At Jeddah conference
The second Stormwater and Wastewater Conference opened in Jeddah on June 23, 2025, drawing attention to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to upgrade critical water infrastructure amid rising climate challenges and rapid urban expansion.
Held at the Jeddah Hilton, the event brought together officials, engineers, and environmental experts to address how cities across the Gulf and broader Middle East can adapt to intensifying flood risks and ageing water systems.
The event is being organised by Creative Connect and Great Minds Event Management with support from various Saudi public and technical bodies. It builds on the success of the 2023 inaugural edition, which laid a foundation for broader collaboration on water infrastructure.
The gathering aligns with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategy aimed at diversifying the economy and strengthening environmental sustainability.
Nariba Gittens, the conference chair and associate director at WSP, highlighted the urgent need to modernise drainage and wastewater systems using coordinated and technology-driven solutions. She said resilience would require joint action across public and private sectors, especially in regions facing increasing rainfall variability and population pressures.
In his keynote address, Eng. Hazem Ibrahim, vice president of the Saudi Society of Civil Engineering, called for a departure from conventional drainage designs. He advocated for the adoption of nature-based systems that integrate with the urban environment, arguing they provide a more effective buffer against climate extremes.
The issue of flood risk took centre stage in a panel discussion led by Dr. Imad Abed Alrahim, a consultant to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. He noted that while the frequency and severity of extreme weather events have increased, recent infrastructure upgrades in Saudi Arabia have limited damage and loss. He said data-driven planning and sustainable drainage strategies, such as green infrastructure, were essential to future-proof development in fast-growing cities.
The conference’s exhibition area highlighted technologies from global and regional firms that support the shift toward sustainable water management. Companies demonstrated systems for water reuse, energy-efficient pumps, and innovative drainage platforms, many of which have been designed for the environmental and climatic conditions of the Gulf.
Firms such as Fugro presented geotechnical tools to assist in flood mitigation in dense urban areas. Others, including Polypipe Middle East, showcased permeable piping and water reuse solutions to tackle urban runoff and reduce reliance on freshwater sources. Saudi-based contractors, such as the Tamimi Group, displayed models for large-scale civil infrastructure projects designed to expand urban areas.
Engineering firms like IDOM and Alwasail introduced systems tailored to industrial zones and new residential developments. At the same time, Autodesk presented digital platforms for managing the entire lifecycle of stormwater systems, from design to maintenance.
Additional technologies were on display from companies including Grundfos, Taldeen, and Hydrofence. These projects involved flood barrier construction, water quality monitoring, and the development of pump systems designed to reduce energy consumption and enhance system performance.
Materials and sealing specialists, including Henkel and AVR, contributed technologies designed for long-term reliability in harsh environments. Most products are designed to reduce water loss, enhance treatment capacity, and prolong the lifespan of infrastructure.
Presentations throughout the day focused on circular water management, flood simulation, and urban design principles for resilient cities. Experts stressed that the coming years would require integrating these solutions into planning frameworks not only in Saudi Arabia but across the Gulf and North Africa, where water scarcity and flash flooding are growing concerns.
The conference will continue on June 24 with further technical sessions, policy discussions, and case studies, aiming to develop a roadmap for regional cooperation on sustainable urban water strategies.
Middle East News 247 is a Media Partner of the Stormwater and Wastewater Conference 2025.
Image: The Stormwater and Wastewater Conference 2025 aligns with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategy. Credit: Shanu Azhikode
