Latest news with #Kahramaa
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar strengthens water security through strategic planning, global partnerships
Doha: Qatar is well-positioned in terms of water security, thanks to the proactive vision of the nation's leadership, which began planning for water resilience more than two decades ago, said an official. Qatar operates from a position of strength, with comprehensive risk management frameworks and business continuity systems firmly in place,' said Head of the Water Control Section at Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) Eng Abdulhadi Masoud Al-Marri. Speaking to Qatar TV recently, he said that the key focus areas include ensuring sufficient water availability to meet national needs and maintaining high water quality standards. Al-Marri also discussed current and future projects, water sources, the impact of climate change, technological innovations, and Qatar's role in global cooperation on water sustainability. As a country with no significant groundwater resources, he said Qatar relies almost entirely on seawater desalination for its freshwater supply. 'Currently, over 99.9% of Qatar's water comes from desalinated seawater, with less than 0.01% sourced from underground aquifers. The abundance of marine resources not only supports water production but also fuels other sectors such as energy and fisheries,' said Al-Marri. He noted that climate change poses new challenges. Rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to higher seawater salinity, which in turn increases the energy required for desalination. Nevertheless, Qatar has anticipated these challenges and is actively implementing sustainability measures and environmental protection initiatives to adapt effectively. 'Qatar uses two primary desalination technologies: The thermal desalination method, where seawater is heated, condensed, and re-mineralised to produce potable water. The reverse osmosis (RO) method, which uses high-pressure filtration to separate salt and impurities from seawater,' said Al-Marri. He said that both methods are environmentally sound and safe, with RO being particularly favoured for its energy efficiency and future potential across the Gulf region. 'One of Qatar's most notable achievements in water management is the development of the largest strategic water reservoirs in the world, which have earned recognition from the Guinness World Records,' said Al-Marri. He said that these mega-reservoirs significantly enhance the country's ability to store and distribute water efficiently, allowing for seamless supply across all regions of Qatar. The water supply process is organised in three stages: strategic reservoirs store desalinated water long-term, operational reservoirs manage short-term supply and daily distribution, and water is then delivered to end users, including homes and businesses. This multi-tiered system ensures flexibility, reliability, and resilience in Qatar's water distribution network. Recognising that water security is a global issue, Qatar actively collaborates with international organizations such as the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Through these partnerships, Qatar gains access to the latest technologies, data, and policy insights. The country also participates in global conferences and exchanges scientific papers, which contribute to the development of advanced solutions in areas like pumping systems, water storage, valves, control technologies, and cybersecurity. Looking ahead, Qatar aims to expand national water storage capacity by constructing additional reservoirs, enhance remote-control systems and digital monitoring of water infrastructure and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across desalination and distribution facilities — a move already underway within Kahramaa. Qatar's water security strategy reflects a forward-thinking, sustainable approach that prioritises innovation, resilience, and global cooperation. Through long-term planning, strategic infrastructure, and public engagement, Qatar is not only meeting current demands but also preparing to face future environmental challenges with confidence. Qatar places strong emphasis on water conservation and public awareness. A dedicated department within Kahramaa has launched multiple projects focusing on behavioural change and sustainability education. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Kahramaa, IAEA launch training workshop on groundwater isotope studies
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), organized a training workshop on the principles and applications of radioactive and stable isotope studies of water. These methods are considered among the most prominent scientific techniques worldwide for identifying sources and ages of groundwater. In a statement, the Corporation indicated that cooperation with the Agency began following Kahramaa's participation in the first training workshop held in Vienna, Austria, from Jul. 22 to 26, 2024, within the framework of the IAEA's West Asia regional project. This was followed by participation in a second workshop held in the Sultanate of Oman from Dec. 8 to 12, 2024. The workshop included hands-on training under the supervision of an IAEA expert on isotope use and data analysis. Additionally, 10 supplementary water samples and ten others for groundwater age determination were collected. The statement affirmed that the workshop helped enhance understanding of groundwater cycles by studying recharge sources, flow paths, and water quality analysis, as well as identifying potential sources of pollution and developing feasible action plans that support the sustainable management of this vital resource. The workshop also aimed to raise awareness among professionals and specialists about the importance of groundwater and best practices for its utilization, as well as identifying areas suitable for safe use without impacting water reserves. Kahramaa emphasizes the importance of strengthening international cooperation with specialized agencies and institutions, believing in the role of knowledge exchange, continuous awareness of the latest developments, capacity building, and the adoption of best practices in addressing issues and challenges to support efforts in protecting water resources and achieving Qatar's 2023 Vision and Kahramaa's sustainability and water security strategy.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- General
- Qatar Tribune
Kahramaa, IAEA hold workshop on groundwater isotope studies
QNA Doha The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), organised a training workshop on the principles and applications of radioactive and stable isotope studies of water. These methods are considered among the most prominent scientific techniques worldwide for identifying sources and ages of groundwater. In a statement, Kahramaa indicated that cooperation with the IAEA began following Kahramaa's participation in the first training workshop held in Vienna, Austria, from July 22 to 26, 2024, within the framework of the IAEA's West Asia regional project. This was followed by participation in a second workshop held in the Sultanate of Oman from December 8 to 12, 2024. The workshop included hands-on training under the supervision of an IAEA expert on isotope use and data analysis. Additionally, 10 supplementary water samples and 10 others for groundwater age determination were collected. The statement affirmed that the workshop helped enhance understanding of groundwater cycles by studying recharge sources, flow paths, and water quality analysis, as well as identifying potential sources of pollution and developing feasible action plans that support the sustainable management of this vital resource. It added that the workshop also aimed to raise awareness among professionals and specialists about the importance of groundwater and best practices for its utilisation, as well as identifying areas suitable for safe use without impacting water reserves. Kahramaa emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation with specialised agencies and institutions, believing in the role of knowledge exchange, continuous awareness of the latest developments, capacity building, and the adoption of best practices in addressing issues and challenges to support efforts in protecting water resources and achieving Qatar's 2023 Vision and Kahramaa's sustainability and water security strategy.
