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Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah: Enhancing Sanitation, Sustainability, and Resilience for a Pilgrim City
The Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Wastewater Treatment and Sludge Management project is an essential initiative for the city. It supports the water supply and sanitation infrastructure. Commissioned by the Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah General Water Directorate, the project includes design and supervision. A new sewage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity of 200,000 m³ per day will be built. When combined with the existing facility, the total capacity will reach 440,000 m³ per day. This project will sustainably treat both domestic and industrial wastewater, marking a first for Saudi Arabia. This upgrade is essential for a city that expects to host 30 million pilgrims annually by 2030.
Cutting-Edge STP Design and Sludge Solar Drying in Saudi Arabia
The existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) faced significant challenges in managing shock loads, resulting in poor sanitation standards. Excessive sludge accumulation led to pollution, unpleasant odors, and insects, negatively affecting residents’ quality of life.
These challenges, therefore, underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions and a strategic approach to modernizing Al-Madinah’s wastewater infrastructure. Consequently, K&A developed a comprehensive water and wastewater master plan, using detailed data from the city’s sewer network and strategic reservoirs. After assessing various treatment technologies, the team ultimately selected extended aeration as the preferred method. This approach enhances efficiency and stabilizes biological processes while also accommodating varying waste loads and is reliable and user-friendly.
Furthermore, a groundbreaking feature of the project is the sludge solar drying system, which is the first of its kind in the Kingdom. This system, in particular, employs solar energy within covered greenhouses to dry sludge to 80% solids. As a result, the process produces a stabilized material that is suitable for agricultural and industrial applications. The system spans 25,000 m² and features solar drying cells, achieving a water evaporation rate of at least 3,000 kg/m² per year. Thus, this process effectively reduces pathogen content and minimizes the overall volume of sludge.
Raising Sanitation Standards in Al-Madinah
- The upgraded STP produces clean water that meets standards for irrigation, landscaping, cooling systems, and industrial use.
- By reducing environmental, groundwater, and soil pollution, the project effectively relieves pressure on scarce water resources and enhances urban resilience.
- The stabilized sludge from the solar drying system can be safely reused in agriculture and industry, promoting sustainability.
- Improved treatment systems enhance public health, allowing Al-Madinah to safely accommodate growing populations and millions of pilgrims.
- The project builds sustainable wastewater infrastructure for reliable water management and enhanced environmental resilience.
