Gary Player tees off with Septech's water solutions expertise

Septech, in conjunction with its world-class partner GE Water and Process Technologies, is to provide a dedicated desalination plant for the ongoing construction of the golf course.

"Septech was awarded the contract based on the company's reputation for providing innovative and sustainable water solutions for regional golf course developers, as the construction of golf courses in arid desert environments bears unique challenges not seen anywhere else in the world,"

said David Heffernan, Septech's CEO.

"Water is a crucial element in the development and ongoing maintenance of golf courses worldwide, however in this region having a reliable source of water is of paramount importance.

In line with TDIC's and South African golfing legend Gary Player's commitment to sustainable development, the Gary Player Championship Golf Course on Saadiyat Island demonstrates strong eco-responsiveness.

"Septech and GE are leading the way in sustainable golf course development in the Middle East by introducing on-site water treatment and desalination plants that prevent further stress from being placed on already depleted natural resources, provide a constant, reliable access to clean water, to facilitate and sustain course construction and ongoing management."


"Expert water management is key to the success of my first UAE course, and it's essential to take into account the limited water resources in the region," said Gary Player.

"As an environmentalist, I'd be concerned if the course was being developed using well-water, which would reduce the water table. I'm more than impressed by TDIC's solution in conjunction with Septech to provide a sustainable desalination water solution.

"This method allows our Saadiyat Beach golf course to be eco-friendly - it will make Abu Dhabi a better place and it's a better investment for the Emirate's future."

Septech's innovative approach to supplying on-site temporary, short and long-term water treatment and desalinated solutions for golf courses places it far ahead of the game, underlining the company's ambition that water sustainability becomes a 'par for the course' consideration for all future regional golf course developments.

The MENA region currently accounts for 5% of the world's population, however it holds less than 1% of the available world's freshwater resources.

Water extraction within the GCC far exceeds the natural renewable water resources for the region.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar extract 945 m3, 841 m3, and 478 m3 per capita respectively over and above their available natural water resources.

This combined with the fact that the average per capita natural renewable water availability locally is about 1,200 m3 per annum, whereas the world average is close to 7,000 m3 per annum makes fresh, potable water an extremely valuable resource regionally.