In a recent session at The KAUST School, grade 10 students participated in a “Meet the Expert” discussion about water management with Mr. Ahmed S. Alhaidari, Manager for Water Treatment and Distribution at KAUST Facilities Management (FM).
The session, organized by Nicki Talbot, Director of KAUST Enrichment for Youth, and Andre Henriques, Entrepreneurship & Individual and Societies Teacher, was moderated by high school teacher Michael Flaim.
The engaging dialogue highlighted the critical aspects of water management, emphasizing the indispensable role FM plays in supplying, managing, and maintaining various water-related services at KAUST.
Mr. Alhaidari provided a comprehensive overview of global and local water management best practices, underscoring the significant efforts underway at KAUST. The discussion enriched the research being conducted by the students, encouraging them to develop a sustainable management plan aimed at increasing global water supply.
Prepared with research project questions, students explored sustainable water management practices, water desalination, brine water discharge, and recycling water utilization, among other topics. Their interaction with an expert from Facilities Management afforded them the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of all facets of water management.
Through this interaction with Mr. Alhaidiri, students were able to increase their understanding of the different uses of water, including potable water, fresh water, gray water, blackwater, and treated sewage effluent (TSE). The session highlighted the extent to which recycled water was used at KAUST, as well as identifying the specific areas irrigated with TSE at KAUST.
This enlightening discussion equipped the students with not only valuable knowledge about water management, but also empowered them to contribute to promoting sustainable water usage within the KAUST community and beyond in a meaningful way. Facilities Management continues to emphasize the importance of sustainability and knowledge sharing among the students of The KAUST School.
Facilities Management
The responsibility of KAUST Facilities Management extends far beyond just managing day-to-day reactive tickets and preventive maintenance. FM also manages the design, construction, maintenance, and repair operations across KAUST.
In addition, FM oversees the provision of electricity, potable water, and chilled water, along with ensuring that all these utility networks are maintained to the highest standards. FM is also responsible for the wastewater treatment at KAUST.
For more information about Facilities Management in KAUST visit the FM website.