Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company (NWC) is evaluating proposals for the estimated SR2bn ($533m) contract to build four steel reservoirs in Mecca with a combined capacity of 760,000 cubic metres.

NWC received bids from contractors on 11 June and will shortlist interested firms based on their technical submissions, before it opens commercial bids for the shortlisted contractors. “The client is currently evaluating the technical bids, and once it has done that and selected a shortlist, it will open the commercial bids, which will probably be in the next two weeks,” says a source close to the project.

The selected bidder will be responsible for the construction of the reservoirs, as well as the valves, which are to be placed at 500-metre intervals. The contractor will design and procure all relevant permits and authorisation from the municipality and other utilities for the implementation of the works.

NWC is currently negotiating a contract for a further 560,000 cubic metres of reservoir storage in Mecca. NWC invited a select group of companies to submit offers for the contract, which also comprises four reservoirs.

The national water body is also currently tendering a contract to build an estimated SR1bn sewage treatment plant at Jeddah airport. Prequalified consortiums have until 7 July to submit bids for the project.

The sewage treatment plant will have a capacity of 500,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d) and will feature a biogas heat-to-power unit with a capacity of 8MW. The project will be the second wastewater treatment plant at King Abdulaziz International airport. The winning bidder will provide civil, mechanical and electrical works for the project.

The facility will be built in the northern part of Jeddah city near the King Abdulaziz International Airport and adjacent to the first sewage treatment plant at the site. The plant will serve residential areas around Palestine Street and north-central neighbourhoods in Jeddah city.