Saudi Arabia is witnessing major expansion in water infrastructure, driven by strategic plans to improve water supply, wastewater management, and desalination. Two key players in this transformation are:
- SWCC (Saline Water Conversion Corporation), now formally renamed Saudi Water Authority (SWA). Wikipedia+1
- NWC (National Water Company), responsible for water & wastewater services under international standards. Saudi Pipe Systems Co.+3NWC+3Smart Water Magazine+3
GCC Valves is committed to supporting these programs, especially where large-ductile iron valves and pipes are required, offering durability, reliability, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Key Developments & Projects
Here are some of the driving projects and policies that make large ductile iron pipe & valve supply critical:
- SWCC / SWA Contracts & Steel / Pipe Supply
East Pipes Integrated Company was awarded a contract exceeding SAR 1 billion (~USD 266 million) by SWCC to manufacture & supply steel pipes. Saudi Gulf Projects+2ChemAnalyst+2
Also, the Southern Ring Water Transmission System project is under construction, involving major pipelines. Saudi Gulf Projects+1 - Valves & Coatings
For SWCC, valve and pipe components are often required to have protective linings; for example, F.B.E. (Fusion-Bonded Epoxy) lining is being applied on valves & fittings to resist corrosion in seawater/desalination service. VIP Verniciatura - NWC Expansion & Water / Sanitation Projects
• In the Eastern Province (Dammam, Al-Khobar, Al-Qatif, Al-Ahsa, Hafr Al-Batin), NWC is implementing 12 major water & sanitation projects worth SR 1.5 billion, including laying main and feeder water lines, expanding networks, and constructing lift/lifting stations. NWC
• Replacement of critical valves in existing pumping stations in Riyadh: large range valves up to DN 1100 and pressure ratings around 25 bar have been supplied. Utilities Valves
Role of Ductile Iron Valves & Pipes
Given the scale and nature of projects, ductile iron materials are preferred in many instances, for good reasons:
- High strength & durability: for large diameters and high external loads.
- Good corrosion resistance, especially when appropriately coated (e.g. epoxy, FBE).
- Cost effectiveness vs more exotic metals, especially for water distribution & sewage.
- Widely used in large main lines, feeder lines, valves (gate, butterfly, check), fittings and hydrants.
Examples:
- NWC projects have used ductile iron gate valves made to standards like BS 5163, with bypass feature, resilient seats, non-rising stems, flanged ends, epoxy coatings. Waterworks Engineering
- Saudi Pipe Systems Co. (SPS) lists ductile iron fittings & valves among their core product lines. Saudi Pipe Systems Co.
Policy & Local Content Push
To align with Saudi Vision 2030 and national water strategies:
- NWC has signed MoUs with national manufacturers (e.g. Saudi Amicon, Saudi Pipe Systems, AVK Saudi Valve Manufacturing) to localize production of water valves and meet company standards & supply chain needs. Industrial Valve News
- SWCC/SWA emphasizes supplying durable materials & linings (e.g. FBE, epoxy) to ensure long life in harsh / saline environments. VIP Verniciatura
Implications for Suppliers (like GCC Valves)
For companies positioning themselves in the SWCC / NWC space, these are key takeaways:
- Design for large diameter, high durability: Valve bodies & pipes with ductile iron must meet relevant strength, pressure ratings, and standards (e.g. BS, ISO, AWWA).
- Protective coatings: Epoxy, FBE, fusion bonded linings are often mandatory for corrosion resistance.
- Compliance & documentation: As with Aramco/ADNOC standards, projects require test reports, inspection, MTCs, welding & manufacturing records.
- Local content and partnerships: Projects and tenders increasingly favour suppliers who manufacture locally or have local capacity and certification.
- Support infrastructure scale: Supply chains must handle large volumes (linear kilometers of pipe, large valve sizes), and timely delivery is crucial.
Conclusion
SWCC/SWA and NWC are rapidly expanding the Kingdom’s water infrastructure. For large ductile-iron valves and pipes, the demand is strong, especially in major projects for water transmission, sanitation, and system upgrades. GCC Valves is well-positioned to support these developments with quality products, compliant coatings, strong documentation, and local supply capability.