Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has awarded a QR700m ($192m) contract to build the extension of the existing Doha South wastewater treatment facility to India’s Larsen & Toubro.

The new project will be designed to handle 92 million litres of wastewater per day using the using sequential batch reactor technology.

It will also have an ultra filtration unit, which is designed to handle 187 million litres per day.

The local Galfar Al-Misnad will execute the civil works while the US’ ITT will provide the sequential batch reactor technology.

The local office of KEO International Consultants has been appointed by Ashghal as adviser on the project.

The other bidders were a joint venture of Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and France’s Veolia; and Singapore’s Keppel Seghers with the local HBK Contracting. The revised bids were submitted in February.

Ashghal’s long-term plan is to relocate the Doha South plant to Mesaieed, about 35 kilometres south of the capital. Under the relocation plan, the Doha South plant would be converted into a pumping station.

Sewage would still be collected at the site, but from there it would be pumped southwest to Abu Nakhla before being transferred to Mesaieed for treatment. However, industry sources say this scenario is unlikely to happen for another 15 years.