Water & Wastewater

Bentley technology to the fore

Shawwa: offering fully integrated solutions

Software firm Bentley Systems, provider of solutions for the design, construction and operation of infrastructure in the water and wastewater field, has highlighted the importance of technology to optimise use of scarce water and equipment.

As water is scarce in the Middle East and even desalination plants seem inadequate to meet needs, it is imperative to sustain water, manage water leakage and water quality and install an efficient distribution network, says Talal Shawwa, director of sales for the geospatial industry at Bentley Systems.

“We work with organisations providing potable water. We provide the whole lifecycle, including the design, build, operation and maintenance of the network,” Shawwa said.

Bentley’s fully integrated water, wastewater, and storm water solution gives an end-to-end range of functionality, addressing the needs of owner-operators and engineers who contribute to the water infrastructure lifecycle.

 

MULTI-FACETED SOLUTION

Bentley’s solution encompasses hydraulic and hydrology analysis, network design and management, water and wastewater treatment plant design, operations and maintenance, mapping and engineering content management.

“Since our water and wastewater solution is a fully integrated offering, it serves as the single source for the software systems, support, and services that your organisation requires. And as the leading commercial guardian of engineering interoperability, customers are assured that an investment in Bentley will extend the value of their current technologies and training investments. That is one of the big things we are proud of,” Shawwa says.

“The latest thing we have added to our portfolio is the asset management performance or RCM (reliability centre management) to check how efficiently the system is working.

Bentley is engaged in all aspects of the water industry

Bentley is engaged in all aspects of the water industry

“Each country has different rules. Leak detection/water loss is a big thing now, also pump scheduling that helps manage the consumption, as well as the life cycle and efficiency of the pump. These things are important and the UAE has taken a lead by adopting these solutions. Other countries in the region look at the UAE as reference.”

Shawwa said the UAE is moving into a new direction, particularly with the recent announcement that it wants to embrace the 3D Smart City concept. The move would offer prospects to Bentley as it provides solutions for monitoring not just water and wastewater but all utilities including sub-surface utilities, the official points out.

Bentley started operations in the Middle East in 1998. The company has been involved with several water directorates in Saudi Arabia for water, wastewater and storm water systems. In the UAE it has been involved with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa), Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) in Ajman.

Major consultants including Parsons, Hyder Consulting and Bechtel have been using Bentley solutions for water and sewerage networks, Shawwa says.

“We are currently doing a big project with ADDC, a modelling and water network design with Hyder Consulting, and have just finished a project with Dewa. The Middle East is one of the most important regions for Bentley as it is the place where the mega projects are taking place. We are looking at investing in the area and deploying more people from outside into this region, mainly in Dubai.”

In Egypt Bentley Systems is working with a wastewater and water holding company that controls 26 regions in the country.

The company has expanded its Dubai office. Last year it opened an office in Qatar and another in  Riyadh to complement its office in Al Khobar. Bentley has an office in Jordan for the East Mediterranean region, two in Turkey and one in South Africa for the African market.