Evaluating The Kuwaiti Wastewater Development
Strategy
Eng. Adel Al- saffar
Section Head Of Sulaibiya WWTRP BOT PROJECT
Eng. Abdullah Al-Onaizi
Electrical Engineer BOT PROJECT
STATE OF KUWAIT
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS
Key topics to be addressed
:
1 - Summary about State of Kuwait
2 - The sector responsible for sanitation in the State of Kuwait
3 - Sewage system and networks
4 - Wastewater treatment plants in the State of Kuwait
5 - private sector involvement in infrastructure projects
6 the full re-use of treated wastewater (TSE)
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State of Kuwait has a land area of
17,818 km
2
The population of Kuwait is 3.6
million (June 2010)
About 98% of population live within
Kuwait Metropolitan Area, 810 km
2
or 4.5% of total area
Kuwait is the only country in the
world without natural lakes or
perennial rivers
Climate of Kuwait is dry, hot desert
and annual evaporation far
exceeds rainfall average of 125mm
per year
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Kuwait is part of a large regional desert
situated at low altitude.
Average diurnal temperature is 33C,
but drops as low as -3C in January.
Maximum temperature is 52C.
Annual rainfall is between 25 mm and
175 mm, most of this falling between
October and March. Winter also brings
fierce dust storms.
The harsh climate and the rapid growth
of demand on fresh water resources
due to increasing urbanization and
agricultural projects, leads to search
for alternative sources of water.
Population increase results in growing
volumes of municipal wastewater. This
leads to health and environmental
problems if not treated properly.
Competence and responsibilities
The Ministry of Public Works
Study and design, construction and maintenance:
Roads and bridges
Infrastructure for residential areas
Rain and sanitation networks and facilities
Various governmental facilities and buildings
Sanitary Engineering Sector
The sanitary engineering sector in the Ministry of Public
Works is in charge of Wastewater Management and
the preparation of technical studies and technical
assistance to develop the facility and construction of
all projects related to the renewal of sewerage systems
and improving the performance of transfer stations
and collection and water treatment, and raising the
efficiency of capacity of the networks to meet the rates
of population growth and urbanization and the steady
increase in the numbers of the population
Per capita consumption of water in the State
of Kuwait, compared with some of the world
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Freshwater consumption in Kuwait
85%
residential area
utilities
industry
Commercial
Agriculture
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025
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Continued growing demand for fresh water
will double production in 2025 to four times
the current production
Pollutants in Raw Sewage
Raw domestic sewage consists of physical and
chemical compounds, microbes and viruses.
The physical compounds can be divided into
99.9% water and 0.1% solids (pollutants). The
solids can by divided into dissolved solids (75%
- 65%) and suspended solids (25% - 35%) which
are 50% settle-able suspended solids and 50%
non settle-able solids.
The chemical compounds can be grouped into
30% inorganic compounds such as salts, metals,
grit and sand.
Remaining 70% are Organic Compounds such
as fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Desalination
Ground water
Water Reuse
WATER RESOURCES
Desalination.
The installed desalination capacity
exceeds 3000 million m
3
yearly.
Representing about 50% of Worlds
desalination capacity.
Covers about 90% of the
domestic/industrial demand.
GCC capital investments for past two
decades is us $ 16 billion.
GCC needed investments for coming 20
years is about us $ 50 billion.
Ground Water
Provides Majority Of Total Water Demand in
GCC
Excessive withdrawal from aquifers in the
past years at a rate exceeding the natural
replenishment led to :
Depletion.
Increase in the capital and operational
cost.
Increase in salinity.
Waste Water Reuse
Solves two problems :
Environmental Pollution
Water Resource Deficit
Available in different alternatives: Secondary,
Tertiary, UF & RO.
Various applications depending on treatment
level
Sewage Treatment
Sewage treatment is traditionally divided into the following stages:
Primary treatment, which is based on physical operations such as screening, de-
gritting and odour control.
