How experts in Saudi Arabia are harnessing the power of microbes to treat wastewater

Special How experts in Saudi Arabia are harnessing the power of microbes to treat wastewater
In a microbial electrochemical system, microorganisms convert chemical energy from organic matter into electrical energy or valuable chemicals through controlled electron transfer between microbes and electrodes. (iStock images)
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Updated 18 April 2025
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How experts in Saudi Arabia are harnessing the power of microbes to treat wastewater

How experts in Saudi Arabia are harnessing the power of microbes to treat wastewater
  • KAUST researchers are using the microorganisms found naturally in wastewater to clean it and extract valuable resources
  • The system reduces energy use and avoids sludge buildup common in traditional wastewater treatment methods

RIYADH: What if the answer to wastewater treatment was in the water itself? At King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, a team led by Professor Pascal Saikaly is harnessing the natural power of microbes found in wastewater — not just to clean it, but to generate energy and create valuable resources.

Rather than relying on outdated, energy-intensive systems, Saikaly’s team is developing innovative, nature-based solutions that turn waste into a tool for sustainability. Their key technology? A microbial electrochemical system that takes advantage of how certain microbes “breathe.”

Some microbes are capable of a process called extracellular electron transfer — moving electrons outside their cells to solid surfaces. Under the right conditions, this creates a small but useful electric current.

“At the anode, think about oxidation, you basically release electrons. At the cathode, it’s more like uptaking the electrons,” Saikaly told Arab News. “You have organisms that release the electrons at the anode side. At the cathode side, you have organisms that can capture these electrons.”

This process — using natural microbial activity and controlled conditions such as pH, electrode potential and substrate type — helps to treat wastewater while recovering energy and chemicals such as methane.

“You’re not adding any more energy to the whole process, so we reduce energy consumption,” Saikaly said.




Professor Pascal Saikaly at the KAUST Water Desalination and Reuse Center. (KAUST photo)

Unlike conventional wastewater treatment methods, which were developed more than a century ago and rely heavily on aeration, these new systems are far more efficient. According to Saikaly, current methods require 0.6 kilowatt-hours of energy per cubic meter of treated water and produce large amounts of residual sludge.

“The technology that we are currently using generates a lot of residual solids,” he said. “In any biological treatment process, you produce waste. And this waste, we call it residual waste or waste activated sludge, we need to dispose of it.

“This means there is an additional cost that we have to pay for in the treatment process. So, it is energy intensive and generates a lot of residual solids.”

The KAUST team’s microbial system not only removes pollutants but, under the right operation, can also fix carbon dioxide — transforming it into methane gas or acetate, both of which can be used as renewable fuels.

“You can operate it without microorganisms and there you produce hydrogen, or you operate it with microorganisms and you can generate methane gas or other types of substrates,” Saikaly said.

 

The goal is to move from simply treating waste to recovering valuable resources from it. “All the biotechnology that we developed falls under this principle,” Saikaly said. “Treat the waste with simultaneous recovery of resources. That’s our principle.”

Another innovation Saikaly’s team has developed is a technology called microbial chain elongation. Designed as an alternative to landfilling organic waste, this process converts food and dairy waste into high-value chemicals rather than low-value methane.

“According to Vision 2030, all of these landfills will be shut down and waste should be diverted away from landfills by 2030 or 2035,” Saikaly said. “This means there is an urgent need for an alternative solution for this huge amount of organic waste that is being generated.”




Existing wastewater treatment plants use a technology that was invented more than 100 years ago. The Activated Sludge Process utilizes aerobic bacteria to break down organic matter in wastewater. (iStock images)

Among the byproducts of this process is casaene — a protein-rich substance containing 16 essential amino acids — suitable for use in aquaculture and poultry feed.

“We’re in discussions with the aquaculture program at KAUST,” Saikaly said. “And also we are in discussion with Sipchem, which is a petroleum chemistry company. They also want to use our products to produce polymers. There’s a big window of applications that is much, much broader and has a higher value than methane gas.”




By producing methane, wastewater can be treated by generating enough energy to make the whole process energy neutral. (iStock images)

The team is also behind a compact, mobile wastewater treatment plant — the aerobic granular sludge gravity-driven membrane system — developed in partnership with former KAUST scientist Mohammed Ali. It treats domestic wastewater without the need for energy-intensive aeration or pumping, making it ideal for rural or remote locations.

The system, already in use in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia, serves up to 2,000 people and is designed to process 150 cubic meters of wastewater per day.




At the anode, pollutants such as chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, nitrogen compounds, and phosphorus are removed.  (iStock images)

These innovations are part of a broader push by Saikaly and his team to rethink how we deal with waste — not as something to dispose of, but as something to transform. And while many of these technologies are still a few steps from commercial deployment, they are already showing how science and sustainability can go hand in hand.

“We want to think about waste not only as to treat and dispose, but as a waste that we can use to recover resources,” Saikaly said.


