Seminar examines water usage in Qatar’s built environment

1 August 2011

A Doha seminar, hosted by Qatar Green Building Council’s Water Interest Group, has discussed new technologies and solutions currently available to conserve, recycle and reuse water.

The seminar, entitled “Water Usage in Qatar’s Built Environment” was the first in a series of events and workshops that will be organized by Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC).

Presenters proposed ways to change the region’s perceptions and behavior regarding water usage.

Alex Amato, QGBC’s Head of the Research and Innovation Committee, said the Seminar, attended by more than 150 delegates, marked the launch of the Water Interest Group’s activities.

“The members of the Water Interest Group (WIG) share a keen interest in all matters of environment related to water and between them have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share,” said Amato.

“Through hosting similar events and workshops, we aspire to be an active agent of change for the sustainable development of Qatar.”

Presentations were made by senior academics and professionals. Engineer Saad Al Joudi spoke about water use. He was followed by Dinky Willoughby, Director for Road and Dust Solutions, Qatar, who told the seminar about a new product that could be used to control dust without the excessive use of water.

Mark Sutcliffe, from Unesco, addressed the gathering on raising environmental awareness through their online fora and school programs, amongst other initiatives.

One of the water recycling initiatives, Bionest technology, that has already received a fair amount of media coverage was introduced by the Gulf Contracting company represented by Andy Ford.

The Bionest technology, which the company uses to recycle water, brings it a saving of more than QR2 million per year.

The seminar was also addressed by Adam Smith, of Polypipe Gulf, John Hadfield, Senior MEP manager for Hastie International Qatar and also an executive member of  the QGBC, Dr Fedaa Ali, of the Qatar Foundation Energy and Environment Research Institute, Prof Abdelwahab Aroussi, Director of the Gas Processing Centre at Qatar University and Peter Neuschaefer, Director of Waagner Biro in the Middle East.

Through its seminars, training events and workshops, QGBC aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable development practices that can be adopted in Qatar.

Under the council’s umbrella, members have formed a number of groups that focus on particular issues relating to the application of sustainability to the built environment.

QGBC’s members comprise businesses and individuals from various industries, including government, developers, construction professionals, facilities managers, construction manufacturers, technology providers, professional consultants, financial institutions, academe, and NGOs.

The council, which is supported by Qatar Foundation and HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, is a member of the World Green Building Council.

Through QGBC, a non-profit, membership-driven organization, Qatar joins a network of 80 different countries that run active national green building councils under the umbrella of the World Green Building Council.