In a country without rivers or lakes, Saudi Arabia has embarked on one of the most ambitious projects in its history: a gigantic underground river that transports drinking water produced from the sea to cities and towns in the desert.
Under the relentless sun, where natural water is a scarce treasure, this “artificial river” becomes the backbone of the national water strategy.
From the Red Sea to the heart of the desert
The process begins in Ras Mohaisen, where enormous desalination plants filter and purify every drop of water through reverse osmosis. Once potable, the water travels through underground pipes that stretch for kilometers, passing through pumping stations until reaching communities that never had direct access to the ocean.
This is not a natural river, but an engineering river that defies drought and extreme heat, bringing life where there was once only barren land. The plant will begin partial production in 2028 and reach its full capacity by 2030.
A long-term water strategy
Saudi Arabia currently operates 31 desalination plants distributed across 17 strategic points, with a workforce of more than 10,000 people. Additionally, new plants are under construction, in an expansion plan that already totals more than 24 billion dollars in investments.
The production of desalinated water allows the country to address its historic water deficit and meet the growing demand in households, agriculture, and industry. The first plant was inaugurated in 1907, marking the beginning of a long-term strategy without which the country would not have prospered as it did.
A shared challenge in the Middle East
Saudi Arabia is not alone in this endeavor. In the Middle East, one of the driest regions on the planet, desalination has become an urgent necessity.
Extreme climates, scarce rainfall, and arid soils contrast with strong economies driven by oil resources, allowing investment in large-scale technological solutions.
A global trend
Today, more than 150 countries and regions worldwide use desalination plants and devices as a response to water scarcity. From desert areas to islands with limited resources, technology demonstrates that it is possible to reverse hostile conditions and ensure access to drinking water.
Saudi Arabia’s “underground river” symbolizes how engineering and innovation can transform life in arid regions. More than an infrastructure project, it is a commitment to water sustainability and an example of how technology can turn the desert into a habitable space.
