THE MIDDLE EAST: BECOMING THE CRADLE OF WATER INNOVATION

The Middle East has emerged as a global leader in water innovation, particularly in the fields of desalination, water and wastewater treatment and the decarbonisation of the water sector. Situated at the crossroads of three continents, the Middle East faces unique challenges when it comes to water scarcity, making it imperative for the region to develop groundbreaking solutions to sustain its growing population and meet its water demands.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the most water-scarce region in the world. Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that MENA nations are at risk of facing the greatest economic loss from water shortages due to climate change, which by 2050 could account for 6 to 14 per cent of GDP. Therefore, this has led the nations of the Middle East to embrace a new and disruptive way of conceiving ideas and making them a reality when it comes to water.

Desalination has become a cornerstone of water supply in many Middle Eastern countries, allowing the region to meet its water needs. By adopting avant-garde desalination methods and

PUBLISHER iAgua Conocimiento, S.L. utilizing renewable energy sources, desalination projects in the area have reduced their carbon footprint and embraced sustainability, becoming in this way, pioneers of this water process worldwide.

The Middle East has also made significant strides in the realm of water and wastewater treatment. With an increasing focus on environmental sustainability and water conservation, the region has implemented cutting-edge technologies.

Off-the-charts thinking is needed to make every drop count in the Middle East. To make the region’s audacious water goals a reality, the top water players are hired to continuously challenge the boundaries of technological possibilities and human ingenuity in order to bring these innovative ideas to fruition.

EDITORIAL STAFF

Laura Fernández Zarza

Paula Sánchez Almendros

Olivia Tempest Prados

Cristina Novo Pérez

Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly 18 examines the latest trends and the most disruptive water solutions implemented in the area by analysing groundbreaking projects, such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and its focus on renewable energy and brine beneficiation and the development of some of the largest desalination projects in the world.

The protagonist of this issue, Julio de la Rosa, Business Development Director, Middle East at ACCIONA’s water business, speaks to SWM in an exclusive interview about the company’s latest activity in the region and its essential contribution to the development of sustainable desalination solutions.

MANAGEMENT

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

David Escobar Gutiérrez

EDITOR

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

ADVERTISING

Javier de los Reyes

ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Pablo González-Cebrián

Esther Martín Muñoz

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

INTERVIEW FEATURE ACCIONA’S STRATEGY IN MIDDLE EAST

Pg. 18 SWM interviews Julio de la Rosa, Business Development Director, Middle East at the water business of ACCIONA.

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

RO TO MEET DECARBONISATION GOALS

Pg. 32 In this interview with Mark Hedges (EWEC) we learn how water projects are contributing to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 initiative.

FUTURE-PROOFING DESALINATION

Pg. 76 Learn how desalination plants can enter the digital age with minimal risk and optimise their operations with Siemens solutions.

Making The Most Of Brine

Pg. 48 Christos Charisiadis shares his thoughts about the beneficiation of saline effluents from desalination plants and the potential of ZLD.

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

Opinion Interview Interview Feature Filtralite Media At Work

Pg. 54 The implementation of Filtralite media at the Beni Saf desalination plant in Algeria allowed energy savings in the pre-treatment area.

Achieving Water Positivity

Pg. 30 We hear from Alejandro Sturniolo from H2O Innovation about the Water Positive framework, which was developed by 50 professionals.

Submersible Pumps And Motors

Pg. 58 Focusing on pumping solutions and optimizing water cycle management, Ingeteam Water makes every water drop count in the Middle East.

Meeting The Needs Of The Middle East

Pg. 24 Veolia Water Technologies uses its cutting-edge technologies to assist the Middle East region tackle its pressing water challenges.

FEATURE

TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT PFAS

Pg. 44 Concerns about PFAS have led to an increased focus on remediation: ECT2’s regenerative technology has been treating PFAS since 2013.

INTERVIEW

GROUND-BREAKING

WATER PROJECTS

Pg. 36 We had the opportunity to speak with Fady Juez, Metito Managing Director, about some the company’s unique recent initiatives.

OPINION

TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

Pg. 100 Water utilities can gain insights into usage, detect leaks and optimise their systems with solutions like AMI and targeted interventions.

INTERVIEW

AFFORDABLE FLOATING DESALINATION

Pg. 68 Desalination buoys can provide competitively priced water to coastal communities and industries without compromising the environment.

INTERVIEW

THE PATH TO WATER SECURITY IN THE ME

Pg. 96 We hear from Jemima Oakey, expert on the Middle East about the intricacies of water security in the world’s most water scarce region

INTERVIEW

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS MEET DESAL

Pg. 80 Smart Water Magazine speaks with Sada Krishnan, Global Growth Officer-Water at Envirosuite, about the company’s game-changing technology.

OPINION

CONSERVING

THE WATER SUPPLY

Pg. 94 Cities are turning to technology to optimise the way they manage and conserve water and deal with the threat of water shortages.

INTERVIEW

WAITING FOR A WASH REVOLUTION

Pg. 110 Dr Charlotte MacAlister discusses the first-ever Global Water Security Assessment by UNU-INWEH, and the progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

CONTENTS NUMBER 18 - JUN/JUL 2023

The Magazine For The Key Players Of The Water Sector

FEATURE

JABEGA SYSTEM: SEEING INSIDE PIPES

Pg. 84 This innovative solution by Aganova helps obtain information on conflict spots in water networks without interrupting the service.

INTERVIEW

ACHIEVING DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY

Pg. 88 As companies implement their digital transformation strategy, it is important to avoid the obsolescence of existing systems.

WMO ANNOUNCES SECRETARY-GENERAL

Pg. 42 Prof. Celeste Saulo, director of Argentina's National Meteorological Service, will become the first female Secretary-General of the WMO.

NBS FOR WATER EFFICIENCY

Pg. 101 Nature-based solutions can change the way we manage water resources, supporting the transition to sustainable and circular sanitation.

PERSON OF THE MONTH OPINION INTERVIEW

RENEWABLES MEET DESALINATION

Pg. 64 We hear from Dr Jauad El Kharraz. Executive Director of the RCREEE, about the integration of renewable energies in desalination.

FEATURE

A WATER SECURE FUTURE FOR EGYPT

Pg. 102 Dr Hassan Aboelnga explores the challenges Egypt faces to finance its water sector on its journey to a prosperous and water-secure future.