Saudi Water Sector Announces Full Operational Readiness for This Hajj Season
As the Hajj season 1446H approaches, the Saudi water sector finalized its preparations and confirmed full operational readiness to serve the pilgrims. The comprehensive effort is designed to ensure a reliable and efficient water supply, reflecting integrated technical and field operations that guarantee uninterrupted service and optimized performance. The efforts are aligned with the highest operational standards and inter-sectoral coordination, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
The announcement follows the direct supervision and ongoing oversight of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley and builds on his recent inspection of water projects and facilities in the holy sites. It reflects proactive seasonal planning, which includes the early completion of 18 major projects in Makkah and the holy sites that expanded water networks, strategic storage, pumping stations, distribution systems, and treatment facilities, alongside reinforced supply plans across production, transmission, storage, distribution, and irrigation.
The Saudi Water Authority (SWA) has overseen technical and operational readiness to ensure peak preparedness is fully aligned with an integrated plan that covers the entire water value chain — from production and transmission to storage, distribution, and treatment. Strategic and operational storage capacities have been secured to ensure reliable water services for Makkah, the holy sites, and the Grand Mosque.
The daily transmission capacity of desalinated water exceeds 1.2 million cubic meters, underscoring the preparedness of the production and transmission systems to meet daily peak demand. Transmission pipelines now extend over 1,316 kilometers, with pumping stations operating at an efficiency rate of 125%. Daily water distribution surpasses 750,000 cubic meters.
In terms of environmental sustainability, water treatment plants have a combined capacity of approximately 750,000 cubic meters per day, enhancing resource management in line with the highest environmental and health standards. Over 4,000 laboratory tests will be conducted daily to ensure water safety and quality, using advanced technologies and international best practices.
The high level of operational preparedness — driven by entities such as the National Water Company, the Water Transmission and Technologies Company (WTCO), the Saudi Water Partnership Company, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (serving as the transitional operational arm of SWA), and the Saudi Irrigation Organization — is supported by more than 2,000 national engineers and technicians. Their efforts advance the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, raise standards of quality and reliability, and meet the growing needs of pilgrims, ensuring they perform their rituals in a safe, sustainable, and well-serviced environment.