 


Saudi, US security agencies sign agreements

Saudi, US security agencies sign agreements
Updated 27 May 2025
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Saudi, US security agencies sign agreements

Saudi, US security agencies sign agreements

RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud, Saudi Minister of Interior, has signed a number of agreements with US counterpart agencies, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The agreements fall within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control and the Facilities Security Forces' mandate to develop human capital, transfer knowledge, and enhance the capabilities of security agencies in drug control, training, and vital facilities security.

The minister signed the agreements under the directives of the Saudi leadership, SPA said.

The agreements fall within the framework of strengthening international partnerships with counterpart agencies.


Saudi ministers announce full Hajj readiness with 1.07 million pilgrims already in Kingdom

Saudi ministers announce full Hajj readiness with 1.07 million pilgrims already in Kingdom
Updated 27 May 2025
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Saudi ministers announce full Hajj readiness with 1.07 million pilgrims already in Kingdom

Saudi ministers announce full Hajj readiness with 1.07 million pilgrims already in Kingdom
  • ‘Our goal is a safe, efficient pilgrimage for all,’ Hajj and Umrah minister says
  • Health, media, transport ministers outline preparations for seamless experience

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its full readiness to serve pilgrims during Hajj 1446H, with more than 1.07 million pilgrims already in the Kingdom and advanced digital systems deployed across sectors to ensure a safe and seamless experience for them.

At a joint press conference on Monday, ministers from Hajj and Umrah, Health, Transport and Media outlined the strategic and operational plans for the pilgrimage season, which align with Vision 2030’s goals for service excellence.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said that more than 1.4 million Nusuk smart cards had been issued and more than 30 new digital services launched via the Nusuk app this year. The digital platform supports the entire pilgrim journey, from arrival to departure, including permits, mobility, guidance and real-time updates.

Al-Rabiah said that pilgrim camp allocations in Mina and Arafat were now fully integrated with crowd flow systems.

“We began preparing for this season immediately after the last one ended,” he said. “From digital permits to onsite inspections, our goal is a safe, efficient pilgrimage for all.”

As part of the operational strategy, the ministry has conducted more than 37,000 inspections of service providers this month, identifying 3,400 violations and resolving them immediately.

To assist pilgrims on the ground, more than 120 guidance points have been established, including the “Ask Me” service and more than 400 electric carts for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel said that more than 50,000 healthcare services had been delivered, with no epidemic cases detected so far.

A 60 percent increase in clinical capacity has been implemented this year, supported by three field hospitals, 71 emergency points, 900 ambulances and 11 air ambulances. Since the start of the season, the ministry has performed 140 surgeries, 65 heart catheterizations and six open-heart operations.

“Our focus is prevention first, followed by rapid response,” Al-Jalajel said. “We are committed to protecting every pilgrim from harm.”

Minister of Transport Saleh Al-Jasser announced the integration of smart monitoring systems, including the use of drones to monitor crowd movement and sensor-enabled roads to reduce heat by up to 12 degrees Celsius.

The Mashair Train will carry up to 72,000 pilgrims per hour, while Haramain High-Speed Railway is offering 2 million seats, up by 400,000 from last year. Additionally, rubberized and cooled road technologies have been expanded by 30 percent to improve comfort and reduce heat exposure.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said that the Kingdom had launched Hajj awareness campaigns in 50 languages and was now hosting international broadcasters from more than 25 countries. More than 10,000 Wi-Fi access points have also been activated in the holy sites to keep pilgrims connected.

Al-Dosari emphasized the role of AI this year in managing crowd flow and optimizing decision making in real time through data analysis, all handled by trained digital teams.

“Serving pilgrims is a duty we inherit and honor,” he said. “Every detail matters and this year, every tool of technology and collaboration is in place to ensure a successful Hajj.


Saudi health minister: No epidemic threats detected during Hajj season so far, no risk of outbreaks

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel. (MoH)
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel. (MoH)
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi health minister: No epidemic threats detected during Hajj season so far, no risk of outbreaks

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel. (MoH)
  • Saudi Arabia began Hajj readiness months in advance, conducting global health risk assessments for diseases such as yellow fever, polio, and meningitis

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel confirmed on Monday that there have been no public health concerns during the Hajj season so far and that the public health situation remains stable.

“We are pleased to announce that no epidemic cases have been detected so far and there is no risk for outbreak of diseases. The health and safety of pilgrims remain our highest priority,” said Al-Jalajel in an official statement.

He said the Kingdom is proactively preparing to ensure a safe pilgrimage experience for everyone and the health ministry continues to closely monitor the health situation.

Saudi Arabia’s extensive preparedness has been guided by the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and is made possible by close cooperation across public, private, and non-governmental sectors, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia began Hajj readiness months in advance, conducting global health risk assessments for diseases such as yellow fever, polio, and meningitis. These efforts led to the implementation of strict health entry requirements and the introduction of new “health capability” criteria to ensure pilgrims are medically fit to perform their rituals safely, the ministry added.

