Speaking to Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, he said the ministry plugged 64,639 leaks at water distribution networks in various parts of the country.

The ministry is currently implementing water and sewage projects worth SR6.68 billion in Riyadh province, including sewage pipelines valued at SR2.3 billion.

“In the next two years, the ministry intends to carry out a number of new water projects in the province at a cost of SR4.85 billion,” the minister said.

Luay Al-Musallam, CEO of National Water Company, briefed the governor on his company’s achievements during a short span of two years. “By stopping leakages, we have been able to save 21,738 cubic meters of water in 2010,” he pointed out.

He said the demand for water tankers in Riyadh decreased from 23 million cubic meters in 2008 to nine million cubic meters in 2010 with the pumping of adequate quantities of water through the network.

Al-Musallam said the number of incomplete water and sewage projects in Riyadh was reduced from 89 to 34 during the period. He also referred to measures taken by the company to speed up implementation of projects.

“We have implemented a sewage project west of Riyadh within six months, instead of 18 months while another project in Badr was carried out in 15 months instead of 30 months,” he said.

The NWC was also successful in reducing the period to provide water connections to households from 70 days to 28 days and sewage connections from 180 days to 45 days. “We have provided 47,479 sewage connections during 2009-2010,” he said.

Prince Salman commended the company’s efforts to dry up Nazim sewage lake, east of Riyadh, with the support of the Riyadh municipality, saying it helped protect the city’s environment.

Also on Tuesday, Prince Salman held talks with visiting Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin. They discussed a number of issues of mutual concern and ways of strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting was attended by Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh.