Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Province and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, inaugurated Wednesday a number of water projects in Makkah , In the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jeddah, and His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Province.
The Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen A. AlFadley Said that the launching of the six major water projects Executed by Saline Water Conversion Corporation, the National Water Company and the Saudi Water Partnership Company confirmed the continued care and attention paid by the wise leadership for water sector and services in Makkah and the holy sites.
The Minister added: "The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has ensured that all projects and water plans are based on the objectives of the National Water Strategy and the Comprehensive Water Plan in the Kingdom in order to reach a sustainable water sector that conserves water resources, preserves the environment, offers quality services and contributes to the economic and social development ".
AlFadley mentioned that the total value of the executed projects exceeded 3.1 billion Saudi Riyals to serve the pilgrims of Umrah and Hajj in Makkah and the holy sites, whom are estimated to reach 15 and 30 million by the years 2020 and 2030 consecutively.
The Minister pointed out that these projects include: the execution of desalinated water pipeline from the Shuaiba Water Desalination Plant to Makkah and the holy sites at a total cost of 875 million Saudi Riyals, and the second phase of the Shuaiba Water Desalination Plant project with a water production capacity of about 250 thousand cubic meters per day at a total cost of 1175 million Saudi Riyals, as well as water service projects including: water networks, household connections, strategic water reservoirs, sewage networks and connections at a total cost of over 600 million Saudi Riyals in a number of neighbourhoods in Makkah and the holy sites. In addition to the fumigation multi-impact Shuaiba Water Desalination Unit at a total cost of 465 million Saudi Riyals.