Al Wathba 2 STP - Major Wastewater Treatment Plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Al Wathba 2 STP is a major wastewater treatment facility located approximately 40 km south-east of Abu Dhabi city in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates. The plant serves a population of 1.5 million, making it one of the largest treatment plants in the region. It is operated by Veolia & BESIX under the ownership of Al Wathba Veolia Besix Waste Water PJSC. The plant employs activated sludge with biological nutrient removal to achieve secondary treatment standards. With a designed capacity of 300,000 m³/day and current operation at full capacity, it treats and recycles a substantial volume of wastewater. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC), which ensures compliance with local environmental standards. All treated effluent is reused for landscape and forestry irrigation within the Abu Dhabi region, supporting green spaces and agricultural development in an arid environment. This reuse strategy conserves freshwater resources and reduces demand on desalination, aligning with the UAE's sustainability goals. The plant plays a critical role in the region's water management, contributing to the preservation of local aquifers and the ecological health of the surrounding desert environment.

The treated wastewater from Al Wathba 2 STP is entirely reused for irrigation, eliminating direct discharge into natural water bodies. This practice supports the greening of Abu Dhabi's arid landscape, including parks, forests, and agricultural areas, while reducing reliance on groundwater and desalinated water. The reuse program helps protect the region's fragile desert ecosystems and contributes to the sustainability of the local water cycle.