promotes sustainable water development, and reduces pressure on natural water sources.
Water recycling is the process of reusing water. The wastewater discharged from industrial and residential areas is filtered and treated for several applications, such as cleaning operations, irrigation, industrial processes, and replenishing water supplies.
Thermal Technologies
In this process, seawater is heated through several stages. At each stage, a specific amount of pure water is condensed. Flash evaporation: In this process, seawater is rapidly heated in a single vessel to produce pure water vapor. Pure water is evaporated as flash steam.
Reverse Osmosis Technology
Reverse osmosis is a process that separates water from a pressurized brine solution using a membrane. The water feed is compressed without the need for heating, boiling, or change in state. The amount of discharged water can reach up to 60% of the water feed.
Natural Water Purification
Reverse osmosis technology is commonly used to purify ground and surface water due to the lower salt content compared to seawater. As a result, the rate of desalinated water from the water feed can reach up to 90%.
Production Supply Chains
Thermal Technologies
In this process, seawater is heated through several stages. At each stage, a specific amount of pure water is condensed. Flash evaporation: In this process, seawater is rapidly heated in a single vessel to produce pure water vapor. Pure water is evaporated as flash steam.
Reverse Osmosis Technology
Reverse osmosis is a process that separates water from a pressurized brine solution using a membrane. The water feed is compressed without the need for heating, boiling, or change in state. The amount of discharged water can reach up to 60% of the water feed.
Natural Water Purification
Reverse osmosis technology is commonly used to purify ground and surface water due to the lower salt content compared to seawater. As a result, the rate of desalinated water from the water feed can reach up to 90%.
Transmission Supply Chains
Mega Transmission Systems
Efficiently transporting vast volumes of desalinated water across extensive distances and elevating it to high altitudes, surpassing 2000 meters above sea level, with unparalleled efficiency and reliability.
Water Transmission Energy
A robust infrastructure system designed to supply electrical power seamlessly to pumping stations situated in remote locales along the water transmission systems, to ensure uninterrupted operation and optimal performance.
Strategic Storage
A comprehensive storage system seamlessly connecting with desalinated water transmission and distribution systems, substantially extending urban water reserves, achieving the objectives of 2030.
Distribution Supply Chains
Water Distribution Systems
Efficiently managing, operating, maintaining, and expanding sophisticated water distribution networks across cities, villages, and suburbs. This strategic framework ensures that all beneficiaries gain access to drinking water, significantly enhancing the scope and reliability of water services.
Consumption
Providing drinking water to satisfy residential, commercial and governmental needs. With the growing demand spurred by events like Hajj, Umrah, and the ongoing developmental initiatives, our mission is to supply 150L / individual daily, providing access to pristine water and preserving the sustainability of water and environmental resources.
Technology Structure
A Water distribution infrastructure that is powered by high-capacity transmission pipelines, control valves, strategic stations, high-efficiency pumps, cutting-edge monitoring and control systems, and remote sensors. It also featured GIS advanced technology to enhance operations and guarantee efficient and sustainable distribution.
Water Treatment Supply Chains
Sewage
Efficiently collecting wastewater via extensive networks spanning urban landscapes, ensuring seamless service to all connected subscribers.
Infrastructure
Preserving the environment through a cohesive sanitation infrastructure within urban areas, which is also optimized for the reuse of treated water in several applications.
Trilogy Water Treatment System
A triple-stage integrated approach: mechanical filtration to eliminate large particulates, chemical processes to neutralize harmful substances, and biological treatments to eradicate microbial pathogens, significantly enhancing water quality and rendering it safe for consumption and other uses.
Reuse Supply Chains
Reuse
Reusing treated water for several purposes is at the heart of water sustainability, such as irrigation, industrial applications, water renewal, and cooling, to provide fresh water and reduce dependence on new sources.
