Monitoring pollution levels and strategies for improving wastewater treatment: The case of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, like many global cities, faces escalating challenges related to wastewater management. Although several research papers have been published about assessing wastewater treatment in Saudi Arabia, there is still a lack of evidence about current wastewater treatment plants’ effectiveness at minimising pollutants. This study investigated the efficacy of Jeddah’s wastewater treatment processes by analysing two critical indicators of organic pollution: chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The study assessed the correlation between inlet and outlet values of both pollutants, aiming to understand the effectiveness of current wastewater treatments. Surprisingly, regression models revealed that inlet values were weak predictors for their respective outlet values. This study concluded that the results highlighted Jeddah’s proactive wastewater management, demonstrated through significant planning, investment and adaptive measures. Notably, commendable reductions in BOD and COD emphasised the city’s effective wastewater treatment. However, challenges such as susceptibility to extreme weather events and industrial expansion were identified. Based on these findings, recommendations include investing in adaptive infrastructure designs, establishing continuous monitoring systems and actively engaging with technology innovators to further enhance wastewater treatment processes.