A consortium of Manila Water Co. Inc., French water distributor Saur Group and Saudi’s Miahona Co. has secured a management, operations and maintenance contract with Saudi Arabia’s state-run water agency, National Water Co.
In a statement, Manila Water said the agreement that will run for seven years involves projects and management of water facilities and systems of National Water Co.’s North West Cluster in the cities of Madinah and Tabuk with an area of 300,000 square kilometers and a population of more than three million people.
The consortium will also manage the operational activity of ensuring the delivery of water and wastewater services, billing and collection as well as customer services. It also bested seven proposals from other groups.
Manila Water did not disclose the cost of the deal but said it is the first step towards Saudi Arabia’s plans to privatize its water infrastructure sector under its 2030 Vision target to improve water distribution services in six clusters. – Jed Macapagal
