Riyadh: Today, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA), organized a workshop titled “Groundwater Sustainability: From Recharge to Restoration” at its headquarters in Riyadh.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the workshop discussed the latest technologies and sustainable practices in groundwater aquifer recharge and restoration, aiming to support water management in arid environments, enhance national water security, and improve the efficiency of water resource utilization in line with international best practices. The event was attended by 120 researchers and experts from policymakers within the Kingdom and abroad.
The workshop comes as part of efforts to implement the programs and initiatives of the National Water Strategy by reducing the cost of water production and decreasing reliance on non-renewable water reserves through investment in research and development, promoting innovation, enhancing groundwater reserves, and finding sustainable economic solutions aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
KACST Vice President of Sustainability and Environment Dr. Abdullah Al-Khudairi stated that the workshop responds to the increasing demand for water amid resource scarcity challenges by focusing on knowledge transfer and the application of modern technologies. He emphasized that KACST is working on developing innovative solutions based on research and development in water desalination and treatment, the utilization of renewable energy, and fostering collaboration with national and international entities to enhance water security in the Kingdom.
For his part, MEWA Deputy Minister for Water Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shibani emphasized that the National Water Strategy reflects the water sector’s commitment to sustainability by ensuring safe water supply, developing and preserving resources, and improving usage efficiency to support development. He pointed out that the Sector Resilience Program aims to raise the readiness of entities to deal with what affects the security and reliability of supply.
In turn, KACST General Manager of the Water Management and Treatment Institute Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Salman stated that the workshop contributes to enhancing scientific knowledge on groundwater recharge and restoration by highlighting the latest methods and practices in aquifer management. He noted that the workshop explores innovative solutions to improve groundwater storage efficiency and strengthen the sustainability of water resources in the Kingdom, emphasizing the country’s ability to adapt to water challenges under both normal and emergency conditions through the development of specialized national capacities and the exchange of expertise between researchers and practitioners.
The sessions covered topics such as water sources and types of groundwater aquifers suitable for storage, engineering systems for groundwater storage, geological and environmental characteristics, advanced injection and monitoring technologies, and technical standards to ensure the sustainability of storage and restoration projects. The sessions also highlighted successful local, regional, and international experiences.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants put forward recommendations to support integrated resource management plans, legislation and policies related to groundwater storage, and to encourage collaboration between research sectors and executive authorities, as well as to prioritize future projects. They also recommended establishing a platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening national capacities in water management in arid and semi-arid environments, representing an important step in the Kingdom’s national efforts to build an innovation- and sustainability-based economy.