Water

ENOC Group has announced significant milestones in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable resource management on the sidelines of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2026 in Dubai.

Managing energy intensity, reducing emissions, and securing reliable freshwater alternatives are no longer peripheral goals but central pillars of operational resilience.

ENOC Group has announced significant milestones in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable resource management on the sidelines of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2026 in Dubai.

Operating under the exhibition’s theme, “At the Forefront of Sustainability”, the integrated global energy player is demonstrating how targeted investments in green technologies and responsible resource allocation are yielding substantial commercial and environmental dividends.

Driving energy efficiency and emissions reduction

Decarbonising energy-intensive processing remains critical to the region’s broader net-zero trajectory. Through sustained integration of its Energy and Resource Management (E&RM) initiatives, the group has fundamentally restructured its consumption patterns. Since 2014, ENOC has invested AED 156.05 million in these specific programmes, resulting in a structural transformation of its energy overheads.

Key performance benchmarks include:

• An improvement in overall energy intensity by 21.7 per cent since 2014.

• A reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 11.5 per cent.

• The avoidance of approximately 1.47 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) in cumulative emissions.

• More than AED 478 million generated in cumulative financial savings across the group.

• Over AED 75 million in savings derived exclusively from renewable energy integration since 2017.

• A comprehensive waste recycling rate of 65.24 per cent achieved during the 2025 operational year.

Elevating industrial water security and circular reuse 

Beyond emissions mitigation, securing reliable water supplies represents a primary operational challenge in arid climates. Industrial operations across the region are increasingly aligning with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which mandates a 21 per cent reduction in total water demand and an ambitious target to increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent.

ENOC is actively advancing these national targets by embedding water conservation deep into its value chain. In 2025, the organisation successfully recycled 688,785 cubic metres of treated water across its footprint—a volume equivalent to approximately 275 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This achievement secured a robust water recycling rate of 24.45 per cent. Concurrently, overall water intensity dropped to 0.0491 cubic metres per tonne of product, reflecting an approximate 20.4 per cent reduction compared to the 2014 baseline.

Highlighting the strategic importance of these initiatives, Hussain Sultan Lootah, Group Chief Executive Officer, ENOC Group, said: “Water security and responsible resource management are fundamental to the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the energy and industrial sectors, where water is essential to critical processes and operational continuity. As demand for energy and industrial output grows, so does the responsibility to use resources more efficiently, reduce pressure on freshwater supplies and integrate sustainable practices across the value chain.

“At ENOC, we are embedding this approach into our operations through practical solutions that expand water reuse, minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Our participation at WETEX 2026 provides an important platform to demonstrate how these efforts are translating into measurable progress, while contributing to the UAE’s long-term water security and sustainability ambitions.”

Tailoring recovery solutions across the value chain

Achieving these group-wide metrics requires engineering bespoke water and waste management schemes across specific midstream and downstream facilities. At the Jebel Ali refinery, for instance, approximately 72,389 cubic metres of treated wastewater was repurposed in 2025 for irrigation and industrial supply. This redirection significantly reduced freshwater demand and generated an estimated AED 812,107 in annual cost savings.

Similar circular principles are being deployed within the organisation's gas operations. Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited (DUGAS) treated and reused roughly 50,053 cubic metres of wastewater in 2025, securing an 18.2 per cent recycling rate. Meanwhile, Emirates Gas retains water from LPG bullet cleaning for subsequent washing cycles and recirculates run-off from cylinder-cleaning operations wherever viable.

At the retail level, water recycling systems integrated into the service station network recovered 527,043 cubic metres of treated car-wash water in 2025, reaching a dedicated recycling rate of 67.6 per cent. Furthermore, across terminals, aviation sites, and the ENOC Lubricants & Grease Manufacturing Plant (ELOMP), advanced oily-water separation systems enabled the transfer of 3,273 tonnes of recoverable slops to approved recycling contractors in 2025. Complementing these large-scale efforts, the Dubai Lubricants Processing Plant (DLPP) recently introduced a water purification system that drastically reduces reliance on bottled water, projecting an additional AED 15,000 in recurring annual savings.

World Economic Forum-recognised Aquapreneur Terry Paule, Founder of Philo and Co-Founder of Findex, is officially hard-launching the Sustainable Water Impact Maps (SWIM) platform on 8 December 2026.

The global water sector is gearing up for a monumental gathering as the third UN Water Conference prepares to run from 8 to 10 December 2026 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.

Centred on accelerating action for Sustainable Development Goal 6—Clean Water and Sanitation—the event serves as the backdrop for major technological announcements. Among them, World Economic Forum-recognised Aquapreneur Terry Paule, Founder of Philo and Co-Founder of Findex, is officially hard-launching the Sustainable Water Impact Maps (SWIM) platform on 8 December 2026.

