Located in the Arabian Gulf, the Kingdom of Bahrain is best known for its vast reserves of oil that have caused the island to be recognised as the fastest growing economy in the Middle East. Literally meaning “two seas” in Arabic, the small island kingdom lies between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and exhibits a mix of traditional Islamic and western culture. The Kingdom of Bahrain is also well known for its motorsports, with Formula One enthusiasts flocking to the region on numerous occasions, including the Gulf Air Grand Prix in 2004.

Speaking at the first Underground Infrastructure Middle East Conference and Exhibition in Bahrain in January, Ministry Public Works Affairs Under-Secretary Nayef Al Kalali spoke of the need to implement adequate asset management procedures in the face of future environmental and economic challenges.

“The serious concerns about the impact of global warming and rapid economic and population growth have increased the need for integral planning, better resources, and advanced technologies for providing sustainable cost-effective services of the highest quality,” he said.

The Bahrain Ministry of Works used the first Underground Infrastructure Middle East conference to present its National Master Plan for Sanitary Engineering, a 20-year program which includes more than 120 kilometres of new trunk sewers to be built in Bahrain with microtunnelling as the preferred construction technique.

With almost a third of Bahrain’s sewerage network in a state of severe deterioration, rehabilitation works and asset management procedures are of high priority to the Ministry of Works.

“The infrastructure in Bahrain is rapidly exceeding its lifetime and as of now 30 per cent of the network has deteriorated or is rapidly deteriorating,” said Mr Al Kalali.

“In addition, there is infiltration of underground water into the sewerage network in about 50 per cent of areas. This results in flooding in the sanitary network and has serious environmental consequences as well causing other problems among the population.

“Bahrain is also lacking in comprehensive storm drainage networks,” Mr Al Kalali said.

Local sources report that Mr Al Kalali identified high operating and maintenance costs as well as the reluctance of engineers to work in infrastructure fields as serious issues facing underground infrastructure works in Bahrain.

Mr Al Kalali said the Ministry of Works had made advances in several strategic developmental and infrastructure projects, including a national master plan for sanitary engineering services and long-term sewerage network rehabilitation programs. A sewage treatment plant will also be developed in Muharraq, the second largest city in Bahrain.

Bahrain’s sanitary services were developed just over 30 years ago, and as such are still relatively new when compared to other utility services such as electricity and water. At present, 91 per cent of the country is connected to the sanitary service and the Ministry of Works is hoping to connect the remaining nine per cent in the next decade.

Works Ministry Sanitary Engineering Assistant Under-Secretary Khalifa Ebrahim Al Mansoor emphasised the need for special financing and management techniques to provide sustainable utility service deliveries in the face of rapid growth in the region.

Mr Al Mansoor said the progress in providing the sanitary services during the last 30 years had resulted in tremendous improvements to the environment and public health, including introducing a new valuable source of water which can be considered renewable and should increase in time.

The upgrading of infrastructure networks in Bahrain aims to make the country a more desirable investment location for foreign and local businesses in accordance with the Economic Vision 2030.

The first Underground Infrastructure Middle East Conference and Exhibition took place from 18–19 January 2010 in Bahrain and drew approximately

300 participants from 13 nations to discuss the latest developments, strategies and techniques in the fields of tunnelling, trenchless installations, pipe and sewer rehabilitation and asset management.

Supported by the German Society for Trenchless Technology (GSTT), it is hoped that the event will develop Bahrain into a regional hub for the underground infrastructure industry in the Middle East, with preparations already underway for the next Underground Infrastructure Middle East in January 2011.