Water leakage in pipeline networks across the Kingdom results in losses amounting to SR3,075 million annually, according to a study conducted by the Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy. The center is a joint research group consisting of scientists from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The current capacity of desalination plants within the Kingdom is estimated at six million cubic meters per day, a record that is expected to rise to more than 10 million cubic meters per day over the next five years. Major cities across the Kingdom depend on desalination for more than 90 percent of their water needs. The center, which is based both at KFUPM and MIT, estimated that 30 percent of the water transported daily across the country via the pipelines, mainly to Riyadh, Jeddah and Madina, is lost due to leakage. The amount of wastage water, based on SR2.8 per cubic meter, has been estimated at SR3,075 million. This problem of water leakage causes not only clean water and clean energy losses, but also increases water contamination with hazardous chemicals and metals, according to the study. Medical doctors from the Department of Oncology at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh have already reported that water contamination is causing esophageal cancer in Qassim region, and is now considered a major health problem. To address the problem of leaking pipelines, the center has proposed the development of conceptual designs of water leak and water contamination detection systems, including the building of working prototypes for both leak and contamination sensing, testing in a laboratory pipe network, and exploring methods of monitoring water distribution system. The development of the leak and contamination system will be divided in phases and will be completed within five years. The networks of developed sensors will be installed across the length of the pipelines throughout the Kingdom. The sensors will have multiple capabilities, including leak detection, temperature sensing, and contamination sensing of at least three priority contaminants. The networks will have wireless connection capable of alarming operators and major water distribution centers of major leaks and critical contamination levels. The sensors to be developed will become an integral component of the water distribution system in Saudi Arabia, and will eventually help in future planning of better strategies to avoid water leakage and contamination.
