Qatar- 'Mega Reservoirs' project to be partially commissioned soon

Qatar's ambitious water project ‘The Water Security Mega Reservoirs' aimed at increasing capacity of strategic water storage of the country is expected to be partially commissioned by the end of this year.

'One of the five mega reservoirs and pumping stations located at Al Thumama is expected to start pumping water by the end of this year, Ahmed Naser Al Nasr, Head of Technical Affairs Department at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) told The Peninsula while speaking on the sideline of a press conference organized by Kahramaa.

Al Nasr said: 'The project will be commissioned partially this year because, first of all, the pipelines will be laid to supply water then gradually one by one the reservoirs will be commissioned.

He added that the mega reservoir water project aimed at increasing water reserve capacity of the country significantly which was currently sufficient to meet few-days need.

'Al Thumama water reservoir is expected to be partially commissioned by the end of this year and it will be commissioned fully by end next year, said Al Nasr.

To cope with any emergency situation, Qatar is also ready to utilize its groundwater that is available in enough quantity to cover the requirement of the country for long.

'We have conducted a survey about groundwater in all over the country, said Al Nasr. 'Surface water wells in many areas have potable water and some require minor treatment to make the water consumable by humans, he added.

Al Nasr added, 'Last year, we completed projects to refurbish all these wells which are also fully equipped with ground water reverse osmosis plants and tanker filling stations. The groundwater is reserved only for an emergency.

The groundwater plants have been installed across the country mainly in the north of Doha. They are in a position to go fully operational any time in case of emergency. 'Qatar has about 20 percent reserves of electricity and water to cover the demands for at least next five years depending on the size of growing demand, said Al Nasr.

To meet the growing demand of electricity and water, Kahramaa launched many projects. An electricity and water plant in Umm Al Houl has been recently commissioned.

'We commissioned two big projects last year and this year, RAF-A and RAF-B stations, at Um Al Houl. One is water desalination plant while the other is for electricity and water both, he added. Kahramaa is also working on a new electricity and water project whose consultancy has been awarded. Kahramaa has requested the municipality concerned to allot land for the project most likely in the north of the country and the project is expected to start next year, said official.

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