H2O Magazine - Applying Thought to Water in the Middle East

Bahrain to announce master plan for the sanitary engineering services; Tubli STP to be privatized

In a recent announcement summing up key developments in the sanitary sector in 2009, Bahrain’s Ministry of Works (MOW) emphasised that modernisation and privatisation of the Kingdom’s sanitary sector is on track as part of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 plan.

In 2009, a total of 41 tenders worth BD106 million were prepared, 43 contracts worth BD95 million were initiated, eight contracts worth BD9.5 million were completed while 18 contracts worth BD61 million are on-going. The sector's key highlights in 2009 were as follows:

91% of the National Sanitary Engineering Plan's operations was achieved and expected to be completed in the first half of 2010. The main objective of this plan is to develop an overall National Master Plan for the Sanitary Engineering Services in the Kingdom of Bahrain with regard to the sewerage system; Surface Water Drainage System; Wastewater Treatment and Reuse of TSE and Sludge.
The Sanitary Services Privatisation Project continued to make progress in 2009. Privatisation Strategy and Implementation Plan (PSIP) for Sanitary engineering is being developed and will be finalised in the first quarter of 2010. This plan sets out the privatisation roadmap for sanitary engineering which will include privatisation of Muharraq STP, Tubli STP and other STP and sewerage networks across the country. The pilot privatisation project, Muharraq STP is currently at tender stage and bids are scheduled to be submitted in January 2010. Land reclamation work for the project is expected to be completed by April 2010, which is ahead of the planned award of the privatisation contract in June 2010. The Tubli STP has been identified as the next privatisation project for which front end activity has been initiated, and the appointment of consultant for the privatisation of Tubli STP is in the works.
Provision of the professional technical consultations for 16,000 requests regarding a number of the main projects carried out by the public and private sectors.
A number of sanitary projects were conducted in different areas including East Riffa, A'ali, Al Ma'meer, Al Oker, and Al Hidd. 91% of population is now linked to the sanitary network
The launch of building permit and sewerage connections service in the Internet on www.works.gov.bh, contributed to reducing the applicants visiting the Ministry by 11%. This comes in line with Ministry's vision to provide high quality services in a professional manner.
The Executive Actions Lists and Regulations for sanitation and surface water drainage have been issued and officially published in the official gazette no. 2915 dated 1st October 2009.