First previewed during Climate Week in New York in September 2025, the ambition behind SWIM was straightforward yet transformative: to break down the siloes fragmenting global water stewardship and bring the sector together into a single cohesive environment.

"The global water crisis cannot be solved alone," said Terry Paule. "Water is finally being recognised not just as a humanitarian necessity, but as a primary economic and investment priority. This is exactly why SWIM was built as an operating platform that could take friction out of the ecosystem and deliver real world, measurable results."

Developed by Philo—the Abu Dhabi-based parent company of Botanical Water Technologies—SWIM was born out of observing widespread inefficiencies first-hand. Through water projects across India and other regions, Philo identified deep fragmentation within water funding:

• Funders frequently struggle to locate credible, ready-to-fund projects.

• Implementers find it difficult to connect with the right financial backers.

• There remains a persistent lack of transparent visibility and collective action across the wider industry.

SWIM tackles these hurdles by consolidating water risk, project requirements, funders, implementers, evidence, and verified impact into one central location. It spans reduce, reuse, replenish, and WASH projects across both advanced technology and nature-based solutions.

Moving from silos to shared action

Water experts widely agree that no single organisation can successfully rehabilitate a river basin in isolation. Yet, traditional efforts remain heavily scattered. Small projects operate independently, capital is spread thin, and public-private cooperation is infrequent.

The solution requires moving away from backing isolated projects and pivoting toward coordinated catchment-wide organising. Companies, governments, communities, and NGOs must align behind shared goals and track unified metrics. SWIM addresses this exact void by offering a shared platform where stakeholders can identify who is active within critical basins.

Data-rich and operational

The platform is already operational, with approximately 1,000 projects currently onboarded alongside a growing roster of Fortune 500 funders and international NGOs.

• Extensive Data Integration: SWIM incorporates over 100 data layers sourced from institutions like the World Bank, WRI Aqueduct, WHO/UNICEF JMP, and the WWF Water Risk Filter down to the sub-catchment level.

• Verified Standards: Implementers must provide evidence of at least one project backed by a recognised organisation before publishing, and projects can earn independent verified badges.

• Execution Layer: PhiloX operates behind SWIM to handle contracting, funding workflows, rigorous verification, and real-time auditable impact reporting.

With its debut in Abu Dhabi, SWIM aims to transform how global water finance and resource management are executed.

The Abu Dhabi Youth Challenge 2026 has officially opened its applications, calling upon young innovators to tackle pressing water challenges.

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the need for sustainable water management has never been more urgent.

At the forefront of this critical environmental issue is the drive to protect the most vulnerable members of society: children and families. Recognising that the next generation holds the key to long-term sustainability, a major initiative has been launched to harness youthful ingenuity.

The Abu Dhabi Youth Challenge 2026 has officially opened its applications, calling upon young innovators to tackle pressing water challenges. Designed to foster ideas that will build healthier communities where children can thrive, the programme offers expert mentorship and AED 40,000 in total prize money.

Placing Youth at the Heart of Environmental Strategy

The initiative arrives at a pivotal moment. The UAE, in partnership with the Republic of Senegal, is preparing to co-host the 2026 United Nations Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December. In alignment with this summit, the challenge seeks to integrate the innovations of young people into the international conversation on water security.

His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, highlighted the core mission of the programme: “Every child deserves to access water and a healthy environment. As the UAE prepares to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi for the 2026 UN Water Conference, we have a real opportunity to put young people at the heart of this conversation. This challenge gives young innovators across the UAE a chance to turn their ideas into practical solutions that can help create healthier, more sustainable communities for children and families.”

A Pathway for Practical Innovation

Led by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) in partnership with the Khalifa Fund, the challenge serves as the youth-focused track of the ECA’s Anjal Z innovation programme. It is explicitly designed to empower young minds to apply entrepreneurial thinking to UAE priorities with potential for wider global impact.

Since 2020, the challenge has attracted over 800 applications and engaged more than 300 young people from diverse disciplines. Furthermore, it has provided participants with more than 50 internship opportunities at early childhood start-ups, establishing a direct pipeline into Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem.

Four Pillars of Sustainable Water Management

To ensure a comprehensive approach to water conservation and community health, participants in the 2026 cohort will focus their efforts across four primary areas:

• Healthy Communities & Families: Exploring how to foster healthy hydration habits amongst children and families, and utilising water to support active lifestyles and general wellbeing in homes, schools, and public spaces throughout the UAE.

• Climate & Nature: Developing strategies to protect vital water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. This includes strengthening community resilience against the impacts of climate change to ensure a safe environment for young children.

• Smart Water & Sustainable Communities: Leveraging emerging technologies to optimise water management and significantly reduce waste. The goal is to build sustainable communities where children can grow and learn efficiently.

