Middle East Water Tech Brief – July 2025
Welcome to this month’s edition of the Middle East Water Tech Brief, your essential source for the latest water innovations, investments, and policies shaping the region’s water security.
Water security across the Middle East is entering a transformative era, driven by strategic investments, climate-resilient infrastructure, and smart water technologies.
In this edition of the Middle East Water Tech Brief, we highlight how Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE are scaling water security and climate resilience through energy-efficient infrastructure, solar-powered water tech, and nature-based innovations, plus new free water programs and major investments in Oman and Jordan aligning with national sustainability strategies.
Key Developments
Bahrain: EWA Launches “Kafa’a” to Boost Energy Efficiency and Advance the Water-Energy Nexus in Government Buildings
What’s New?
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) has signed Phase One “Kafa’a” Program agreements to improve energy efficiency in 12 government buildings, aiming to save 308 GWh and cut emissions by 154,000 tonnes by 2040.
Why It Matters:
Boosting energy efficiency in government buildings supports Bahrain’s water-energy nexus by lowering electricity demand and reducing water use in power generation. The “Kafa’a” Program delivers operational savings, emission cuts, and greater resource security for the Kingdom.
What’s Next?
EWA will oversee all stages of implementation and measure impacts in partnership with specialized companies, with plans to expand energy efficiency efforts across both public and private sector buildings.
Abu Dhabi: Solar Device Generates Power and Fresh Water, Advancing Energy-Water Solutions
What’s New?
Researchers at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have developed a hybrid solar-powered device that produces both electricity and fresh water. The system combines concentrated photovoltaic cells with membrane distillation, using waste heat from solar cells to drive a thermal desalination process.
Why It Matters:
This innovation supports the energy-water nexus by efficiently utilizing solar energy for power generation while simultaneously providing clean water. The dual-function system reduces dependence on fossil fuels and separate energy sources, making it ideal for arid and remote regions facing resource challenges.
What’s Next?
Further work is needed to address durability in harsh climates and scale the technology for commercial deployment, but this marks a key step toward decentralized, sustainable energy and water solutions for the UAE and beyond.
UAE: Manhat’s Floating Farm Water Tech Earns Global Recognition at Expo 2025
What’s New?
UAE start-up Manhat has received a Best Practices Award at Expo 2025 Osaka for its sustainable floating farm water technology, which produces fresh water from the ocean without electricity. The recognition puts Manhat among the world’s top 25 innovators addressing global challenges.
Why It Matters:
Manhat’s device supports the water-energy-food nexus by offering a nature-based, low-impact solution for water and food security in water-scarce, climate-vulnerable regions. This innovation demonstrates how tech-driven sustainability can help communities adapt to rising sea levels and resource stress.
What’s Next?
Manhat is refining its prototypes, pursuing commercial manufacturing, and filing patents for the integration of floating farms, aiming to make clean water and resilient crop production accessible to coastal and arid communities worldwide.
Technology Spotlight: Innovations in Water Management
Ourwatr – UAE’s Free Mineral Water Program (Nationwide, UAE)
What it Does:
Ourwatr, a UAE-based start-up, is rolling out the nation’s first free mineral water program. Chilled, locally sourced EQM-certified bottles will be made available across metro stations, malls, parks, and government offices, blending hydration, sustainability, and social impact in a unique, sponsor-supported model.
Why it Matters:
With rising summer temperatures, access to clean water becomes essential for all, especially workers, families, and the elderly. Ourwatr’s mission redefines hydration as a public right, not a privilege, while supporting local charities and setting a new standard for quality and community care in the UAE.
Impact:
The program aligns with UAE Vision 2030 on health, sustainability, and quality of life. By using recyclable bottles and partnering with brands and charities, Ourwatr turns everyday hydration into an act of kindness, delivering both water and hope to communities nationwide.
Kumulus Water – Off-Grid Atmospheric Water Tech (Tunisia/France)
What it Does:
Kumulus Water, a Franco-Tunisian start-up, designs atmospheric water generators that extract clean drinking water from air humidity, no infrastructure required. Their flagship Kumulus Boks enables sustainable, off-grid water access for schools, hotels, and remote communities in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Why it Matters:
With $3.5 million raised in seed funding, Kumulus is scaling solutions to water scarcity and climate resilience. Their decentralised approach addresses urgent needs in underserved, water-stressed regions, empowering communities with infrastructure-free, plastic-free, reliable water supply.
Impact:
Kumulus is expanding operations in Tunisia, France, and Spain, and preparing entry into Saudi Arabia. The technology helps build climate-resilient, self-sufficient communities, turning air into safe drinking water and redefining sustainable water access for a changing world.
Investment Tracker: Major Water Infrastructure Projects in 2025
Oman
• Al Rawdah SEZ Surface Water Drainage Project
• $ Funded by AFESD
Construction of 25 km rainwater drainage channels, 850m barrier, and related works in Mahdah, Buraimi, to protect Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone’s industrial, commercial, and logistics facilities, supporting economic diversification and regional development under Oman Vision 2040.
Jordan
• Al Lajoun Water Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
• JD1.2M (AECID Funded)
Rehabilitation of seven wells, upgrades to the Al Lajoun Water Treatment Plant, and installation of 5.5 km ductile iron pipelines in Karak to expand water coverage, improve efficiency, and reduce losses, delivered through Jordan–Spain cooperation supporting the National Water Strategy 2023–2040.
Upcoming Event
Middle East Produced Water Management 2025 | September 8–9, 2025 – Dubai, UAE
Focus on produced water management, recycling, and advanced water treatment solutions
Speakers include industry experts from KAUST, NOV, and FWPC
Key forum for sharing market intelligence, networking, and advancing water efficiency across oil and gas sectors
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The region is rapidly redefining urban water security, where nature-based solutions, advanced policy, and next-gen technologies converge. From Green Riyadh’s sweeping afforestation and circular water reuse to Bahrain’s bold eco-labelling standards and Jordan’s infrastructure push, the Middle East is setting new benchmarks for climate resilience and sustainable growth.
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How flagship NBS projects like Green Riyadh are using treated wastewater, afforestation, and urban greening to create climate-adaptive, livable cities
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How innovation in desalination, water reuse, smart SCADA, and off-grid atmospheric water harvesting is expanding water access and resilience
Where cross-border investment is accelerating the commercialization of breakthrough water purification and circular solutions
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