Buraidah-2 Wastewater Treatment Plant: Advanced Reuse Facility in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

The Buraidah-2 Wastewater Treatment Plant is a major facility located in Buraidah, the capital of Al-Qassim Province in central Saudi Arabia. It serves a population of 800,000, making it one of the largest treatment plants in the region. The plant is owned by the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) and operated by a consortium including Acciona Agua, Tamasuk, and International Water Distribution Co. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, specifically a LUCAS membrane bioreactor (MBR) followed by reverse osmosis (RO), achieving a high-quality effluent suitable for reuse. With a designed capacity of 150,000 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 100,000 cubic meters per day, it operates at about 67% capacity. This advanced treatment level exceeds the secondary treatment standard typically required for large agglomerations under Saudi regulations. The treated wastewater is fully reused for agricultural irrigation in the Qassim region, supporting local farming and reducing demand on freshwater resources. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's water sustainability goals, particularly in arid inland areas where water scarcity is acute. The plant's effluent contributes to the region's agricultural economy and helps preserve groundwater reserves.

The plant's reclaimed water supports agricultural irrigation in the Qassim region, an arid inland area within the Arabian Peninsula. The region relies on groundwater and treated wastewater for farming, with no natural perennial rivers. By providing a reliable source of irrigation water, the plant reduces pressure on the region's finite aquifers and helps sustain local agriculture, which includes date palms and other crops. The reuse of treated wastewater also prevents nutrient-rich discharge from entering sensitive desert ecosystems, promoting environmental sustainability.