EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Eng. Essam M. Zahra on Advancing Water Security and Supply Chain Resilience

A media-ready executive conversation on NWWC’s role in localization, strategic inventory, digital transformation, lifecycle performance, and future-ready water infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Water is not only a utility. It is the foundation of national resilience, industrial growth, and sustainable development.

NWWC’s role in Saudi Arabia’s water transformation

National Water Works Company (NWWC) is part of a long-standing water-sector legacy through Al-Mousa Group. Today, the company’s role extends beyond supply and installation into integrated engineering solutions, lifecycle support, localization, and strategic contribution to Saudi Arabia’s water security agenda.

Executive profile

• Agri-Mechanical Engineer with a Mini MPA in Business Communication.
• More than 30 years of experience in water pumping systems, water handling equipment, and major project management across the Gulf region.
• CEO and Board Member of National Water Works Company (NWWC), Saudi Arabia.

NWWC strategic position

• Active across supply and installation, commercial water services, O&M, EPC projects, and maintenance and after-sales services.
• Supports water and wastewater infrastructure, desalination, treatment, pumping stations, wells, pipelines, and transmission networks.
• Combines in-house technical expertise with partnerships with leading global manufacturers.
• Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 water-sector transformation and local-content priorities.

NWWC’s next chapter is not only about supplying water solutions. It is about helping secure the Kingdom’s water future.

1. To begin, how would you describe your journey in the water industry?

My journey has always been connected to practical engineering, water movement, and the delivery of reliable systems under real operating conditions. I am an Agri-Mechanical Engineer with a Mini MPA in Business Communication, and I have spent more than 40 years working across water pumping systems, water handling equipment, and major project management throughout the Gulf region. Today, as CEO and Board Member of National Water Works Company, I see my role as a continuation of that journey, but with a broader mandate.
The industry is no longer only about products, supply, or project execution. It is about resilience, national readiness, operational continuity, and the ability to support the Kingdom’s long-term water security objectives.
As the original water-sector company within Al Mousa Group, NWWC carries a legacy that extends over more than five decades in Saudi Arabia’s water industry. Through its platform, several specialized companies were established and developed, including TDS, FBC, NEWC, and NMI shaping an integrated ecosystem that continues to support the Kingdom’s growing water infrastructure sector. This long-standing heritage is more than a history of success; it is a responsibility that drives NWWC to preserve the highest standards
of technical reliability while continuously modernizing its solutions, services, and market approach to meet the evolving demands of the future.

2. Why Has Water Security Become One of Saudi Arabia’s Most Strategic Priorities Today?

As Saudi Arabia continues its rapid urban, industrial, and economic growth, water security has become a critical pillar of sustainable development. With limited natural freshwater resources and rising demand, the Kingdom is heavily investing in desalination, water reuse, strategic storage, and smart infrastructure in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy to build a more resilient and sustainable water sector.
In this evolving landscape, NWWC continues to support the Kingdom through reliable and sustainable water solutions backed by decades of technical expertise. The company believes that groundwater aquifers and deep wells remain among the most dependable water sources during critical conditions, which has positioned NWWC as a leading provider of borehole pumping solutions that enhance water security and ensure operational continuity across Saudi Arabia.

3. How Does NWWC Translate Saudi Arabia’s Water Vision into Integrated Solutions?

Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy, NWWC has evolved from a traditional pumping equipment supplier into a provider of integrated water solutions that support the Kingdom’s infrastructure and sustainability goals.
Through five core business channels Commercial, Supply & Installation Projects, EPC Projects, Operations & Maintenance, and Maintenance & After-Sales Services the company supports clients across the full project lifecycle, from technical consultation and installation to commissioning, maintenance, spare parts, and long-term operational
support. Backed by decades of expertise, NWWC delivers advanced pumping systems and turnkey solutions across water treatment, desalination, transmission networks, pumping stations, water wells, and wastewater facilities ensuring reliable performance and sustainable water infrastructure across Saudi Arabia.

4. How is NWWC strengthening supply chain resilience and operational continuity?

Supply chain resilience has become a major strategic priority. Global disruptions, geopolitical risks, and delivery constraints have shown that water infrastructure companies must think beyond traditional procurement. At NWWC, we are strengthening supplier diversification, improving logistics visibility, and expanding local capabilities
to reduce exposure to disruption. One of the most important pillars is our bold approach to inventory. We consider strategic stock a business continuity tool, not simply a cost item. By carrying selected critical and fast-moving items,
NWWC protects delivery schedules, accelerates emergency response, and gives customers a higher level of confidence when timing is critical. This inventory courage is part of our supply chain philosophy. It supports project execution, maintenance response, after-sales service, and spare parts availability. In a sector as critical as water,
readiness is not optional; it is part of the value proposition.

