Saudi Arabia's Jeddah governorate has allocated USD 2.39 billion for drinking water and sanitation projects over the next three years, a senior official told Zawya.
While some of these projects have been started, others will come up for bidding soon, the official said on condition of anonymity. Of the total cost, approximately USD 266.72 million will be spent on sewerage networks, USD 130 million on water network reform to minimize leakage, and the rest on creating strategic water storage sites and delivery mechanisms.
Documents viewed by Zawya show that more than 3,900 sewerage connections have been completed by the government-owned utility National Water Company (NWC) in the north of Jeddah and another 132,000 will be made by 2015 in three phases.
Projects under the initiative include strategic storage of 1.5 million cubic meters of water in the Briman area. Four other strategic storage points will add 560,000 cubic meters of water in eastern Jeddah.
NWC has set 2015 as the target for completion of water delivery lines, a lifting station and a maritime line in southern Jeddah. The maritime north mouth is likely to be completed next month, the official said.
© Zawya 2012
