Dammam ISTP inaugurated under PPP framework

The Dammam Independent Sewage Treatment Plant (ISTP) was officially inaugurated earlier this week. 

Delivered by a consortium led by Metito Utilities alongside Mowah and Orascom Construction, the project marks a major step forward in supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s National Water Strategy through an innovative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

Awarded by the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), the Dammam ISTP was developed with a total investment of SAR690mn (US$185.26mn) under a 25-year Build–Own–Operate–Transfer (BOOT) model. The plant has an initial capacity of 200,000 m³/day, expandable to 350,000 m³/day, serving nearly one million residents in western Dammam.

The performance-based PPP model mobilizes private sector capital, technology, and expertise to deliver critical infrastructure that meets the Kingdom’s growing water demands.

The plant utilises Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) technology, achieving high treatment efficiency while reducing civil works and tank volumes. Its sustainable design incorporates anaerobic digestion to convert sludge into biogas for on-site use, alongside solar drying greenhouses that harness Dammam’s abundant sunlight. These features minimise emissions and reduce operational costs.

Construction, which began in 2020 after financial close, recorded over 6.9 million safe man-hours with zero lost-time incidents (LTIs), created hundreds of local jobs, and enhanced sustainability through resource recovery and reduced landfill dependency. The project contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).