WTE will be responsible as general contractor in Kuwait notably for the planning and construction of a wastewater treatment plant and – together with partners – a sewerage network with pumping stations. The contract values correspond to around EUR 600 million and EUR 950 million respectively.

In Umm Al Hayman, one of the world’s largest projects is being built to treat wastewater from southern Kuwait and to supply agriculture and industry with wastewater treated to the highest standards (treated sewage effluent – ‘TSE’).

The dimensions of the project, which is being carried out by WTE as a one-stop solution, are enormous: At its heart is the wastewater treatment plant, designed for 1.7 million people – and which will even be expandable at a later date – which is part of a 450 km long network of wastewater and TSE pipelines, pumping stations and vast reservoirs.

The plant, which will also receive its own 300 kV transformer station thanks to WTE, will produce its own biogas in the course of the purification process, with which it will cover the majority of its energy requirements itself.

Highly complex total packageas a safe one-stop solution

WTE is supplying the emirate with a total package for planning and construction, from wastewater collection, purification and distribution through to energy generation, composting and plant operation – as a one-stop solution.

A time frame of 30 months for the wastewater treatment plant and respectively 48 months for the sewer network with pumping stations and reservoirs is envisaged for implementation. Subsequently, WTE will operate the treatment plant for 25 years and the sewer network for three years.

Kuwait – one of the fastest growing economies of the world

Not only Kuwait’s economy is growing – its population is also increasing by about 3 percent annually. This is why the emirate is expanding its infrastructure true to its vision „Kuwait 2035“ in a progressive, as well as a sustainable manner.

In addition to waste disposal, the Gulf State is using this lighthouse project to ensure the production of large quantities of TSE (treated sewage effluent) for agriculture, greening and industry in an entire region.

Biogas from wastewater supplies a large part of the energy demand

In a three-stage process of wastewater treatment, by means of mechanical and microbiological degradation processes, the plant produces its own biogas in such quantities that it covers a large part of the energy demand.

Thanks to this enormous CO₂ saving, the 100 percent use of process water and the significant reduction in the demand for costly desalinated drinking water, the plant provides a major contribution to implementing the „Kuwait 2035“ vision and the Kuwaiti national energy efficiency strategy.

A vision becomes reality: WTE CEO, Dr. Ralf Schröder, Director; Sales & Financing, Joachim Dudey, as well as Director Sales & Tendering, Jörg Köring, provide insights into the technically fascinating world of the wastewater mega-project Umm Al Hayman, which in future will supply agriculture and industry of an entire region with treated sewage effluent (TSE).

Vast area, extensibility, large dimensions

The mega-project in Umm Al Hayman, 50 km south of Kuwait City, will be realised on a vast area and will increase the capacities of the wastewater treatment plant from currently 28,000 m³ to initially 500,000 m³. A further expansion capability to 700,000 m³ is already planned – and would correspond to the volume of 280 Olympic swimming pools.

TSE distribution, reservoirs

The project also includes the construction of a 450 km long network of wastewater and TSE pipelines, as well as one of the largest pumping stations in the world, with a flow rate of 8.3 m³/s at a delivery head of 140 m, allowing the 280 pools mentioned above to be completely filled in less than 24 hours. In addition, 37 reservoirs and corresponding pumping stations will be built. The two largest reservoirs provide a capacity of 160,000 m³ and 100,000 m³.

Transformer station, ESO (emergency sea outfall)

WTE is also responsible for the construction of two transformer stations, 300 kV and 132 kV, and the associated overhead lines. The 300 kV station does not only supply the plant, but also provides capacity for further electricity consumers in the region. The power generated could also be used to supply the inhabitants of a medium-sized German city with a population of around 200,000.
In addition, WTE is building an emergency sea outfall (ESO) with the aid of microtunnel technology, which will extend into the sea over a length of 2 km.