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Kahramaa completes smart electricity meter installation
Doha: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has completed the installation of smart electricity meters across all regions of the country, marking a significant milestone in the national drive towards digital transformation in utility services. Senior Smart Meter Engineer in the Customer Services Department at Kahramaa Eng. Maryam Abdullah Muftah has said that 100% of electricity meters have now been replaced with smart meters, while 50% of water meter installations under the smart metering project have also been completed. Speaking to Qatar TV recently, she said: 'This is a major transformational project that aligns with Qatar National Vision,' Muftah stated. 'The smart metering system has ushered in a new era in how we provide electricity and water services in the country.' She said that Kahramaa launched the smart meter initiative in 2021, beginning with electricity meters. 'With full nationwide deployment now achieved, the focus has shifted to completing the installation of smart water meters, with plans to achieve full coverage in the near future,' said Muftah. She said that the benefits of the smart meter rollout are already evident in Kahramaa's service model. Muftah highlighted that all services related to metering—such as initiating or transferring accounts—can now be processed completely online, without the need for customers to visit service centres. She said that everything has become digital and easier, not only for customers but also for the service teams at Kahramaa. 'Customers can now track their electricity and water consumption in real time. They are also able to access and pay their bills through the Kahramaa website or mobile application. Additionally, they can request billing statements and monitor their usage patterns conveniently from their devices,' said Muftah. Beyond convenience, smart meters play a crucial role in ensuring fairness and combating violations. According to Muftah, the meters have been instrumental in detecting violations of electricity and water regulations. 'Fortunately, we've observed a high level of compliance recently,' said Muftah, noting that the monitoring systems at Kahramaa's control centres have proven effective in identifying irregularities. The smart meter project is part of Kahramaa's broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in line with Qatar's national objectives. The Smart Meters Project is a strategic mega initiative that includes over 12 sub-projects aimed at replacing all conventional meters with advanced digital meters for every consumer in Qatar. The ambitious plan targets full deployment of smart electricity meters by the end of 2025 and smart water meters by the end of 2027. These state-of-the-art smart meters are equipped with a wide range of features that enhance both user experience and operational efficiency. They allow real-time tracking of consumption, prepaid payment options, early fault detection at no extra cost, and faster property transfer and billing procedures. A dedicated mobile application informs customers of their consumption patterns, promoting better energy and water use management. At the core of the initiative lies a robust smart platform that forms the digital backbone for managing electricity and water data. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Novel project to enhance Qatar's water security
Qatar - bNovate Technologies, a leader in advanced microbial water quality monitoring, will partner with Hamad Bin Khalifa University ( HBKU) in the SMART-Distribution project, a pioneering initiative to address critical challenges in Qatar's water distribution networks. The project seeks to enhance the resilience of Qatar's water infrastructure against climate-induced risks through innovative, real-time water quality monitoring and advanced risk assessment tools. The SMART-Distribution project, led by the Sustainability Division at HBKU's College of Science and Engineering ( CSE), in collaboration with bNovate and end-user Kahramaa, aims to increase the resilience of drinking water systems, enhancing both robustness and adaptability. This partnership will ensure the implementation of an agile, risk-based monitoring system that provides real-time data on water quality during storage and distribution. Water security in Qatar faces escalating threats from climate change, including limited freshwater resources and reliance on vulnerable alternative sources such as seawater desalination. This project will assess the climate readiness of Qatar's water distribution networks through a robust resilience and risk assessment framework . It will also deploy a real-time monitoring network mobile platform and evaluate water quality variations under controlled environments and real-world conditions at Qatar Foundation's Education City, serving as a Living Lab . Peter Desmond, assistant professor, CSE, emphasised the initiative's importance: 'The SMART-Distribution project represents a critical step forward in ensuring the resilience of Qatar's water infrastructure. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and collaborative innovation, we address current challenges and pave the way for sustainable water security in the face of climate change.' bNovate's CTO, Luigino Grasso, highlighted the company's role in the project: 'bNovate is thrilled to contribute our expertise in microbial water quality monitoring to this transformative project. Our advanced flow cytometry technology will be key in understanding microbial regrowth potential and biofilm development, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions to safeguard Qatar's water supply. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering market-led innovations that address real-world challenges.' The SMART-Distribution project aligns with the ambitious targets of Qatar's National Water Management Plan 2030, ensuring reliable water security amidst emergent climate-induced challenges. By fostering collaboration between HBKU, bNovate, and Kahramaa, the project adopts a cyclic innovation approach to generate tangible, end-user-focused solutions. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
