Shurooq and Besix start construction of Qatra

By Rajive Singh

SHARJAH 26 May 2019: Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has started the construction of Qatra, ajoint venture with Besix Group to develop new water reuse plant in Sharjah’s Al Sajaa industrial area.

Set for a January 2020 completion, the plant will produce 5,000 cubic metres per day of high-quality water for non-drinking purposes out of Treated Effluent from the Al Saja’a Sewerage Treatment Plant. This water will be ideal for industrial and domestic uses such as landscaping, and will be a sustainable alternative to desalinated water with four times less energy consumed in its production process.

Marwan Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, said: “Effluent treatment and improving treatment processes are part of Sharjah’s strategic development, which highlights its position and aspiration to provide a research and development platform for a number of resources, products, technologies and solutions that help better the daily lives of residents, nationals and companies in Sharjah. This is in line with the UAE’s vision to build a sustainable future and use resources more optimally.”

Gurvan Dersel, General Manager of Qatra, added “There is a vital need to reuse water for non-drinking applications to reduce the demand on borewell and desalinated water. Hence, investments such as these, provide a new sustainable source of water supply for the community. This is the first project under the Shurooq and Besix alliance and it will be followed by many like it both in the wastewater treatment and water reuse.”

Dersel continued: “Treated sewage effluent (TSE) has tremendous potential in supplementing the ever-growing demand of water. Typically used for watering parks and landscaping purposes, this new treatment solution will allow for a wider usage.”