Wastewater to see fastest growth in Middle East water market

It is predicted that total capital expenditure on wastewater will grow from $5.3bn in 2009 to $13.3 by 2016. This is good news for the private sector. It is forecasted that over the next eight years private operators will enjoy average growth rates of 20% per annum.

Along with the opportunities on offer there are a number of legacy challenges being faced by the current wastewater infrastructure. In countries including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia less than 10% of the cost of water delivery and production are covered by tariffs.

Maintenance has often been neglected and leakage rates are very high, and certain treatment facilities have ceased to operate as investment has been put into newer larger projects.

From 14 - 17 June 2009 IQPC, a global provider of tailored, industry-driven conferences, will be hosting WastewaterTech 2009. This is an important four-day event focusing on the development of effective and profitable wastewater infrastructure, as well as covering practical and policy issues in safe treatment and sustainable reuse.

The event will be officially inaugurated by the UAE Minister for Environment & Water, H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, on the first day of the main conference, Monday 15 June 2009.

James Plotnek, Conference Director for WastewaterTech 2009 says, "This is a critical time for the key decision makers in the region to come together and examine the major issues faced by the wastewater sector. By understanding the opportunities for change it will help achieve a sustainable future for the Middle East water sector."

WastewaterTech 2009 will feature speakers from Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency, Regulation & Supervision Bureau and the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company, as well as Dubai Municipality, the Govenment of Ajman and the Saudi Arabia Council of Engineers. They will be joined on the agenda by a host of international experts in wastewater from the private sector.

At the main conference on 15 and 16 June 2009 attendees can immerse themselves in two full days of presentations and case studies from senior local and international speakers, as well as interactive discussions on crucial issues. Accompanying the conference on 14 and 17 June are four half-day workshops taking an in-depth look at the critical issues of asset management, project finance, reuse, and the use of wetlands as a solution to wastewater.

WastewaterTech 2009 runs from 14 - 17 June at the Hilton Abu Dhabi, UAE.