Circular Water Economy in Riyadh presents a focused, evidence-based assessment of how Saudi Arabia’s capital is transforming water management through circular principles. In one of the world’s most water-scarce urban environments, Riyadh is advancing beyond a linear “use-and-dispose” model toward a Circular Water Economy (CWE) built on efficiency, reuse, and innovation—fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy (NWS) 2030.

Key Insights

Understand Riyadh’s Water Realities

With 75% of municipal water sourced from desalination and 62% of natural supply from non-renewable groundwater, Riyadh’s water system faces high energy intensity and long-term resource stress. Per capita use has declined to 102 L/day (2023), supported by national conservation programs and digital efficiency tools.

Explore the Circular Transformation

The 5Rs Framework—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Restore—guides Riyadh’s shift toward sustainable supply diversification. Desalination efficiency gains of 80% and cost reductions of 50% demonstrate rapid technological progress in achieving water circularity.

Examine Infrastructure Innovation

The Riyadh South Wastewater Treatment Plant (400,000 m³/day) anchors large-scale reuse, while the Green Riyadh initiative utilizes 1 million m³/day of treated water to irrigate 7.5 million trees, embedding water reuse in citywide greening.

Assess Digital and Policy Reform

Millions of smart meters, integrated SCADA systems, and the Kashf leak-detection app (used by 13,000 consumers) have saved 8 million m³ of water. Tariff adjustments and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)—mobilizing over US$12 billion—support financial sustainability and performance-based governance.

Discover Resource Recovery Opportunities

Riyadh leads in extracting lithium, bromine, and salts from desalination brine, converting waste streams into new economic value while supporting national decarbonization and industrial diversification.

Evaluate Ecological Resilience

Flagship projects such as Wadi Hanifa’s 100,000 m² bioremediation system and Green Riyadh’s afforestation demonstrate the role of nature-based solutions in flood control, pollution reduction, and microclimate improvement.

Gain Insight into Future Pathways

The CWE roadmap highlights reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) to 15%, achieving 70% treated wastewater reuse, integrating renewable-powered desalination, and enhancing digital oversight through AI and robotics as the next frontiers of water resilience in Riyadh.

Designed for policymakers, utilities, consultants, and investors, Circular Water Economy in Riyadh delivers actionable foresight and strategic intelligence for advancing low-carbon, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient water systems in the heart of Saudi Arabia.