54 million m3 of water used for agricultural purposes in 2016

Sanitary Engineering Operation and Maintenance Director of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Shawqi Al Mandeel stated that the amount of water used for agricultural purposes in 2016 amounted to 54 million cubic metres.

This is considered to be part of the strategy of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning; aiming to provide sustainable water resources and contribute positively to the achievement of the strategies and policies of the Water Resources Council, chaired by HE the Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

Treated sewage water is used for irrigation purposes at public parks, landscaping, industry, construction and other purposes; in accordance to environmental requirements and the possibility of using treated water in coordination with the concerned authorities. Tubli Sewage Treatment Plant receives the treated water tankers belonging to farms every week, which they distribute free of charge to those wishing to benefit from it in agriculture.

As for water produced at plants and is used for agricultural purposes and landscaping, Tubli Sewage Treatment Plant last year produced 53 million cubic meters, while North Sitra Plant produced 237,000m3. Muharraq Sewage Treatment Plant produced 246,000m3, the University of Bahrain produced 167,000m3, while Hamala Plant produced 183,000m3, and Jaw Plant produced 29,000m3. All flows were used for the irrigation of green spaces.
Al Mandeel stressed that treatment systems used in all plants are considered to be the latest globally recognized treatment systems that produce high quality waters. The plants are operated through the remote control system (ESCADA), where the Ministry managed to reduce pressure on its plants by the adoption of modern treatment systems and the expansion of some plants.

‘Treated water produced by the 12 plants using the tri-treatment method is considered to be one of the best available treatment methods, which conform to the specifications determined and approved by the Ministry of Health,’ said Al Mandeel.