RIYADH: The Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hossein has signed contracts worth more than SR 559 million for the implementation of water and sanitation projects in various provinces in the Kingdom. The projects include water pipelines in Asir Province; studies of groundwater resources in the desert of the Empty Quarter; drinking water purification and sanitation networks in Qassim; water leaking detection and reservoirs in Madina; drinking water purification in Riyadh Province and water pipelines in the Eastern Province.