Economic Feasibility
Water reuse helps preserve fresh water, reduces operational costs, and achieves water sustainability. Furthermore, it generates revenue through its use in irrigation and industry, while also reducing dependence on fresh water and lowering purification costs.
Saudi Green Initiative
The Saudi Green Initiative promotes water reuse and developing innovative technologies for treating and utilizing water in irrigation and industry, in order to provide fresh water, reduce dependence on new sources, achieve water sustainability, and preserve water resources.
Most Important No.
40
Production Plants
Production Structure of Desalination (33) Public Sector Plants (8) Private Sector Plants
11
Million m3/day
The total production capacity of desalination, where the public sector is responsible for (7.5M) m3/day and the private sector (3.6M) m3/day.
139
Purification unit
The number of ground and surface water purification units exceeds (139), which contributes to enhancing water supplies for several regions of the Kingdom.
4
Million m3/day
Total capacity of surface groundwater purification units exceeds (4M) m3/day.
Production Numbers
+ 40
Production Plants
Production Structure of Desalination (33) Public Sector Plants (8) Private Sector Plants
+ 11
Million m3/day
The total production capacity of desalination, where the public sector is responsible for (7.5M) m3/day and the private sector (3.6M) m3/day.
+ 139
Purification unit
The number of ground and surface water purification units exceeds (139), which contributes to enhancing water supplies for several regions of the Kingdom.
+ 4
Million m3/day
Total capacity of surface groundwater purification units exceeds (4M) m3/day.
Transmission Numbers
+ 19
Millon m3/day
The total capacity of desalinated water transmission systems, setting a new Guinness World Record in 2024.
+ 14
A thousand Kilometer
Total length of desalinated water transmission systems and pipelines.
+ 25
Million m3
Total strategic storage capacity, enhancing water security in the Kingdom.
+ 3.5
Kilowatts per hour
The lowest energy consumption for water transmission over distances exceeding 450 km.
Distribution Numbers
+ 120
Thousand Kilometer
Total lengths of water distribution systems.
99.7 %
M3/D
Rate of customers using electronic meters.
+ 60
Thousand Connections
Recently added to enhance distribution, drainage and sanitation services.
+ 20
Avrage Pumping Hours
Average pumping hours in neighborhoods served by distribution systems.
Water Treatment Numbers
+ 50
Thousand Kilometer
Total lengths of the sewage systems.
+ 33
Thousand New Connection
New sewage connections in 2023.
+ 500 K
New Benficiares
New beneficiaries of sewage systems in 2023.
+ 3000
Kilometer
Added to the total lengths of the sewage systems in 2023.
Reuse Numbers
+ 500
Million m3
Total amount of reused water.
+ 190
Million m3
Total capacity of irrigation water supply.
95 %
Renewed Water Supply
Rate of renewed water supply for irrigation to beneficiaries.
+ 300
Million m3
Total Capacity of reused water utilized in other sectors.
SustainabilityProgressing towards a sustainable water industry to enhance water security, and protect the environment
InnovationDeveloping water technologies to meet economic and environmental goals
DevelopmentPromoting water industry stability to support societal and economic growth
LifeWater is essential for supporting life, stabilizing society, and improving individual well-being
Authority roles
Supervisory role
- Empowering planning and water security
- Leading industry localization programs
- Promoting local content in the water sector
- Enhancing the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and scientific research locally and globally
Regulatory Services
Enforcing regulations that ensure safe, clean, reliable, and high-quality water supplies at reasonable competitive prices, achieving justice among consumers, and guaranteeing water access for everyone to fulfill their needs while safeguarding the rights of consumers, service providers, and the public interest.
Interim operational role
SWCC is SWA’s transitional operational wing, responsible for operating groundwater and surface water purification assets and sources, as well as desalination assets owned by the public sector.
The organization will continue, through its operational arm (SWCC), to operate the assets of desalinated water production until they are transferred according to the relevant committees (based on Cabinet Decision No. 652).
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