MWH Global has been appointed by the Public Works Authority of Qatar (Ashghal) to develop an integrated drainage masterplan for Qatar.

The masterplan will provide an integrated decision framework for future investment into water and wastewater treatment, groundwater management, surface water and treated wastewater effluent infrastructure for the next 50 years.

The completed plan will be a world-class tool that can be updated and that will allow the Ashghal to examine, interrogate and plan future wet infrastructure investment, while taking into account the ever-changing demographics and wet infrastructure needs within Qatar.

Ian Hutchinson, Middle East operations director for MWH, said: “This win is the result of a fantastic global team effort, with the masterplan giving MWH the opportunity to showcase its experience and value at the planning stage of water resource projects where it can really make the greatest difference in the development of a country’s infrastructure.”

A core driver is Ashghal’s objective to embrace an integrated water management approach that brings together the planning and implementation of all water streams to create a state-of-the-art and sustainable infrastructure system upon which Qatar can continue to grow and prosper.

The project team will work closely with all stakeholders, from both the public and private sectors to consider Qatar’s short and long-term growth such that the wet infrastructure can be planned with confidence and certainty yet flexible enough to support mega events such as the 2022 Fifa (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup. MWH will also train and transfer all knowledge of the project to PWA staff.

The masterplan study will be completed in 24 months. At a formative stage of the project Ashghal and MWH will investigate, study and implement various initiatives that will produce immediate and tangible benefits to the community.