Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
In Abu Dhabi, not a drop of water goes to waste. The emirate is leading the way in innovative resource management, repurposing hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of wastewater daily to sustain the irrigation of farms, parks, and green spaces.
Central to Abu Dhabi's sustainability charge, driven by its Environment Vision 2030, is the Al Wathba 2 wastewater treatment plant, a facility designed to serve a population equivalent to one million, with a peak primary treatment capacity of 25,000 cubic metres per hour.
"Water is a valuable asset, and Abu Dhabi remains steadfast in its dedication to optimising its utilisation," Solange Ghantous, Plant Manager at Al Wathba 2, told Aletihad.
She explained that Al Wathba 2 and Allahaman, a second wastewater management facility, are part of a joint green effort between the Government of Abu Dhabi and two private companies, Veolia and BESIX.
"Both plants serve two main purposes: to treat the growing amount of wastewater produced in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain following the current demographic growth, and to recycle treated water for irrigation of the green areas, like farms, parks, and green spaces in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain," Ghantous added.
Al Wathba 2's production capacity currently stands at 300,000 cubic metres per day, and it can pump up to 25,000 cubic metres of water hourly during primary treatment, according to Ghantous.
When operating at full capacity, the plant's operations also produce an average of 32 tonnes of dry biosolids daily.
Biosolids, an organic byproduct of sewage treatment, can be used to fertilise crops, control soil erosion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Treated water from the Al Wathba 2 plant is recycled and used in several sustainable projects in Abu Dhabi, including the irrigation of green areas and supporting agricultural activities," the Plant Manager said, adding that the facility consumes 30 percent less energy than it was predicted during the design stage.
To further enhance environmental sustainability, the plant has integrated biological treatment methods to reduce water odour, significantly reducing the reliance on chemical treatments.
It is also actively developing advanced water treatment technologies, with ongoing studies exploring innovative ways to reuse the biogas produced on-site.
