Metito completes first phase of Egypt project

Sharjah-based water and wastewater treatment firm Metito (Overseas) Ltd has installed a multi-million dollar desalination plant to supply over 5 million gallons per day (mgpd) of clean water to Egypt's Port Ghalib Resort.

"We have successfully completed the first phase, which is now operational," stated Karim Madwar, managing director, Metito Egypt Ltd.

This phase has a design capacity to provide up to 800,000 gallons (3,000 cubic metres) daily.

Port Ghalib is an integrated resort development that, when completed, will cover an 18 kilometre strip of pristine beachfront on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, around three hours driving time south of the existing resort town of Hurghada.

The resort's isolated location necessitated the creation of total infrastructure to supply water, power and water treatment needs for the area.

One of the major plant utility design and construction contracts was subsequently awarded to Metito for the water desalination plant that uses reverse osmosis technology.

The project was completed on behalf of Emak for Utilities and Services, a subsidiary of the M.A. Kharafi Group, under stringent requirements laid down by Emak and the overall project manager Bechtel.

The scope of work included design, engineering, manufacture, inspection, testing and supply, installation, commissioning, start-up and performance and reliability tests.

Metito has already had experience in providing treatment plants of this nature for other resorts in Egypt, especially in Sharm Al Sheikh.

The resort development comprises three integrated hotels - The Citadel Resort and Spa, the Caravans Hotel and Desert Village, and the Coral Beach Diving Resort, all managed by Sun International.

The new water treatment plant will eventually supply all the requirements of these hotels and the 1,050-berth marina that complements the development.