المملكة: From afforestation to recycling.. "National waters" Expanding its sustainable environmental impact

Continue National Water Company Expanding its contribution to environmental sustainability and protecting natural resources, in a way that embodies its goal of protecting water resources for humans, the environment, and the future of the Kingdom, and supports the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, through initiatives and projects that contribute to raising the efficiency of utilizing water resources, enhancing the circular economy, and restoring vegetation.

The company turns these goals into a tangible impact on the earth, as its efforts have contributed to planting more than 6.7 million wild trees, and treating more than 966.95 million trees. One million cubic meters of wastewater, which enhances the efficiency of water use and supports the recovery of Vegetation cover.

Wastewater treatment

Sustainability does not stop at afforestation alone; The company strengthened its environmental compliance system by aligning its operations with national regulations and legislation, as 30 operational sites, including 29 wastewater treatment plants, obtained the global environmental ISO 14001 certificate.

The environmental control system supported the qualification of 60 internal auditors and 12 main auditors, and the implementation of 6 specialized workshops to raise the efficiency of operational personnel, in conjunction with the issuance of 137 environmental permits for the company’s projects. And its operational facilities.

In the path of the circular economy, the company recorded an 8% increase in the quantities of treated wastewater, while the percentage of utilization of treated water reached 21.8% in strategic sectors that included: irrigation, industry, mining, energy, and oil and gas extraction. To ensure that the quality of this water conforms to the approved specifications, the company’s laboratories conducted 237,151 microbial and chemical tests.

Waste Management and Recycling

The environmental impact extends to waste management and recycling; The company dealt with 34,000 tons of non-hazardous waste and 29,000 tons of solid hazardous waste.

Environmental initiatives included licensing the first integrated engineering landfill in Jeddah, and launching projects to produce bioenergy from sludge through non-aerobic digesters at the Ajyal and Hit stations, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the utilization of operational waste. The company planted 6.7 million trees out of a target of 10 million trees by 2030, distributed over more than 150 sites across the Kingdom. The afforestation work included planting more than 25 local plant species that are compatible with different natural environments.

The company is preparing to expand its contribution to national environmental initiatives by planting 15 million mangrove trees on the eastern and western coasts of the Kingdom by 2030, in addition to implementing programs to measure rates of Carbon absorption using advanced sensing technologies.

Notable International Achievements

The Buraidah Environmental Oasis recorded notable international achievements by entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest man-made oasis, achieving the first globally approved water footprint, and the first approved carbon footprint in the Middle East and Europe, in addition to its role in supporting biodiversity through the release of 15 Reem antelopes as part of programs to reintroduce fungal organisms.

This confirms Indicators: The growing role of the National Water Company in achieving a balance between operational growth and environmental preservation, by adopting sustainable solutions that contribute to protecting natural resources, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting economic development in the Kingdom.

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