Industrial wastewater treatment optimization & expansion

Project context & challenges

Marafiq, an integrated power, water and gas utility company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, operates industrial and municipal wastewater treatment facilities supporting large-scale industrial developments. Increasing industrial activity resulted in growing wastewater volumes and higher performance requirements for existing treatment assets.

Having worked together for more than ten years, Marafiq and Nijhuis Saur Industries focused on improving operational reliability, treatment capacity, and long-term flexibility without relying solely on new infrastructure investments.

The challenge was to enhance system performance while maximizing the value of existing installations and preparing the facilities for future expansion and water reuse opportunities.

Customer benefits

Improved stability and performance of lagoon systems and WWTP operations

Increased treatment capacity through process and hydraulic optimization

Enhanced sludge handling and solids separation efficiency

Reduced operational risks through targeted system upgrades

Flexible foundation for phased capacity expansion

Prepared pathway toward industrial water reuse and resource recovery

Solution

Nijhuis Saur Industries implemented an integrated optimization approach combining process engineering expertise with targeted equipment upgrades and operational improvements.

The solution included optimization of pretreatment processes, biological lagoon performance, dissolved air flotation (DAF) systems, sludge dewatering, pumping systems, and hydraulic infrastructure. Rather than replacing assets, the focus was on improving hydraulic profiles and operational efficiency to unlock additional capacity within existing facilities.

This approach enabled Marafiq to meet increasing treatment demands while maintaining reliable and cost-effective operations.