Preserving Water Resources: A Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure

By Peter Baker, HSSE Manager, Douglas OHI‍

Water is one of our most precious resources - essential to life, communities, and industries alike. As global challenges such as climate change and water scarcity intensify, the need for sustainable water infrastructure has never been greater. At Douglas OHI, we take this responsibility seriously, embedding sustainability into our projects to ensure long-term water security and environmental protection.

Across Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, we have played a pivotal role in enhancing water accessibility, treatment, and sustainability. Projects such as the Barka IV and V Independent Water Plants, the Salalah Independent Power Project, the Salalah IWP Civil Works, and the ZULUF Waste Water Treatment Plant demonstrate our commitment to responsible water management and efficient infrastructure. These projects support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 13: Climate Action.

Why Glacier Preservation Matters

This year’s global focus on Glacier Preservation highlights a critical reality - our natural freshwater reserves are under threat. Glaciers act as the world’s water towers, feeding rivers, replenishing aquifers, and maintaining climate stability, yet rising global temperatures are causing them to melt at alarming rates. The consequences? Sea level rise, disrupted weather patterns, and shrinking freshwater supplies for billions.

Although glaciers may seem distant from our operations in the Middle East, the water cycle is a global system. Every drop we use today has been part of this process for billions of years, moving through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection in rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground aquifers. A disruption to any part of this cycle affects us all.

Douglas OHI’s Role in Sustainable Water Management

At Douglas OHI, we integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into everything we do. Our approach to water sustainability includes:

• Enhancing Water Efficiency: Implementing innovative construction methods that minimise water waste and maximise efficiency.

• Reducing Environmental Impact: Using sustainable materials and processes to lower our footprint.

• Strengthening Climate Resilience: Designing and delivering projects that withstand environmental challenges and ensure long-term water security.

Water scarcity is not a future problem - it is a present reality. As an industry leader, we recognise the urgency of adopting sustainable solutions, challenging conventional practices, and prioritising climate-conscious strategies.

At Douglas OHI, we are committed to shaping a future where water resources are protected, communities are resilient, and infrastructure is designed with sustainability at its core. By working together, across industries and sectors, we can secure access to clean water for generations to come.

The time to act is now. Let’s build a sustainable future, one project at a time.