Secondary treatment, which is biological treatment using activated sludge and
performed in bioreactors (aeration tanks) and classifiers.
Tertiary treatment, which applies physical and chemical operations such as
filtration and chlorination.
RO treatment, which applies ultra and micro filtration using Reverse Osmosis.
Sludge treatment, which applies physical and biological treatment operations such
as thickeners and digesters (aerobic).
The Sewerage System in Kuwait
The present & future strategies
for the sanitary sector
A Replacement of deterred pipes
(asbestos) with a better quality pipes that
have longer life time which can reaches 50
years and over and can resists the
aggressive soil from outside and the highly
polluted sewage from inside.
B - Replacing the old concrete manholes
with new lined manholes which can resist
the aggressive nature of the gases that
emissions from the sewage.
Renovation of old network as follows:
C - Improving the slope of the sewer
pipes in the hole network to gain the
following :
1- Faster flow inside the pipe (self cleaning).
2-Deleting old lifting and pumping stations
to reduce the operation , maintains and
odor problems.
3-Constracting new 6 huge pumping stations
which will replace the 21 old pumping
stations and there related lifting stations.
The present & future strategies
for the sanitary sector
New Deep Tunnel Sewers
and Pumping Stations
Four main sub-catchments will be served by
the newsystem
1. Mishref PS Serves areas to the south and
east of the City centre and transfers sewage
to Ardiya PS and on to Sulaibiya Sewage
Treatment Plant (STP)
2. Riggae PS Serves areas to the north and
east of the city centre and also transfers to
the Ardiya/Sulaibiya system
3. Egaila PS Serves the south of the Kuwait
Municipal Area and transfers sewage to the
Riqqa STP.
4. Jahra PS Serves the Jahra catchment and
will transfer sewage to Kabd STP
FUTUER SEWAGE NETWORK
MAIN GRAVITY LINES 100 Km
MAIN PRESSURE LINES 120 Km
NORTH
A7
Mishref
Egaila
Ardiya
JAHRA
PUMP
Sulaibiya
WWTW KABED
WWTW
Um Hyman
WWTW
MAIN PUMPING STATIOS (5)
Jahra STP
Sulaibiya STP
Umm Al Hayman STP
Riqqa STP
Al Wafra STP
Failaka STP
Al Khiran STP
Riqqa STP
Umm Al Hayman STP
SulaibiyaSTP
Al Khiran STP
Jahra STP
Sewage Treatment Plants in Kuwait
KABD TREATMENT
PLANT
JAHRA
PUMPING
STATION
Riqqa STP (Tertiary)
Treatment capacity 180,000 m
3
/day, currently receiving 220,000
m
3
/day. Under current Master Plan, sewage flows will be transferred
to new UmmAl Hayman STP by 2015.
Umm Al Hayman STP (Tertiary)
Current treatment capacity of
27,000 m
3
/day and treating
20,000 m
3
/day.
Under the current Master Plan
this site will be expanded to
treat up to 650,000 m
3
/day.
Extensive Treated Sewage
Effluent (TSE) network proposed
for expanded works
Sulaibiya STP, Reverse Osmosis
Sulaibiya is the largest STP in the world that uses Reverse Osmosis
(RO) technology as an advanced treatment for wastewater
Treated wastewater produced is potable water quality standard
and it treats 425,000 m
3
/day. The plant could be further expanded
to treat a maximum of 600,000 m
3
/day.
