World Water Day is a global reminder that water security is one of the defining challenges of our time. As pressure on freshwater resources grows worldwide, innovation, conservation, and sustainable management are more important than ever.
Although World Water Day is marked internationally on March 22, KAUST will celebrate on March 30-31 following the Eid break. The Water Desalination and Reuse Platform (WDRP) and Facilities Management teams are hosting a series of tours and demonstrations, and a science exhibition, showcasing how KAUST research and campus operations are advancing sustainable water solutions and supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Through these activities, the celebration also serves as a campus-wide awareness and outreach initiative, offering educational opportunities for students, staff, and members of the local and wider community to learn about water management, freshwater ecosystem protection, and responsible water use.
Join us to learn how KAUST is supporting water conservation and contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All through cutting-edge research and innovative desalination technologies, while promoting conscious water usage and sustainable water management on and off campus.
Monday March 30, 2026
KAUST Wastewater Treatment Plant Open House
Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Registration: Sign up here to join the tour
Join an exclusive guided tour of KAUST’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Learn how this state-of-the-art facility treats 11,500 m³ of wastewater daily using membrane bioreactor technology to produce high-quality treated water that meets WHO and international standards.
The tour will highlight key stages of the treatment process – including filtration, biological treatment, and purification – and demonstrate how advanced wastewater management supports water reuse, protects the environment, and contributes to sustainable water systems in water-scarce regions.
Tuesday March 31, 2026
Thermal Desalination Plant (MED) Lab Tour
Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Building 7, Level 0
Registration: Not required
This lab tour will highlight recent innovations in thermal desalination technology and showcase research aimed at improving Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) systems through advanced membrane pretreatment using Nanofiltration (NF). This hybrid NF–MED approach can significantly enhance freshwater production – potentially achieving up to 100% higher output compared with conventional MED systems under similar conditions.
Join us to explore the laboratory facilities, see experimental setups, and learn how hybrid desalination technologies are advancing sustainable water production.
KAUST Water Desalination Pilot Plant Tour
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: CMOR Building 25
Registration: Not required
Explore KAUST’s advanced desalination research facility, where scientists test next-generation seawater desalination technologies. During the tour, visitors will discover how innovative pretreatment and reverse osmosis systems are used to study performance, energy efficiency, and membrane fouling under real operating conditions. This is a unique opportunity to explore how cutting-edge research at KAUST contributes to sustainable water solutions for the future
WDRP Science Exhibition
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Building 4, Level 4 Lobby
Registration: Not required
Researchers and students from the Water Desalination and Reuse Platform (WDRP) will showcase technologies being developed across three flagship themes: Greener Desalination, Waste to Resource, and Water Security. Afternoon refreshments will be served.
Featured demonstrations include:
- SandX technologies to reduce water loss from irrigated soils
- Engineered biochar for improved nutrient retention in sandy soils
- Decentralized wastewater treatment systems (demonstration)
- Microbial electrochemical technologies for wastewater treatment with energy recovery (lab visit)
- Desalinated water for agriculture
- Desalination pilot plant technologies
- Solar-powered desalination approaches
- Water testing technologies
- Membrane filtration and desalination demonstrations
WDRP Lab Open House
Times: 2:00 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m
Location: Building 4, Level 4 (seaside)
Registration: Not required
The WDRP analytical laboratory is an integral part of the scientific research activities in the center. The tour will showcase the state-of-the-art facility and its specialized analytical equipment being used in water research.
WDRP quiz challenge
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Building 4, Level 4, Room 4270
Test your water knowledge with interactive quizzes organized by WDRP students and win exciting prizes.
KAUST Desalination Plant Open House
Time: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Registration: Sign up here to join the tour
KAUST operates its own seawater desalination plant, producing up to 50,000 m³ of potable water per day using reverse osmosis technology. Join this guided tour to learn how seawater is transformed into drinking water—from intake and pretreatment through membrane filtration and storage.
The visit will highlight how KAUST maintains a reliable and sustainable water supply for the community while minimizing environmental impact in an arid environment.