5. What role do localization and in-Kingdom capability play in NWWC’s next phase?

Localization has become a core pillar of NWWC’s long-term strategy, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s direction toward stronger local content and industrial development. The company is expanding its in-Kingdom manufacturing, assembly, technical services, and operational support capabilities to enhance service
reliability, delivery speed, and supply chain resilience. A key driver of this transformation is NMI, which has evolved into a strategic industrial platform supporting pumps, mechanical systems, assembly, testing, and technical services. One of its major milestones was the development of LEO KSA, strengthening the Group’s presence in the commercial and project pumps market while improving local responsiveness and after-sales support. At the same time, NWWC continues to collaborate with global technology leaders such as Franklin Electric to combine international technology with Saudi execution strength, supporting knowledge transfer, future localization opportunities, and sustainable industrial growth within the Kingdom.

6. How is digital transformation changing the way NWWC operates?

Digital transformation is directly linked to operational efficiency. One of NWWC’s strategic objectives is to accelerate automation, integrate advanced technologies, and improve process visibility. For us, this means building faster, smarter, and more transparent operations. We are working toward more agile and digitally enabled logistics and supply chain models. Better visibility across procurement, project cycles, delivery, maintenance, and after-sales support allows us to improve response speed and decision quality. Digital transformation is also important for the
wider market. Saudi Arabia is moving toward smart water infrastructure, AI-enabled water management, IoT-supported systems, smart metering, and stronger resource efficiency. NWWC must be part of this shift, not only as a supplier, but as an execution and service partner.

7. Which market segments represent the strongest growth opportunities?

The Saudi water sector is expanding across several fronts. Desalination remains a backbone of potable water supply, while wastewater treatment and reuse are becoming increasingly important for sustainability, agriculture, industry, and circular water economy objectives. Industrial and commercial water services are also becoming more attractive as economic diversification creates higher demand from manufacturing, mining, petrochemicals, food and beverage, commercial buildings, and new urban developments. These sectors require treatment, pumping, filtration, reuse, firefighting, & reliable lifecycle service. Agriculture is another important area because it is one of the largest water-consuming sectors. The movement toward precision irrigation, treated wastewater reuse, and efficient water management creates a broader opportunity for technical solutions that reduce water intensity while supporting food security.

8. How does NWWC support mega projects and national development programs?

NWWC is proud to contribute to major national developments such as NEOM, the Red Sea, Qiddiya, and AMAALA. These projects require more than equipment supply. They require reliable engineering, supply chain discipline, lifecycle support, and the ability to meet demanding project requirements. Mega projects are reshaping expectations in the water sector. They require future-ready infrastructure, sustainability alignment, technical flexibility, and trusted partners who understand the local operating environment. This is where NWWC’s integrated model creates value. Our objective is to support these projects with resilient water and wastewater solutions that match the ambition of Saudi Arabia’s transformation and contribute to long-term infrastructure performance.

9. What does lifecycle performance mean for NWWC?

Lifecycle performance means that our responsibility does not stop at delivery. Water assets must continue to perform safely, efficiently, and reliably after installation. This is why operations support, preventive and corrective maintenance, testing and commissioning, workshop services, spare parts, and after-sales support are essential parts of our value proposition. NWWC’s maintenance and after-sales services are designed to improve reliability, extend equipment life, reduce downtime, and maintain compliance with project and manufacturer requirements. This is particularly important for critical water infrastructure, where failure can have operational, financial, and public service consequences. In practical terms, we want customers to see NWWC as a long-term performance partner, not only as a project vendor.

10. What is the message you want the market to associate with NWWC?

The message is simple: NWWC is ready for the next phase of the Saudi water sector. We bring technical depth, local presence, global partnerships, strategic inventory, lifecycle support, and a clear understanding of the Kingdom’s water security priorities. Our vision is to be the number one strategic partner in the water industries. That requires more than growth. It requires trust, reliability, innovation, customer focus, governance, and consistent execution. At NWWC, we are not only delivering water solutions. We are contributing to a broader national vision: stronger water security, industrial growth, sustainable infrastructure, and long-term resilience for Saudi Arabia.

The future of the water sector will belong to companies that combine engineering reliability with strategic readiness, local capability, and long-term service commitment.

Contact Information
National Water Works Co.
 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 Phone: +966500169791
 Email: info@nwwc.com.sa
 Website:https://nwwc.com.sa/