Al-Jalajel thanked all countries for cooperating and adhering to the guidelines. “Our story with Hajj is long-standing, but every year we write a new chapter—with greater readiness, deeper awareness, and smarter technology,” the minister said.

Health teams have been stationed at 14 entry points across land, air, and sea to provide immediate medical services since the first flight under the Makkah Route Initiative arrived, the ministry said.

So far, over 50,000 healthcare services have been delivered, including 140 surgeries, 65 cardiac catheterizations, and six open-heart procedures.

As part of preventative measures against extreme heat, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites has planted over 10,000 trees, expanded shaded walkways, and installed 400 water stations and mist fans.

The Ministry has also launched many multilingual public health awareness raising campaigns through media, field engagement, and international medical missions.

It has also significantly boosted the health infrastructure at the holy sites. Bed capacity has increased by 60 percent compared to last year. A new emergency hospital with 200 beds was recently inaugurated in Mina, while three field hospitals — totaling more than 1,200 beds — were deployed in collaboration with the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and National Guard.

This year has also seen the highest-ever private sector involvement in Hajj healthcare, with three major private hospitals operating at the holy sites.

To ensure rapid emergency responses, 11 medical evacuation aircraft, 900 ambulances, and 71 new emergency points have been activated, with more than 7,500 paramedics on the ground.

Advanced digital solutions are being deployed, including smart monitoring devices for high-risk pilgrims connected to Seha Virtual Hospital and telemedicine services for remote consultations. More than 50,000 healthcare and technical professionals are behind these efforts.

In a direct message to pilgrims, Al-Jalajel said: “You are the most important part of Hajj. Your awareness, prevention, and responsibility matter. Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged walking and overcrowded areas, wear your mask, use an umbrella, and follow movement instructions. If you feel unwell, seek help immediately. We are always by your side.”

“Awareness, prevention, and responsibility are not only personal choices—but religious and humanitarian obligations to protect the health and safety of all pilgrims,” he added.


Saudi energy minister meets COP30 president-designate in Riyadh

Saudi energy minister meets COP30 president-designate in Riyadh
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi energy minister meets COP30 president-designate in Riyadh

Saudi energy minister meets COP30 president-designate in Riyadh
  • Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the Kingdom’s adoption of the circular carbon economy framework and other national and regional programs to address climate change

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman met with COP30 President-designate Andre Correa do Lago in Riyadh on Sunday.

The two officials discussed cooperation on climate action and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Their talks emphasize the importance of inclusive and balanced outcomes that consider national circumstances.

The meeting also reviewed Saudi Arabia’s climate initiatives, including its efforts to expand renewable energy and to manage, reduce and remove emissions through the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.

Prince Abdulaziz highlighted the Kingdom’s adoption of the circular carbon economy framework and other national and regional programs to address climate change.

COP30 is scheduled to take place in November in Belem, Brazil.

 


Red Sea Souk opens industry program applications

Red Sea Film Festival fosters cross-cultural collaboration and creative opportunities in the global film community. (SPA)
Red Sea Film Festival fosters cross-cultural collaboration and creative opportunities in the global film community. (SPA)
Updated 27 May 2025
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Red Sea Souk opens industry program applications

Red Sea Film Festival fosters cross-cultural collaboration and creative opportunities in the global film community. (SPA)
  • The festival continues to serve as a key platform for cross-cultural collaboration and creative opportunities in the global film community and Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning creative sector

RIYADH: The Red Sea Souk has opened submissions for its Project Market and Work-in-Progress screenings, both set to run during the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district from Dec. 4-13 this year.

Held annually, the Red Sea International Film Festival amplifies the Kingdom’s creative and cultural diversity through programs designed to engage both public audiences and industry professionals.

The festival’s industry market, running from Dec. 6-10, brings together filmmakers, producers, investors, and cinema professionals from around the globe to support emerging talent and international co-productions.

FASTFACTS

• The Project Market is accepting submissions until June 20 for narrative, animated, and documentary projects currently in development or production.

• The Work-in-Progress program is open until July 29 to feature films in post-production.

The Project Market is accepting submissions until June 20 for narrative, animated, and documentary projects currently in development or production. Projects must be helmed by directors from Arab, African, or Asian countries, or by filmmakers of Arab origin.

Selected entries will receive tailored industry guidance and opportunities to pitch to distributors, festival programmers, and production partners.

The Work-in-Progress program is open until July 29 to feature films in post-production. It offers private industry screenings, mentorship, and networking with potential distributors, financiers, and festival representatives.

Both programs will strengthen film talent from Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab, African, and Asian regions, encouraging co-productions and international exposure.

The festival continues to serve as a key platform for cross-cultural collaboration and creative opportunities in the global film community and Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning creative sector.