U.A.E. – The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has signed a 30-year water purchase agreement with Saudi company ACWA Power for the first phase of the Hassyan seawater desalination project using solar energy. This is part of DEWA's plan to increase its water desalination capacity from 1,854,851 m3/d to 2,763,350 m3/d by 2030, aligning with Dubai's economic expansion and the 2040 Urban Master Plan. ACWA Power was selected as the 'Preferred Bidder' for the project, which involves constructing and operating the world's largest Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant. The project, with an investment of $914 million, will produce 681,374 m3/d of desalinated water and use cutting-edge SWRO technology powered by solar energy. DEWA aims to produce 100% of desalinated water by 2030 through clean energy and waste heat, contributing to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. (SOLARQUARTER)
AUSTRALIA – Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has flagged plans to build a new desalination plant in south-east Queensland, possibly at Kawana on the Sunshine Coast, by 2035 to ensure the region's water security. Concerns have been raised among experts and environmentalists who argue that the state should first make full use of existing recycled water facilities. Critics point out that the state's existing 59-gigalitre Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme is being left largely dormant, with no immediate plans to recommission the $2.7bn project. Palaszczuk stated that the state needs water from both recycling and desalination. (The Guardian)
U.S.A. – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has granted Oceanside $201,000 for the city's Water Recycling and Desalination Planning Project. Oceanside received the award to investigate expanding water reuse and increasing water recharge, aiming to ensure water resources are used efficiently and sustainably. The federal funding will support evaluating the expanded use of treated wastewater at the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility for recycled water production, as well as the expansion of the Advanced Water Purification Facility for groundwater recharge and seawater desalination. The study aligns with Oceanside's goal of achieving 50% local water supply by 2023, enhancing water independence and resilience. (KPBS)
U.S.A. – During a Corpus Christi city council meeting, discussions became heated over the proposed water desalination plant. Outside, members of the For Greater Good organization opposed the idea, expressing restraint to support a memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.) between the city and the Port of Corpus Christi regarding the potential water supply project. Isabel Araiza, co-founder of For the Greater Good, alleged that the M.O.U. violated the Texas Open Meetings Act. Inside the meeting, council members debated the details of the M.O.U., with only three members in support. The proposal failed in a 5-4 vote, prompting the need for further communication with the Port of Corpus Christi regarding project responsibilities and influence. (Kristv)
The Metro Cebu Water District building in Cebu City, Philippines. Credit: MCWD
PHILIPPINES – The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is set to commence civil works and pipe-laying activities in Lapu-Lapu City for two desalination plant projects aiming to produce 45,000 m3/d of water for over 70,000 local residents. The 3,000-meter pipe-laying project, expected to take around 10 months, will stretch from Barangay Basak to Barangay Marigondon. The project is part of MCWD's Basak-Marigondon pipeline expansion to ensure self-sustainability in Mactan Island's water supply, connecting pipes to suppliers like Mactan Rock and Filinvest Development Corp. Utilities Inc. (Sunstar)