A new study has proven that treatment of sanitary drainage could provide a strategic solution to the problem of water shortage in the state of Kuwait.
The study, conducted by the sanitary engineering sector of the Ministry of Public Works, shows that Kuwait has hardly any natural source of potable water so the country has to find alternative sources.
The treatment of drainage water is one of the most important alternatives. Kuwait''s drainage system works on two axes namely; the recycling of drainage water and the exploitation of recycled water in agriculture, the study pointed out.
The ministry is working to extend the drainage system to the new residential areas, modernize the whole system, minimize the number of pumping stations and expand the recycling stations.
The recycled water is used in agricultural and horticultural projects, as well as investment projects such as golf courts, swimming pools and artificial lakes, according to the study.
The modernization program of the drainage system has been divided into 16 stages during which the old pipes will be replaced with new ones.
The number of pumping stations was brought down from 60 to only five gigantic modern stations in AlـReq''ei, AlـArdhiya, AlـOqaila, Meshref and AlـJahra, the study went on to say.
The project aims to improve the quality of Kuwait''s land and marine environment and ensure the health and welfare of all citizens.
The major treatment stations are located in AlـSalibiya, AlـReqqa, AlـJahra, Umm AlـHayman.
Two new stations will be built in the Southern Area and Kabad, according to the study.
The current drainage system, built by the Ministry of Public Works in 1984, produces some 270,000 cubic meters of recycled water per day from the different treatment stations.
In late 2004, the ministry launched AlـSalibiya station, the country''s most modern station which is able to produce 318,000 cubic meters of recycled water a day, the study added.

Alwatan Daily