The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has increased efforts to develop solutions to overcome challenges for treating and managing rejected brine and salts from desalination plants. 

As part of its ongoing commitment to protect the marine ecosystem, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change organised the ‘Treatment and Management of Rejected – Brine and Salts from Desalination Plants’ seminar. It was attended by experts who discussed ways to treat wastewater from desalination plants operating in the region and shared research.

Rejected brine and salts from desalination plants can dangerously affect marine life, including increasing sea temperatures and concentrations of salts which can have a deadly impact on fish as it decreases oxygen levels in the water. High salinity can also damage desalination plants over time, reducing their capabilities.

During the seminar, attendees highlighted several potential solutions, including recycling water waste, potentially converting it into hydrogen as a clean energy source, extracting salts for edible and industrial use, and expanding promising small-scale research. 

The Ministry is also working with desalination plants and Qatar Electricity and Water Company to find solutions and strengthen efforts to protect the marine habitat.