From scarcity to sustainability: Saudi Arabia's breakthroughs in water security

Saudi Arabia is spotlighting a dramatic transformation—from one of the most water-scarce nations on the planet to a producer of more than 15 million cubic meters daily after their substantial investments in water infrastructure and innovation, according to a statement sent from the Saudi Water Authority to Nukta.

The Kingdom’s water sector has seen progress in both efficiency and sustainability, the statement wrote. Today, Saudi desalination facilities operate at record-breaking energy efficiency—2.3 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter—while reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 37 million tonnes annually since 2019. These achievements, the government says, are part of a broader strategy aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative. As Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, Governor of the Saudi Water Authority, told Nukta:

We’re not just building some of the most advanced infrastructure in the world—we are redefining how nations approach water security,

Our achievements in desalination, sustainability, and efficiency are not just for the Kingdom—they are a global model to follow.

The Kingdom’s water is transported through a modern transmission network spanning over 14,000 kilometers and distributed via pipelines that extend more than 135,000 kilometers across both urban and rural regions. Wastewater is collected and treated for reuse in agriculture, mining, and industrial sectors, in coordination with the General Irrigation Corporation.

Innovation has played a critical role in this transformation. The Saudi Water Authority is investing heavily in next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence to optimize desalination operations and reduce environmental impact. It is also exploring nature-based solutions, such as using palm trees to prevent erosion and extend the life of critical infrastructure.

With 65% of desalination project investments now sourced locally, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global hub for water technologies. The push toward localization has also created thousands of high-skilled job opportunities and strengthened the Kingdom’s economic diversification goals.