The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) has signed a collaboration agreement with the World Bank to document its expertise in developing the water sector, managing and planning water resources, and disseminating its experiences.
The agreement aims to make these experiences available to less developed countries, exchange knowledge, enhance research, and foster academic cooperation to support regional and global water security goals.
Further, the agreement entails documenting the water sector’s developmental journey in the Kingdom and leveraging the authority’s Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA) research capabilities to conduct research projects aimed at enhancing industry economies and mitigating long-term cumulative environmental impacts.
It also entails a collaboration between the Saudi Water Authority and the World Bank to assess the demand for specialized training regionally and internationally, aiming to benefit from the authority’s expertise in building the capacity of personnel working in water utilities.
According to the statement, “This agreement reaffirms KSA’s commitment to attaining sustainable development goals, including Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, by endorsing research and innovation endeavors to enhance the sustainability of the water supply.”
Earlier this month, the Saudi Water Authority, represented by its research arm, the Water Technologies Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA), started using advanced technology to maximize the use of cement plant by-products (fly ash) and desalination wastewater.
This move intends to produce high-purity (vaterite) calcium carbonate at 97 percent purity. The project, the first of its kind in the world, contributes to environmental preservation, promotes the circular economy concept, and aligns with the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative by reducing carbon emissions.
