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Idroesse Infrastructure’s Omar Habouch On Developing Sustainable Water Solutions For Brighter Stronger Future | |
| Staff Writer |
In an exclusive exchange with the Senior Project Manager involved in the ‘Update of the Stormwater Master Plan for Abu Dhabi’, Omar Habouch discusses his passion for a net-zero future. He is closely involved with the Abu Dhabi Municipalities in developing an all-encompassing solution for rainwater collection and discharge.
As the project team leader, he is not limited to the project but extends to leading the wet utilities team at the company as well.
Idroesse Infrastructure Middle East is an infrastructure engineering consultancy located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It operates the primary in the UAE and has earlier done projects in Oman. They have completed many major and minor infrastructure projects for the public sector organizations. One of the prestigious projects that Idroesse has completed successfully is South Shamkha infrastructures and utility development which included the design development and supervision of complete roads and infrastructure works for 40 square kilometer area of 12,000 villas, and schools, hospital, governmental offices, shopping malls, and retails and office facilities. One of Idroesse’s current major projects is Updating of Stormwater Master Plan Project for Abu Dhabi City. The project has been awarded by Abu Dhabi Municipality as a proactive response to Climate Change and to update its existing Master Plan.
In this interview, Habouch not only outlines how Idroesse instils sustainability and carbon neutrality in its employees’ day-to-day operations but also talks about key initiatives that could increase sustainable water development in the region.
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Q: Please tell us what you feel would be the one positive change that could be implemented at an industry level to raise the global standard on sustainability and carbon neutrality, taking the industry to the next level?
A: I believe that the maximum usage of renewable energy especially solar energy is a vital positive change that definitely would foster sustainability and maximize carbon neutrality in all industries particularly the operation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities. For instance, solar energy can offset more than 100% of electrical energy demand for an infrastructure facility. This means that it can generate Return on Investment (ROI) provided Legal Frameworks are established, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are signed with utility companies and land is available for related solar systems’ installations. I think that GCC Countries will be very soon (i.e. in the next two years) establishing a market for excess solar energy utilising the existing electrical grids between these countries. For example, a block factory in Bahrain may buy energy directly from a wastewater treatment plant in UAE.
Q: How does the sustainability and carbon neutrality initiative fit into your day-to-day operations and how are these rooted in your company operations?
A: The sustainability and carbon neutrality completely fit in my day-to-day operations and activities starting from office operations including reduction of resources’ wastage to the development of sustainable infrastructure designs that increase the longevity of assets at lower operation and maintenance costs and optimized requirements. Idroesse instils sustainability and carbon neutrality in its employees’ day-to-day design and supervision activities at its office and construction sites respectively. Idroesse prepares studies for its clients on how to maximise sustainability in their business practices and products, as well as Idroesse provides its clients with solutions to reduce their businesses’ carbon footprint to the minimum possible level.
Q: Please also tell us about any 3 initiatives that you feel could increase sustainable water development in the region?
A: Water scarcity has become a serious problem that most countries worldwide are facing in the twenty-first century. In light of the current substantial growth of population and urban development in most GCC countries, I think the following three initiatives would significantly increase water sustainability in the region:
Q: Although the importance of water is deeply rooted in Arab culture, how did you develop an interest in the water industry and the sustainable water industry?
A: My interest in the water industry and sustainable water industry started during my undergraduate study in civil engineering when I had undertaken extensive research work on wastewater treatment using the lime/seawater process as a sustainable wastewater treatment process and was crowned by an award from H.H. Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. This interest has evolved since then with advanced postgraduate research work during my master’s in civil engineering accompanied by my professional experience working on strategic water and wastewater projects in the region including master plans for the various Emirates in the UAE.
Q: Please tell us about your favorite city and book of all time and why?
A: My favorite city of all time is Dubai. In addition to its well-known contemporary cityscapes, I like its dynamic culture, vast desert areas, beautiful beaches, and most importantly its leader’s vision that accelerate its fabulous growth and put it on a fast track to a bright future.
My favorite book of all time in the field of water and wastewater is “Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse”, 4th Edition by Metcalf & Eddy. Wherever I have worked, it was of help in obtaining typical values or overcoming some of the technical challenges in this field including water and wastewater flow rates forecasts, Advanced treatment processes, risk assessment for water reuse applications, and energy consumption optimization of wastewater treatment facilities.
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