Sulaibiya STP(RO)
RO Plant: 42 x 72 x 7 = 21,168 elements
Quantity of Treated Wastewater, 2010
STP Site Wastewater
Received
TSE produced RO Product
Water
produced
Wastewater
converted to re-
usable product
m3/d m3/d m3/d %
Sulaibiya 430,000 - 340,000 80
Umm Al
Hayman
20,000 20,000 - 100
Riqqa 230,000 230,000 - 100
Jahra 120,000 120,000 - 100
Al Khiran 300 300 - 100
TOTAL 800,300 370,300 340,000 89
Quality of Treated Wastewater, 2010
Parameter UNIT INFLOW TERTIARY R.O
Parameters
of irrigation
water
MEW
Parameters
of Drinking
water
PH 6.5- 8 6.5- 7.5 6-8 6.5 8 6.8 7.5
Conductivity s/cm 1200- 3000 1100- 2200 1500 515
T.S.S. mg/L 100- 500 < 10 < 1 15 _
V.S.S. mg/L 70- 350 < 7.0 < 1 _ _
C.O.D. mg/L 250- 750 < 40 100 _
B.O.D
5
mg/L 100- 400 < 10 < 1 20 _
Grease & Oil mg/L 10- 50 NIL < 0.05 5 _
T.D.S. mg/L 700- 1800 800- 1500 < 100 _ 400
Chloride mg/L 200- 400 200- 400 _ 103
Ammonia mg/L 15- 50 1- 5 < 1 15 _
Nitrite mg/L 0.04- 0.7 0.1- 1.5 < 1 _ _
Total Count colony/100mL 2.40E+09 1E+03 NIL _ NIL
T.Coli colony/100mL 3.20E+08 400 NIL 400 NIL
F.Coli colony/100mL 4.10E+07 0 - 10 NIL 20 NIL
Salmonella colony/100mL 4.50E+06 NIL NIL _ NIL
Streptococci colony/100mL 1.40E+07 NIL NIL _ NIL
Fungi colony/100mL 2.10E+05 2- 100 NIL _ NIL
WATER PARAMETERS
Characteristics of treated wastewater
used for Irrigation
The quality of treated wastewater used for irrigation in
agriculture and landscaping falls within the standard limits laid
down by Kuwait EPA and Kuwait MPW.
Sulaibiya recycling plant is designed to comply with Kuwait EPA
standards, that are in line with other agricultural water reuse
standards such as USEPA standard
Product Water contains zero bacteria count
Product water contains lower levels of organics, solids and
ammonia than those required by potable water standards
Reuse of Treated Wastewater
Treated wastewater (TSE) provides both moisture and
nutrients for the growth of plants and other vegetation.
Reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation and landscaping
has proved to be an important and alternate source for
irrigation and other uses in Kuwait.
The volume of wastewater is estimated to be 70 to 80 % of
the potable water consumption by the population.
Treated wastewater is available to different standards in
Kuwait; Tertiary & RO Product Water
Evolution of Wastewater Reuse
Water Reuse in Kuwait
Solves two problems:
Environmental Pollution
Introduction of new strategic water source
Various Applications depending on treatment level
Seeking new applications for reuse, Sewer Cleaning?
Current Demand for TSE exceeds the available supply
Distribution of Treated Water
Due to the huge demand for treated wastewater in different
areas in the State of Kuwait, it was necessary to construct
extensive TSE distribution networks as shown in the
following slides.
The TSE network consists of DMC (Data Monitoring Centre),
holding tanks of different sizes, pumping stations and long
pipelines of various diameters.
As a result of providing treated wastewater, a decrease in the
demand for freshwater has been noticed.
At the same time, the demand for the treated water
increased to a point that demand at this moment is more
than the available supply.
Kuwait
Border
Bubiyan
Island
Failaka
Island
N
Project A: 8 MIGD
Project B: 26 MIGD (B1&B2)
Project C: 16 MIGD
40 MIGD
40 MIGD
Project D: 25 MIGD
20 MIGD: Z Farms
0.5 MIGDscientific club
1.1 MIGD Hunting & Chivalry Club
1 MIGD Civil Aviation
Kuwait
Airport
1.5 MIGDAlshohada Farm
2 MIGD West Fintas
3.6 MIGD Umm Al Hayman
0.1 MIGD Omari &Rabiya Farm Future Projects :
Different Projects :
Ongoing Projects :
DM
C
Abdally
Farms
Wafra
Farms
Um-al Ramam Lake
TSE Pipelines
One TSE gravity DI pipeline
(1100mm Dia) from Jahra
STP to Reservoirs in DMC.
