Saudi Arabia is facing an escalating water crisis, driven by its extreme climate, rapid population growth, and limited freshwater resources. In response, Saudi Arabia is determined to secure a water-sustainable future, positioning its efforts as essential to both national resilience and global water security. It is taking a multifaceted approach to tackling water scarcity, with a focus on technological innovations, institutional alignment, and regional leadership in water management. 

Regional Water Scarcity and Escalating Challenges in Saudi Arabia

Water scarcity in the Middle East and North Africa is at critical levels, threatening both human and economic activities. Growing urban populations and agricultural demands are stretching water resources, and the situation is expected to worsen as population growth accelerates. By 2050, all countries in the region are projected to face extreme water stress, a reality underscored by recent climate data showing 2024 to have been the hottest year on record.

Among Gulf Arab states, Saudi Arabia faces some of the most acute water challenges. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and agriculture, coupled with environmental pressures, such as prolonged droughts and aquifer seawater intrusion, are straining the kingdom’s water supply. Inefficient irrigation practices and groundwater overexploitation worsen the situation. With limited surface water and depleting groundwater reserves, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on costly, energy-intensive solutions, like desalination and groundwater extraction.

Saudi Arabia’s Water Security Strategy: Key Frameworks and Institutional Roles

Saudi Arabia has adopted a multifaceted strategy to address its mounting water challenges, reflecting a clear alignment with the broader objectives of Vision 2030. Central to this effort is the National Water Strategy, which emphasizes sustainable resource management, technological innovation, and institutional reform to ensure the country’s long-term water security.

The operational backbone of the kingdom’s water supply lies with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, which manages the kingdom’s extensive desalination infrastructure, and the National Water Company, which is responsible for water distribution and wastewater management in urban areas. Together, these entities form a cohesive framework aimed at improving water management, ensuring service reliability, and addressing the country’s water scarcity.

Saudi Arabia’s water strategy is built around several key pillars designed to ensure long-term water security:

1. Demand Reduction:
The kingdom has introduced initiatives to curb water consumption across sectors, addressing inefficiencies in agriculture, households, and industry. A cornerstone of these efforts is the Qatrah program, which aims to cut daily per capita water consumption by nearly half by 2030. Through public awareness campaigns and water-efficient technology incentives, the program encourages sustainable practices at both individual and institutional levels. Advanced irrigation systems are also replacing water-intensive methods, reducing agricultural demand, which constitutes nearly 80% of water use.

2. Diversifying Water Supplies:
To secure reliable water sources, Saudi Arabia is expanding its desalination capabilities, which already supply over half of its drinking water. Key infrastructure projects, such as the Jubail-Buraydah Independent Water Transmission Pipeline, underscore the kingdom’s commitment to improving water availability. A Saudi consortium has recently been selected as the preferred bidder for the approximately 365-mile pipeline, which will deliver desalinated water to the eastern and Qassim regions, meeting the needs of both urban and rural populations.

Wastewater treatment and reuse are also integral to the kingdom’s supply diversification efforts. Treated water is increasingly used in Saudi agriculture and industry, reducing dependency on freshwater resources. Furthermore, partnerships with global leaders in sustainable water technology aim to ensure that these solutions minimize environmental impact.

3. Enhancing Resilience:
Saudi Arabia is fortifying its water infrastructure to mitigate future shocks, and the Ras Mohaisen – Baha – Makkah Independent Water Transmission System is a key project. The Independent Water Treatment System is intended to provide a reliable supply of desalinated water to urban centers and underserved areas in western Saudi Arabia, promoting regional equity in water distribution. The Independent Water Treatment System, spanning about 186 miles with a transmission capacity of 515,000 cubic meters of water per day, will serve urban and rural areas. The initiative moved forward in December 2024 with 31 companies invited to participate in the project bidding process.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, in collaboration with the private sector, has launched the Voluntary Commitment to Water Sustainability initiative, encouraging industries to adopt best practices in water use, such as recycling and efficient processes.

4. Institutional Alignment:
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture oversees water policy and management, while the Saline Water Conversion Corporation and the National Water Company focus on desalination and distribution, respectively. However, potential coordination issues and inefficiencies among these entities could undermine the effective implementation of water initiatives, making it crucial to address these potentential institutional gaps to achieve Vision 2030’s ambitious water goals.

Desalination: A Central Pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Water Security

Desalination has become a critical pillar of Saudi Arabia’s water security strategy to meet the kingdom’s escalating water demands. Given the country’s lack of natural freshwater resources, the focus on desalinated seawater has surged, positioning the technology at the heart of its national efforts to secure a sustainable water supply.

As mentioned, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes not only energy diversification but also a shift toward more efficient water management solutions. This transition highlights desalination as an essential tool in mitigating water scarcity, providing an immediate and reliable solution to meet both domestic and industrial needs.

The scale of investment in desalination plants has been staggering. The kingdom operates the world’s largest desalination plants and has allocated $80 billion for over 3,300 water projects. By 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture aims to fulfill 90% of Saudi Arabia’s water needs through desalination and 10% through ground and surface water.

These plants are increasingly powered by renewable energy, making them integral not only to the kingdom’s water strategy but also to its long-term sustainability. The Jazlah plant was the country’s first large-scale solar-powered desalination facility. And the AlKhafji plant, part of the Saudi Green Initiative, is the world’s largest solar-powered desalination project.

