Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani touring the control room of the mega reservoirs project and pumping stations in the Umm Salal area, yesterday. Also seen are the Minister of Energy and Industry H E D
DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated yesterday the first phase of water pumping of the strategic mega reservoirs project and pumping stations in the Umm Salal area. The launch of the first phase of the water pumping is part of the state’s plans to raise strategic water reserves.
The QR14.5bn “Water Security Mega Reservoirs” project includes 15 giant water tanks with a capacity of about 100 million gallons each, situated at five locations across the country. The project, which is one of the largest reservoir projects in the world and the first in the region, will increase the existing water storage capacity of country from 900 million gallons to 2,300 million gallons over the next six months, showing a rise of 164 percent.
Despite blockade, the giant project was commenced six months ahead of schedule.
The Prime Minister toured the control room and the pumping station and was presented a detailed explanation on water storage and pumping as well as control mechanisms and methods of work in the reservoirs.
He praised the mega project implemented by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) in the water sector, which has the largest reservoirs of its kind at the world level, lauding the technology used in the project and Kahramaa’s efforts to enhance the water security of the State of Qatar.
The Prime Minister also expressed government’s support for this important strategic project which contributes to improving the quality of life in Qatar, supporting food security, meeting the growing demand for water and contributing to enhancing the water sector’s ability to meet the country’s comprehensive development needs. He also directed that efforts must continue to provide water services in a sustainable manner to all sectors in the country and according to the highest quality standards.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and Kahramaa President Eng. Essa Hilal Al Kuwari, and other senior officials. The Minister of Energy and Industry, H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada stressed that the launch of the first phase of water pumping of the strategic mega reservoirs project was in line with the wise government’s plans and the vision of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of achieving water security in the state. He pointed out that the total storage capacity will increase to a total of 1,398 million gallons of water to meet the state’s demand until 2026.
The Kahramaa President, Eng. Al Kuwari, said that reservoirs were built in five different locations across Qatar including Um Baraka, Um Salal, Rawdat Rashid, Abu Nakhla, and Al Thumama. He was speaking in a press conference on the sidelines of inaugural ceremony of the mega project yesterday.
He said that the project will link these reservoirs to the existing local water distribution network to cope with the population growth and urban growth witnessed by Qatar, he added.
He said that approximately 650km long water pipelines of large diameters and different sizes were laid to link these reservoirs and desalination plants adding that the total cost of the project is QR14.5bn
“The project was commenced six months ahead of schedule and it was revised, which led to the reduction of cost from QR17.2bn to QR14.5bn saving about QR2.7bn without any impact on the quality of the project,” said Al Kuwari. “The project will add about 1,400 million gallon water totaling 2,300 million gallons of water storage capacity of Qatar,” said President of Kahramaa.
He said after blockade, Kahramma formed a team to bring alternative sources of import for construction materials in collaboration with contractors. “Some key materials which were required in urgency were imported in cargo flights. The biggest cargo flights were hired to carry the pipes to deliver the project on time,” said Al Kuwari
He said that strategically, one of the water reserve tank was built on the height of 50 meters from sea level at Rawdat Rashid in case of electricity outage at pumping station in any emergency situation, this tank will supply water to Doha city and its outskirts through gravity formula.
“The tank was designed to be the largest concrete tank for water in the world with 300 meters in length and 150 meters in width and 12 meters in heights. We are working to register in Guinness Book of Wold Record. The purpose was not to make a world record but to ensure water security in the country,” said Al Kuwari.
He said that additional space is available at the project site to build extra water tanks with additional capacity of 900 million gallons within 12 months
“This project comes within the framework of the state’s efforts and plans to raise the strategic water reserves for various areas and is the backbone of water security in the country in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Kahramaa’s mission to provide sustainable and high quality electricity and water for a better life in Qatar,” said Al Kuwari.
He said that since its establishment, Kahramaa has been striving to provide Qatar’s electricity and water services in the highest quality and sustainable manner, in addition to harmonising the economic, social and environmental activities in accordance with the principle of achieving Kahramaa’s development objectives, especially as this project is a quantum leap in the field of water storage technology.