TSE Pipelines
Four effluent GRP pipe
lines (1400mm Dia) from
Sulaibiya WWTP to
Reservoirs in DMC.
TSE Pipelines
Uses of Treated Wastewater
Government of Kuwait is committed to make urban and suburban areas
greener and to encourage Agricultural Projects such as:
Beautification all over Kuwait with Landscaping
Crops and Alfalfa Locations :
~ Al Wafra Farms (RO) - (Crops)
~ Al Abdally Farms (RO) - (Crops)
~ Al Mutahida (Tertiary) - Alfalfa
~ Al Rabya (Tertiary)
~ Artificial lagoons: Um-Al Ramam Lake
Two Golf Courses, one built to International PGA Standards
Treated Wastewater
Usage in Kuwait
Golf Courses
Golf course/Race track
Alfalfa Farms
Crops
Strategic Projects Currently
Being Delivered
Agreement No. EF/S/121 Kuwait Sanitary
Master Plan. This project will deliver a
strategy for the development of Kuwaits
sanitary system until 2045. The Master Plan
will incorporate strategy related to the
development of sewers, pumping stations
and sewage treatment plants, as well as the
interaction with final effluent distribution
and sludge management.
Agreement No. EF/S/83 Rehabilitation and
Improvement of Sewerage and
Infrastructure in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Phase
XIII.
Strategic Projects currently
being Tendered
Agreement No. EF/S/87 for Rehabilitation and Improvement of
Sewerage and Infrastructure in Al-Andalus, Gernata, Sabah Al-
Nasser Areas, Phase XV
Financial Models for Future Projects
Private Sector Involvement
State of Kuwait keen to include Private sector to deliver Mega Projects in the
current 5-year Development Plan, 32 Projects identified
Law No. 7 of 2008 provides for Project Implementation through Public Private
Partnerships (PPP), will raise Capital and Boost Efficiency
Partnerships Technical Bureau (PTB) established in 2008 under Decree No. 146
to deliver PPP projects in Kuwait
Projects classified into 3 categories:
Less than KD 60 million (US $ 215 million)
Between KD 60-250 million (US $ 215-900 million)
More than KD 250 million
Current list of Mega Projects include:
Kuwait Metro and Rail
Roads Master Plan
Expansion of Kuwait International Airport
Development of Failaka Island
Az Zour Independent Water and Power Production
New Umm Al Hayman Sewage Treatment Plant
Financial Models for Future Projects
Private Sector Involvement
New Umm Al Hayman STP procured through PPP
Ultimate capacity of new STP will be 650,000 m
3
/day
Cost of new Umm Al Hayman STP and related works
is about KD 450 million (US$ 1.6 Billion)
Related Works includes comprehensive TSE
Network
Transaction Advisory Services being tendered now
New STP and TSE Network will be operational by
2015
Summary
Water supplies are being put under increasing stress due to
population, drought and per capita usage increase
Traditional view is that water is an inexpensive and freely
available product, this needs to be changed
Current Kuwait Sanitary Master Plan project is identifying the
strategy for expanding Kuwaits wastewater network and
treatment for the next 35 years
Kuwaits effluent reuse strategy involve TSE for beautification
as well as RO product water for crop irrigation
85% of Kuwaits wastewater is recycled into a reusable product.
Current Demand exceeds Supply of TSE and RO product water
Economic restrictions on development of new facilities means
PPP is becoming a more attractive procurement method for
delivering the new Kuwaiti wastewater development facilities
In Conclusion
The State of Kuwait currently Reuses all its treated wastewater
Major new wastewater treatment plant is planned for Umm Al
Hayman
Umm Al Hayman STP includes an extensive TSE network in the
south in order to ensure total Reuse of all TSE produced
Private sector involvement in the delivery of Umm Al Hayman STP
will be sought through PPP
Water Reuse represents a Genuine Water Resource that
Makes Perfect Environmental and Economic Sense
