Saudi Arabia enters the Guinness World Records with the world's largest water oasis and innovates sustainable solutions
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its leading position on the global map in the water and environment sectors, based on an advanced research infrastructure and ambitious targets within Vision 2030. In a move that confirms this excellence, the Saudi Water Authority highlighted its qualitative achievements during the Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2025) that Jeddah recently hosted, revealing projects that integrate economic sustainability and environmental preservation.
A Saudi innovation that promotes the circular economy
In the context of research efforts, Engineer Ali Al-Sahari, Executive Director of the “Watera” Institute (the research arm of the Authority), revealed the institute’s success in developing an innovative technology launched in Jubail Industrial City. This technology relies on the production of highly efficient sodium hypochlorite for use as a primary disinfectant in the water sector and a secondary disinfectant in other industrial sectors.
Al-Sahari explained that the true value of this innovation lies in its application of the concepts of the "circular economy," whereby "water effluent" (wastewater resulting from desalination and treatment processes) is utilized instead of being disposed of, and transformed into value-added products. This extends beyond the production of sanitizers to include the production of hydrogen gas as a byproduct, opening up possibilities for its use as a clean and alternative energy source, which aligns with Saudi Arabia's Green Initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
Rabigh Water Oasis: A Guinness World Record Achievement
On the infrastructure front, Al-Sahari announced that the "Water Oasis" in Rabigh Governorate has entered the Guinness World Records as the world's largest water oasis dedicated to research and innovation. This international recognition crowns the Kingdom's efforts in establishing an integrated system that supports global water security.
The oasis is distinguished by its strategic location and massive facilities, housing more than 20 state-of-the-art specialized laboratories, in addition to pilot plants that simulate the operational realities of water production, transmission, and distribution. This giant facility aims to bridge the gap between theoretical research and commercial application, enabling the transformation of research ideas into tangible industrial solutions that serve both local and international markets.
An integrated environment for investment and scientific research
The Water Oasis's mission extends beyond the technical aspects to include enabling investment and developing human capital. It provides a fertile environment for investors to explore the latest innovative technologies and connect with licensing authorities, facilitating the entry of new solutions into the market. It also dedicates spaces to graduate students and researchers from local and international universities, providing them with access to advanced infrastructure for conducting applied research.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer of desalinated water and faces natural challenges that have prompted it to adopt unconventional solutions. This research initiative underscores the Kingdom's commitment not only to securing its water needs but also to exporting sustainable knowledge and technologies to the world, thereby addressing the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity through innovative scientific methods.
