HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, inaugurated on Thursday 28 June 2018, the first phase of pumping water at the strategic water mega reservoirs project in Umm Salal site, which comes within the framework of the State’s plans to raise strategic water storage.
HE. Minister of Energy and Industry and HE President of Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) as well as senior officials of the Corporation welcomed HE. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The program included an inspection tour at the control room and the pumping station with a detailed description of water storage and pumping, as well as of reservoirs control and mechanisms of work.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, praised and asserted the State’s support for this project. His Excellency also appreciated this great achievement attained with the completion of this massive and vital project and its operation as per the set time schedule under the supervision of its administrators. Furthermore, His Excellency emphasized that this comes under the State’s commitment to the comprehensive development programs and the provision of current and future needs in order to achieve water security and sustainability.
The Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior added that this mega strategic project implemented by KAHRAMAA in the water sector, comprises the largest reservoir of its kind in the whole world. He appreciated the technology used in the project and the Corporation efforts to improve the water security in the State of Qatar.
He uttered the State's support for this important strategic project that plays a major role in improving the quality of life in Qatar, supporting food security, meeting the growing demand for water and contributing to enhancing the water sector capacity sector to fulfill the State’s comprehensive development requirements.
On the same occasion, HE Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry, said: "The operation of the mega reservoirs project comes in conformity with the plans of our wise government and the vision of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on achieving water security in the State. He also stated that consequently, the total storage capacity will increase to about 1398 million gallons of water in line with the requirements of the state until the year 2026.
Eng. Essa Bin Hilal Al-Kuwari, KAHRAMAA President, said: "The operation of this stage of this mega project is considered as an important historical moment for the State of Qatar because of the magnitude of the storage capacity and the huge facilities. The mega reservoirs were established in five different locations across the State, in various areas: Um Salal, Um Berka, Rawdat Rashid, Abu Nakhla and Al Thumama. Besides, these reservoirs are linked to the existing local water distribution network to meet the population and urban growth the State witnesses. He noted “this project in its five sites includes 15 water reservoirs; it is considered as one of the world largest reservoir projects and the largest in the region with a storage capacity of approximately 100 million gallons per reservoir. Additionally, this project includes the installation of about 650 km of water pipelines with large diameters and different sizes to link these reservoirs to desalination plants, indicating that the total cost of this project amounted to QR 14.3 billion.
HE. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior also praised employees’ efforts, the project progress and its achievement in conformity with the set schedule based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar. He also directed that efforts and work must continue to provide sustainable water services to all sectors in the State according to the highest quality standards
On the other hand, it is good to note that this project comes within the State’s plans and efforts to increase the strategic water storage and meet water needs at all areas. It is considered the backbone of the water security in the State in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and KAHRAMAA mission of providing high quality and sustainable electricity and water for better living in Qatar. Since its inception, KAHRAMAA endeavors to provide sustainable and high quality electricity and water services in the State of Qatar in addition to achieving harmony between economic, social and environmental activities pursuant to the principle of achieving the Corporation development objectives particularly as this project is considered a quantum leap in the field of water storage technology.