However, despite these advancements, desalination faces challenges, such as high costs, energy consumption, and environmental concerns, particularly around brine disposal. Addressing these challenges, through better integration of renewable energy and advanced brine management solutions, is key to ensuring the scalability and environmental responsibility of desalination efforts.

Private sector involvement has been pivotal in this drive, with companies including ACWA Power and Advanced Thermal Energy Storage Solutions playing leading roles in the development and operation of key desalination plants. ACWA Power, for instance, has been instrumental in developing the Shuqaiq 3 plant, which combines reverse osmosis technology with solar energy, showcasing a strategic integration of renewable energy and water production. Meanwhile, Advanced Thermal Energy Storage Solutions is making significant strides in advancing energy storage solutions, which complement desalination processes by providing a stable energy supply for plants, particularly in areas where renewable energy intermittency is a concern.

Looking ahead, technological innovations, such as seawater reverse osmosis, as employed in ACWA Power’s Rabigh 3 facility, and energy recovery devices for desalination, will improve desalination efficiency, helping the kingdom meet its long-term water sustainability goals.

As part of its broader sustainability efforts, Saudi Arabia is prioritizing the integration of renewable energy across various sectors. Neom’s focus on renewable-powered desalination and the Red Sea Global Project’s goal for zero wastewater discharge and high recycling rates demonstrate the kingdom’s ambition to align water production with sustainability. Furthermore, institutions, such as the Saudi Water Innovation Center and Water Technologies Innovation and Research Institute, are actively promoting innovation and supporting local solutions to advance water sustainability.

By fostering an integrated approach that merges desalination with renewable energy and sustainable practices, Saudi Arabia is seeking to strengthen its water resilience and ensure long-term environmental and resource conservation.

Industry Collaboration and Public Engagement in Water Sustainability

Water management responsibilities in Saudi Arabia are progressively being shared with private sector industries. The National Water Company collaborates with the private sector to oversee water distribution in urban areas. At the same time, the Saudi Water Partnership Company is leading efforts to foster public-private partnerships to attract private investment. The company aims to achieve 100% private sector involvement in desalinated water production by 2030. Industries in water-intensive sectors, such as food and beverage, manufacturing, and agriculture, are increasingly adopting technologies to enhance water efficiency and promote sustainable practices. The National Water Company, alongside the Saudi Water Innovation Center, has launched an incubator to turn innovative ideas into projects aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.

Equally important is the role of public perception in fostering a culture of water conservation. Raising awareness among the Saudi public, particularly younger generations, about the critical importance of responsible water usage is vital for long-term sustainability. Encouragingly, public perception of water-related issues in Saudi Arabia has evolved significantly in recent years. An October 2024 Ecolab study showed that 50% of Saudi consumers view clean and safe water as a major concern over the next five years. The study also found that 77% recognize government efforts toward sustainability, 67% applaud business progress, and 81% are ready to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products, signaling a shift in environmental priorities.

Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in Water Diplomacy

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a prominent leader in global water diplomacy, leveraging its expertise and resources to address water scarcity challenges both domestically and internationally. In 2020, during its presidency of the G20, Saudi Arabia prioritized water security on the international agenda. The kingdom also hosted the inaugural G20 Water Dialogue, focusing on “Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) to Combat Water-related Diseases and Pandemics, such as COVID-19.” This initiative underscored the essential role of water in sustainable development and global health. Building on this momentum, in 2023 Saudi Arabia announced plans to establish a Global Water Organization to serve as a platform for international collaboration on innovative water technologies and solutions. On December 1, 2024, the Saudi Water Partnership Company convened a high-profile forum in Riyadh, gathering experts, policymakers, and innovators.

These initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s dedication to fostering international cooperation on water security, aligning with its broader foreign policy objectives and its Vision 2030 goals. By investing in water infrastructure and promoting sustainable water management practices, the kingdom seeks to enhance water availability and quality, not only within its borders but also across the globe.

Saudi Arabia is also taking a leadership role in global water diplomacy. The kingdom has financed over $6 billion in water projects across 60 developing countries aimed at addressing water scarcity, drought, and the impacts of climate change. In February 2024, the governors of the World Water Council elected Saudi Arabia and Riyadh the host for the 11th World Water Forum in 2027, “Action for a Better Future.” The Saudi Fund for Development and the Global Water Organization signed a cooperation memorandum in October 2024 to establish a framework for international water project financing.

Workshops hosted by the kingdom have brought together local and regional specialists to explore solutions for sustaining and managing springs and aflaj (ancient irrigation systems) and exchange best practices. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, is establishing the International Water Research Center to address water challenges through applied research and advanced technologies.

There is room to explore further cross-border collaboration on water-sharing agreements, particularly in regions such as the Red Sea basin. By addressing such gaps, the kingdom could bolster its position as a water diplomacy leader.

Laying the Groundwork for a Resilient Water Future

Saudi Arabia’s multifaceted approach to water management, combining technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability, sets the stage for improved water security in the coming decades. With ambitious projects such as Neom and the Red Sea Project, the kingdom is aligning its water strategy with broader environmental goals while fostering industrywide efficiency improvements.

As Saudi Arabia moves toward its Vision 2030 objectives, it is laying the groundwork for a resilient water future that meets the demands of a growing population and mitigates the impact of climate change. However, continuous innovation, efficient institutional coordination, and further international collaboration will be critical to ensuring the kingdom’s water security remains robust in the face of evolving challenges.