Back for its second year, WaterWorld Middle East Conference and Exhibition continues to go from strength to strength. Set for February 4-6 2013 in Doha, Qatar, the event will feature an update on Qatar's IDRIS drainage programme and will include debates on the changing nature of the desalination market and wastewater treatment options.
Qatar continues to lead the Middle East as one of the fastest growing markets for water development, with estimates suggesting 44 power and water projects in the GCC worth US$31.9 billion are already underway or started this year.
Hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is expected to spend $10 billion US dollars on water infrastructure alone over the next decade. In light of this WaterWorld Middle East 2013 conference and exhibition will bring the water sector together at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Doha, Qatar, from 4-6 February 2013. Organised by PennWell in partnership with Qatar's Ministry of Works – Ashghal – as platinum sponsor, WaterWorld Middle East 2013 will showcase Qatar and the region's biggest opportunities.
The event is now in its second year after a successful launch and co-location with POWER-Gen Middle East.
Both events will be under the Patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry in Qatar, other event supporters will include the Arab Countries Water Utility Association (ACWUA) and industry analysts, Frost & Sullivan, as the Knowledge Partner.
A strategic and technical conference will feature Mr. Nasser Al Kuwari, Manager of the Drainage Projects Department at Ashghal, delivering a presentation on Qatar's IDRIS (Inner Doha Re-sewerage implementation strategy) Programme.
The IDRIS programme is designed to provide new municipal drainage and wastewater treatment for the Doha South area, extending from the Souq Waqif area to southern districts of Doha. A date of 2019 has been slated as the completion deadline.
The event could not come at a better time. The conference and exhibition will see over 50 speakers and eminent chairs and speakers from 20 countries around the world deliver presentations and panel discussions in response to the opportunities and challenges in water supply and sanitation in the MENA region.
Top speakers across two conference tracks will include presentations by Dr Corrado Sommariva, president of the International Desalination Association, Khalil Atasi, chief executive officer of CDM-Arabia, Prof. Thomas Missmer from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Dr Ilham Kadri, general manager MEA, Dow Water and Process Solutions, UAE.
Key conference topics to be discussed at WaterWorld's Middle East will include Utility Management; Water Resource Management; Wastewater Reuse; Industrial Water Treatment; Technology Debate: Wastewater Options.
A clear technology shift is being witnessed in the conversion of seawater to potable, drinking water. For decades Qatar and other Middle Eastern nations heavily relied upon giant thermal desalination facilities. Yet increasing water scarcity and lower cost membranes are meaning large scale plants are coming online. Furthermore, planned capacities for Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants are increasing every quarter. RO technology has overcome the challenges of pre-treating feed water by using ultrafiltration modules.
In light of this, a panel debate entitled: "Desalination's Changing Landscape – Thermal to RO" will be one of the highlights of WaterWorld Middle East. This exciting new session will bring together representatives of thermal, membrane, hybrid and forward osmosis desalination to discuss the latest projects, results and technologies in lively comparative debate.
Other panel debates will include a technology discussion on Wastewater Options & Merits. Ending the conference on a high, this debate will allow representatives from each of the different technologies to discuss and compare available treatment options, challenges and benefits.
Companies speaking will including Trojan UV, Toray Membrane, Norit X-Flow, Headworks MENA on Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) and BAUER Nimr LLC on reed bed treatment.
Alongside the comprehensive strategic and technical conference, an exhibition will be taking place, showcasing global technologies for the regional market.
Author's note: For further information about WaterWorld Middle East 2013, taking place in Doha, February 4-6, visit www.waterworldmiddleeast.com
