Katara's TSE plant saves cost and water

The newly unveiled Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) Polishing Plant at Katara – the Cultural Village, not only saves costs and water but also enhances the area’s appeal as a destination, according to Katara Project director general, Engineer Mohammed al-Meer.The Katara official told Gulf Times that using high-quality treated water for irrigation promotes healthier plant growth and reduces heat stress on green areas, making Katara even more attractive to residents and visitors."This will hopefully make the public aware of our efforts to not only provide, maintain and improve Katara – the Cultural Village as one of the major leisure and tourist destinations in Qatar but, to do that in a way which is sustainable, both economically and environmentally,” he said, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about the project’s positive impact and its benefits to the public.In addition, Eng al-Meer explained that the removal of corrosive minerals from the TSE water during the polishing process increases the lifespan of cooling equipment, leading to further cost savings and reduced maintenance.About ensuring compliance of the plant's design with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s (MOECC) wastewater treatment parameters, he said: "As with any treatment process, there is a waste element, in this case, salt water, technically termed ‘Brine Rejection’; the MOECC imposes very strict parameters on the ‘Brine Rejection’ quality and this process and end product is fully co-ordinated and approved by them”.He stressed that the plant’s design ensures ample capacity to accommodate Katara's future expansions and the increasing demand for water across the country."As for the entire country, the potential is obviously there to utilise similar installations in other locations and developments subject to the availability of TSE water and the particular requirements of Government and individual developers,” Eng al-Meer said.He noted that the Katara Project aims to transition from using potable water supplied by Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) to utilising readily available TSE water provided by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal).Eng. al-Meer said that Katara is also actively exploring ways to further promote sustainability, such as inviting university students to conduct research at the plant, fostering knowledge sharing and promoting best practices within the sector.Katara has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, a melting pot of art, culture, and entertainment. Its diverse offerings cater to all tastes, from exploring the intricate details of traditional Qatari architecture to immersing oneself in vibrant art and music that celebrates the nation’s heritage.Katara’s calendar features an array of events, covering traditional architecture, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances, among other activities and attractions.