Saudi Arabia is expanding the use of treated wastewater as a strategic resource to support industrial and urban growth, with industrial consumption projected to exceed 100 million cubic meters annually by 2030. The push comes alongside the launch of a new national irrigation code designed to save about 2 billion cubic meters of water each year. CEO of the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO) Mohammed bin Zaid Abu Haid told Asharq Al-Awsat that water has become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s development agenda. He said rapid economic growth and the rollout of megaprojects across Saudi Arabia are driving demand for treated water as a key component of project infrastructure. The corporation manages and operates dams while overseeing the transport, distribution, and reuse of treated water for urban, industrial, and agricultural purposes, a sector that is expanding rapidly, he said. Treated water use in industry has risen by about 50 percent over the past two years, increasing from roughly 20 million cubic meters to 30 million cubic meters by the end of 2025. Abu Haid expects consumption to surpass 100 million cubic meters by 2030. Urban demand has also grown sharply. Consumption for parks, green spaces, and projects under the Saudi Green Initiative climbed from about 65,000 cubic meters to nearly 13 million cubic meters, with forecasts pointing to 150 million cubic meters annually by 2030. Abu Haid identified the Saudi Green Initiative as one of the main drivers of demand for treated water, alongside development projects, nature reserves, and expanding urban applications. He also announced the imminent launch of the Irrigation Practices Code, developed by the corporation in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The code is expected to raise irrigation efficiency in the Kingdom from about 55 percent to more than 70 percent. Once fully implemented, the code is projected to save around 2 billion cubic meters of water annually. Field trials have shown higher farm productivity, increased farmer incomes, and more efficient water use. The code also aims to reduce water consumption in grain cultivation from 9,750 cubic meters per hectare to about 6,500 cubic meters per hectare. Abu Haid said the project is in its final stages and will be officially launched during the World Water Forum.
