Demand for wastewater treatment rising in water ravenous Middle East, N Africa

The total water consumption of the Middle East is expected to rise to 319 billion cubic meters (BCM) by 2020, with agriculture utilising the bulk, Frost & Sullivan said in a new projection.

According to Frost & Sullivan, population and economic growth, paralleled by industrial diversification, is already placing immense pressure on water demand.

"The suitability of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation and the increased focus on wastewater reclamation and reuse as a sustainable way to manage diminishing water supplies are set to unfold opportunities for advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, including membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology," it said.

Analysis of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) mmbrane boreactor mrket, estimates the market to reach $280.3 million in 2015. The research covers municipal, commercial, residential, and industrial end-use sectors.

With the business environment becoming transparent and conducive in the Middle East, these 'frontier' economies are expected to infuse funds into the urban water and sanitation infrastructure to achieve Millennium Development Goals, and lessen the reliance and deterioration of dwindling ground water resources. All these point to an uptrend in the use of reclaimed wastewater.

"On an average, 50 per cent of Middle Eastern countries' population is connected to wastewater networks," notes Frost & Sullivan evironmental Industry manager Sasidhar Chidanamarri. "This creates tremendous opportunities for wastewater treatment and recycling technologies."

The Middle East has been at the forefront of embracing new water and wastewater treatment technologies. In wastewater treatment, the region boasts of large capacity MBR systems that treat domestic and industrial effluents with higher efficiency, ensuring that pollution is minimised.

The growth prospects for MBRs in the Middle East are substantial, considering the potential for recycling and reuse of grey water (domestic sewage) and industrial effluents.

However, market penetration will not be easily achievable due to high costs of treatment technology, negative societal perceptions, poor collection and network infrastructure, and lack of a skilled workforce.

"Luring customers with cost-optimisation solutions is an effective means to gain market share," says Chidanamarri. "Strategic tie-ups with vendors of spares, chemicals, and equipment will allow suppliers offerings to be cost effective. In the long run, associating with original equipment manufacturers will also be of immense value to membrane manufacturers to participate in new MBR projects, as well as address replacement demand successful."

Strategic tie-ups with engineering, procurement, and construction  companies also represent a strong way to create stable demand for membrane-based products and to promote MBRs, as these EPC companies can recommend various technological options to the end user.