• Action & Impact: Transforming promising conceptual solutions into sustainable practices through robust collaboration, education, better policies, and active community participation to support the wellbeing of children and families.

From Concept to the Global Stage

Following a selection process, 50 applicants will be invited to an intensive three-day bootcamp in Abu Dhabi this November. Under the guidance of early childhood experts, sustainability specialists, and mentors, participants will test their concepts against community needs and pitch their ideas to judges.

From this group, up to seven exceptional teams will advance to a comprehensive three-week incubation phase. Here, they will refine their prototypes, test their solutions with potential end-users, and explore real-world applications.

The journey culminates at a Demo Day during the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, from 8 to 10 December. Finalists will pitch their solutions to a judging panel. Three winning teams will be selected, taking home AED 20,000 for first place, AED 13,000 for second, and AED 7,000 for third.

Young innovators eager to make a tangible impact on the future of water sustainability must submit their applications via the ECA website by the 5 November 2026 deadline.

UK-based wastewater treatment specialist Bluewater Bio has secured a contract to upgrade and expand the MODON Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWWTP) at Jeddah 1st Industrial City, lifting capacity by 60 per cent whilst maintaining continuous operations for local manufacturers.

Industrial wastewater management across the Middle East is rapidly moving towards circularity, and Saudi Arabia is reinforcing this transition with a critical infrastructure expansion in Jeddah.

UK-based wastewater treatment specialist Bluewater Bio has secured a contract to upgrade and expand the MODON Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWWTP) at Jeddah 1st Industrial City, lifting capacity by 60 per cent whilst maintaining continuous operations for local manufacturers.

The project forms an integral component of a 20-year Rehabilitate-Operate-Transfer (ROT) concession awarded by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) to water management firm Miahona. Engineering, procurement, and construction contractor SUECO has been appointed to deliver the works, with Bluewater Bio supplying the core biological and tertiary treatment technologies.

Relieving flow pressures in Jeddah’s industrial hub

As the Kingdom broadens its manufacturing base, treating effluent at source has become an operational and environmental imperative. Jeddah 1st Industrial City represents one of Saudi Arabia’s most vital manufacturing centres, housing more than 1,100 factories across multiple sectors. Continued industrial expansion has driven daily wastewater flows and contaminant loadings beyond the plant’s original design limits. Consequently, modernising the treatment infrastructure has become essential to guarantee operational reliability, environmental compliance, and high-quality reclaimed water for local industry.

Crucially, the engineering design guarantees that the facility will remain fully operational throughout the upgrade, preventing any disruption to manufacturing tenants.

Core technologies and project delivery

To achieve the required capacity uplift without extensive site redevelopment, Bluewater Bio will deploy its proprietary modular treatment systems. The upgrade will expand the plant's overall processing capacity from 25 million litres per day (MLD) to 40 MLD, alongside supplying polished effluent suitable for reverse osmosis (RO) intake.

The scope of supply comprises:

• Fourteen SMART™ units driving the proprietary HYBACS® biological treatment process.

• Six FilterClear® tertiary filtration systems producing 24 MLD of treated water.

• Integration with a downstream reverse osmosis plant to enable high-grade industrial water reuse.

• Complete project delivery executed under live operational conditions to ensure zero plant downtime.

Fergus Rooksby, Commercial Director of Bluewater Bio, commented: “HYBACS was selected because it delivers a significant increase in biological treatment capacity without the need for major new civil structures. Combined with FilterClear for RO feedwater production, it provides a cost-effective, low-footprint solution that is straightforward to operate and minimises ongoing service and maintenance costs.
The ability to add further modules in the future also gives Miahona a flexible route to increase RO-treated water reuse, making this a highly compelling and future-ready solution.”

Daniyar Seipoldin, General Director of SUECO, said: “As an EPC contractor, SUECO is committed to implementing modern technological solutions that respond to the evolving needs of the industry — including energy efficiency, sustainable operation, effective use of existing infrastructure, and minimizing the need for additional civil construction.
It is in these principles that we see a strong strategic alignment between SUECO and Bluewater Bio. We value the professional collaboration between our teams and look forward to working together to successfully integrate the selected technologies and deliver the required project outcomes for Miahona and MODON.”

Aligning with regional infrastructure goals

The scheme is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2027, directly supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 targets for sustainable water stewardship and industrial resource recycling. For Bluewater Bio, the contract solidifies an expanding Middle Eastern portfolio that already includes landmark installations in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Richard Haddon, CEO of Bluewater Bio, added: “This award reflects the strength of our technology offering in addressing complex industrial wastewater challenges. The MODON facility presents a highly demanding treatment environment, and the selection of HYBACS and FilterClear highlights their proven ability to deliver robust, reliable solutions under challenging conditions.”

Richard Haddon concluded: “This contract award further strengthens our presence in the Middle East and reinforces our position as a trusted provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions across the region.”