Riyadh, Sept 19, SPA -- The Saudi Government spent on projects of the saline water conversion corporation (swcc) up to the end of the fiscal year 1427-1428 more than sr 62 billion.
The Kingdom knew water desalination since more than 80 years when King Abdulaziz ordered establishment of a water desalination station for providing Jeddah with desalinated water.
In 1394 the saline water conversion corporation (swcc) was established to undertake the responsibility of water desalination.
In 2007 the Kingdom produced more than 1066 million cubic meter of desalinated water.
Jubail station for desalination of water is considered as the biggest station of its kind at the world level.
There also water desalination stations in Makkah, Madinah Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Shakik and Khobar.
In 1427 the approval of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was issued for increasing the desalinated water production from Shu'eiba station by 150,000 square meters per day for meeting the requirements in Jeddah.
During the fiscal year 1427-1428 about sr 4 billion were allocated for the swcc, while in the fiscal Year 1428-1429 more than sr5,053,160,000 were allocated for the projects of water desalination.
The sources of the swcc expect that the requirements for drinking water will amount to about six million cubic meter per day in 1446. The cost of establishing water desalination stations for the next years will amount to about sr 70 billion. The private sector will be capable of contributing to the implementation of water desalination projects.
In line with the Royal approval the private sector will contribute to the implementation of the project of Yanbu-Madinah at its third phase.
Arrangements are underway to implement water desalination stations in Wajh, Rabigh, al-Leith, Qunfuza, Farasan and Amluj.
In 1407 a research and development center was established in Jubail. The center includes five basic laboratories which are provided with sophisticated equipment.
In 2005 the center was called the institute of water desalination research.
Realizing the importance of training the national cadres the swcc established in 1402 a training center in Jubail.
In recognition of its achievements in the field of water desalination, swcc was awarded the prize of the international desalination organization for 1999.
The swcc started since 1418 a national plan for the awareness of the citizens with the importance of water and the importance of rationalization of its consumption.
© Saudi Press Agency 2008
