Septech bags Saadiyat Island golf course deal

UAE-based Septech has been awarded the water production and irrigation contract for the Gary Player golf course on Saadiyat Island being developed by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC).

Septech, one of the region's leading water infrastructure and engineering specialists, will provide a dedicated desalination plant for the construction of the golf course with its partner GE Water and Process Technologies.

"Septech was awarded the contract based on the company's reputation for providing innovative and sustainable water solutions for regional golf course developers, as the construction of golf courses in arid desert environments bears unique challenges not seen anywhere else in the world," said David Heffernan, CEO of Septech. "Water is a crucial element in the development and maintenance of golf courses worldwide, and in this region having a reliable source of water is of paramount importance."

In line with TDIC's and South African golfing legend Gary Player's commitment to sustainable development, the Gary Player Championship Golf Course on Saadiyat Island demonstrates strong eco-responsiveness.

Player said: "Septech and GE are leading the way in sustainable golf course development in the Middle East by introducing on-site water treatment and desalination plants that prevent further stress from being placed on already depleted natural resources, provide constant, reliable access to clean water, to facilitate and sustain course construction and ongoing management.

The Mena region currently holds less than one per cent of the world's freshwater resources. Water extraction within the GCC far exceeds the natural renewable water resources for the region. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar extract 945 cubic metres, 841 cubic metres and 478 cubic metres per capita respectively over and above their available resources.