WTE Wassertechnik GmbH shines at the 2024 Asian Water Awards

Its Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Treatment Plant won Water Company Excellence Award - Kuwait and Sustainable Water Infrastructure Award - Kuwait.

WTE Wassertechnik GmbH has been honoured with both the Water Company Excellence Award - Kuwait and the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Award - Kuwait at the prestigious 2024 Asian Water Awards. Their groundbreaking Umm Al Hayman Wastewater Treatment Plant has set new benchmarks in sustainability, water recycling, and environmental protection.

As general contractor, WTE has undertaken the design, construction, financing, and operation of this vast facility. The project, which serves a population equivalent (PE) of 1.7 million, is one of the largest and most advanced wastewater treatment facilities in the world. It showcases WTE’s 30 years of experience in the field and underscores its commitment to innovation, resource conservation, and climate protection.

‘Closing the water cycle’

At the heart of the Umm Al Hayman project is the philosophy of “closing the water cycle,” a goal that is critical in a country like Kuwait, which receives minimal rainfall.

The plant’s capacity of 500,000 cubic metres per day is an impressive feat, with the ability to be expanded to 700,000 cubic metres per day as needed. Through its state-of-the-art processes, the facility is capable of treating wastewater to a standard where it becomes a valuable resource, ready to be reused for agricultural irrigation and industrial applications.

This innovative approach highlights the plant’s role in fostering a sustainable future for one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the world.

Multi-stage disinfection process

WTE’s focus on advanced treatment processes ensures that the water emerging from the Umm Al Hayman plant meets the highest standards. The plant’s tertiary treatment includes cloth filtration to reduce solids, ultraviolet disinfection, and gaseous chlorine as the final disinfection stage. This multi-barrier approach guarantees that pathogens are effectively removed, resulting in high-quality treated water.

The final product is not only safe but also essential for supporting local agriculture, which benefits from the reuse of water and the production of valuable compost from treated sludge.

The facility’s innovative design also incorporates biogas production as a sustainable energy source. The thermophilic and mesophilic digestion processes optimise biogas output from sludge, which is then converted into electricity, partially powering the plant and reducing its reliance on external energy sources.

WTE’s Umm Al Hayman project goes beyond the technical excellence of wastewater treatment. It also reflects the company’s commitment to improving working conditions and ensuring the highest safety standards for the 3,500 people involved in the project. From the outset, WTE prioritised the health and well-being of its workforce, ensuring fair working conditions and strict safety protocols.

The environmental benefits of the plant are equally impressive. In addition to ensuring 100% reuse of treated water, the facility produces 70,000 tonnes of Class A quality compost per year, which is used as fertiliser to boost agricultural productivity. This process helps close the resource loop, transforming what would be waste into valuable products that support local ecosystems and the economy.

By winning both the Water Company Excellence Award - Kuwait and Sustainable Water Infrastructure Award - Kuwait, WTE has solidified its place as a leader in innovative water management and environmental stewardship.

The Asian Water Awards, now in its second year, is a prestigious award programme that recognises outstanding achievements in the water sector throughout Asia. It is a platform for highlighting innovative projects, initiatives, and companies that have significantly contributed to the region's water management, conservation, and sustainability.