U.S.A. – The U.S. government has allocated $12.6 million for a new treatment plant to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility (BGNDRF) in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The BGNDRF, a federally-owned desalination research facility, faced the discovery of PFAS in its groundwater supply, leading to the closure of half of its test wells. The contamination is believed to originate from a cookware manufacturing company, Presto, with PFAS levels in one well exceeding the EPA's proposed federal drinking water standard by 70 times. The treatment plant is expected to remove PFAS, allowing the reopening of closed research water-supply wells. The new facility manager, Malynda Capelle, anticipates the construction of the treatment building to take between six months to two years. (Source NM)
OMAN – Oman ranks second among Gulf countries in the use of desalinated water, with 86% of its water consumption coming from desalination, according to a study by the French Institute of International Relations. Kuwait leads with 90%, followed by Saudi Arabia with 70%, and the U.A.E. with 42%. The study highlights the global scarcity of water for human consumption, with only 0.5% of Earth's water suitable for this purpose. Climate change poses a threat to this limited supply, especially for Gulf Arab countries, where desalination is the primary option. The study notes a significant increase in desalination plants worldwide, projecting that two-thirds of the world's population will experience water stress in the next two years. (Times of Oman)
EGYPT – The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE), with assistance from the Ministry of Finance’s PPP Central Unit, has prequalified 17 consortia for the tendering process of seawater desalination plants powered by renewable energy in various locations across Egypt. The prequalified consortia are categorized based on their experience in desalination projects globally and regionally. Egypt's water desalination program aims to achieve a total planned capacity of 8.85 million m3/day by 2050, with 3.35 million m3/day planned by 2025 as the First Phase. The program seeks foreign and local strategic investors to develop, construct, and operate plants using renewable energy, aiming to transfer technology and localize manufacturing. TSFE, part of a special committee formed by the Prime Minister, is managing the offering process for the First Phase, collaborating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to structure and implement desalination projects in partnership with the private sector. (SOLARQUARTER)
INDIA – Residents in Chennai are raising concerns about the quality of water supplied by the Nemmeli desalination plant, which has been operational since 2013. Complaints include high turbidity, brown color, and high total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, making it unsuitable for consumption and domestic use. The desalination plant uses a reverse-osmosis process to treat seawater, but residents claim the output water is far from potable, leading to health concerns. The TDS levels in the treated water exceed the recommended limit, and residents report spending significant amounts on purchasing potable water or installing additional water purification systems. Despite residents' complaints, officials have not taken adequate action, and issues with water quality are attributed to potential membrane damage in the desalination plant and challenges in maintenance. Residents are urging authorities to address the root cause of water quality problems and improve the operation of desalination plants to ensure reliable future water supply. (Citizens Matters)
The Nemmeli desalination plant, Chennai, India. Credit: Va Tech Wabag
INDIA – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) desalination project in Manori, Mumbai, faces further delays. Originally sidelined by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis due to high costs, the project was revived by Uddhav Thackeray, only to be deprioritized again under the current Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. The BMC considered two water solutions: the desalination plant and the Gargai dam, ultimately choosing the former to avoid environmental impact on Tansa Wildlife sanctuary. Despite engaging Israeli company IDE Technologies and SMEC India to evaluate the project, tenders are yet to be floated five months after approval. The BMC had allocated $2.8 million for the project in the 2022-23 budget but failed to initiate bids by August 2022, and a similar allocation has been made in the 2023-24 budget, with no specified deadline. The estimated cost of the project is $490 million, covering facility setup and maintenance for 20 years. (Mid-Day)
IRAQ – The Iraqi government, addressing concerns over declining water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is considering desalination of seawater as a solution to combat water scarcity, according to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. Urgent international assistance is sought to counter water insecurity, with warnings that Iraq's main rivers could be entirely dry by 2040 unless immediate action is taken. Agriculture, heavily dependent on irrigation, is at risk, and the UN Environment Program predicts a 20% decrease in water availability in Iraq by 2025. (RUDAW)