Introduction

National reform & development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia faces many scientific & technological challenges related to the adequate supply of water, & the preservation of water resources from depletion & pollution. In a desert land such as the Kingdom, water resources are among the top challenges facing comprehensive development plans, for traditional water resources are scarce & the costs of non-traditional water resources remain elevated. Based on these facts, the National Center of Water Research will essentially work on two parallel paths to address these issues as follows:

   1.
      Perform solid scientific research on domestically available water resources.
   2.
      Develop water technologies that correspond to the needs of the Kingdom, & work on acquiring such technologies worldwide.

Functions of the Center

   1.
      Attract exceptional scientific research experts.
   2.
      Help enhance water technologies in general, especially wastewater & freshwater treatment technologies.
   3.
      Set research priorities on the short & long-term in accordance with the national comprehensive plan of science & technology (1425-1445H).
   4.
      Incorporate environmental, economic & social factors in the center’s research programs & trends.
   5.
      Develop scientific databases related to the center’s research work & trends.
   6.
      Reinforce ties with related research centers to consolidate efforts & avoid redundancy.
   7.
      Collaborate with regional & international agencies & organizations, & use their capabilities to serve the center’s objectives.

Mission Statement of the Center

The center aims to draw exceptional scientists & experts in water technologies. It also strives to become a scientific research reference on a national, regional & international level.

Developmental & research trends of the Center

The center will essentially perform studies & research in the following developmental areas:

   1.
      Hydrogeology:
       - Hydrogeological properties of aquifers.
       - Mathematical representation of aquifers.
       - Strategic storage of natural water
   2.
      Water quality:
       - Research ways of maintaining the quality of water in aquifers.
       - Identify the sources of pollution of aquifers and examine the impact of   wastewater discharge premises (sewage, industrial, agricultural) to those layers.
   3.
      Freshwater technologies:
      - Lower the cost of desalination technologies.
      - Study the needs of desalination plants in terms of equipment, spare parts & chemicals.
      - Research the possibility of domestic production of fresh water and coordination with the industrial sectors.
      - Develop freshwater technologies for underground water and seawater with low economic and reduced environmental impacts
   4.
      Rationalization of water use, recycling of water:
      - Develop cost-effective technologies to rationalize the use of water.
      - Develop local cost-effective technologies to treat local wastewater with limited environmental impact.
      - Assess the performance of the treatment plants and the adequacy of the water they produce for various uses.
      - Environmental effects of the treatment plants.
   5.
       Technical & consulting services:
      - This center will offer consulting & scientific services to public & private organizations & individuals.

Departments of the Center

   1.
      Department of hydrogeological studies.
   2.
      Department of water quality studies.
   3.
      Department of water technologies.
   4.
      Department of water services.