Rise in reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture

Qatar has substantially strengthened its efforts towards cleaner environment as it reflected in a robust double-digit growth in the reuse of treated wastewater for the agriculture sector.

In its latest monthly bulletin, the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) also found that the country has not reported any discharge of treated wastewater into sea during November against 188,000cu m the previous year period; indicating Doha's pragmatic initiatives towards management and protection of water resources.

Qatar's treated wastewater stood at 23.54mn cu m out of 23.72mn cu m of wastewater received during November last year. The country uses most modern membrane ultrafiltration system that helps recycling of the treated wastewater.

Ashghal (Public Works Authority) had planned and contracted the construction of several wastewater plants, including a phased expansion of Doha West Waste Water Treatment plant, which is today the country’s largest operating wastewater treatment plant.

The increased treatment of wastewater comes amidst 1% increase both year-on-year and month-on-month in population to 2.77mn during November 2019.

The treated wastewater used for agriculture had increased by a whopping 47% to 7.76mn cu m, constituting 33% of the total treated wastewater during November 2019. On a monthly basis, it witnessed a 19% growth.

The treated wastewater reused for irrigation of green spaces saw a 2% jump year-on-year to 5.42mn cubic meters, which accounted for 23% of total treated wastewater during November 2019; even as it reported 17% plunge on a monthly basis.

The treated wastewater reused in deep injection into aquifers registered 1% yearly expansion to 6.74mn cu m or 29% of the total treated wastewater during November 2019. It witnessed more than 6% growth month-on-month.

The treated wastewater discharged into lagoons during November stood at 3.62mn cu m or 15% of the total treated wastewater. Such discharge however saw 57% and 30% decline year-on-year and month-on-month respectively.

As per Ashghal's website, among the projects in progress include Doha South Sewage infrastructure, Al Thakhira Sewage Treatment and Rainwater Drainage Storage in Doha Industrial Area.

Ashghal is responsible for governing the design, construction, delivery and maintenance of all major projects including storm and rainwater, wastewater and sewerage drainage and treatment across Qatar. Its mandate also includes the complex IDRIS project – the Inner Doha Re-sewerage Implementation Strategy.

A key component of its Doha South sewage infrastructure project is the gravity based 16-km-long Main Trunk Sewer that will link a number of areas in the south of Doha to the sewage network. This will reduce the environmental impacts through the full control of odour in sewage treatment works and conveying system, and reduce other environmental problems arising from sewage overflow.


As seen on GulfTimes  Image Credits GulfTimes