Report

Saudi Arabia stormwater management market is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.12% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 139.28 million in 2023 to USD 241.46 million in 2031.
Nations from the Middle East and Africa are going through a weather shift due to climate change and other natural disasters, such as storms, heavy rainfalls, and flood-like situations. A former faculty from the University of Maryland and IIT Bombay Earth System explained that the current weather pattern in the MEA region could be caused by a western disturbance blowing in from the Mediterranean Sea, as well as anti-cyclonic activity, which was a major contributing factor to the flooding of Dubai and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia requires advanced stormwater infrastructure to deal with adverse weather conditions like heavy rain pour and storms. In a dramatic shift in weather patterns, parts of the country are grappling with extreme floods following an unprecedented spell of heavy rainfall. The government in the region is constantly working toward enhancing stormwater management.
New stormwater management programs and infrastructures are being set up in the region to serve a major portion of urban cities in Saudi Arabia. These programs help the nation save on economic costs and conserve environmental damage. One of the prominent examples of projects like these is the Jeddah Storm Water Program (JSWP), which ensures efficient stormwater drainage for the city of Jeddah. Constructed by the Williams Sale Partnership Limited (WSP), the Jeddah Storm Water Program (JSWP) and Jeddah Stormwater Drainage Program (JSDP) were launched to revive the city's drainage system, ensure the city's infrastructure longevity, and help mitigate the effects of flooding that Jeddah has experienced in recent years.
Climate Change and Limited Stormwater Management Infrastructure to Propel the Market Growth

Saudi Arabian cities are seeing more frequent and severe urban flooding situations, particularly during monsoons, because of climate shifts and Mediterranean weather fluctuations. For instance, in January 2024, The National Center for Meteorology issued a red rainfall warning, which led to severe flooding in some areas of Saudi Arabia. The northern regions, provinces of Hail and al-Qassim, as well as Ash Sharqiyah's were a few areas that were majorly impacted.

Proper stormwater management is necessary to prevent flooding, ensure urban resilience, and support sustainable urban development in areas like Jeddah, which has experienced rapid urban growth. The program on stormwater management enhances social, economic, and urban growth, and reduces the risk of flooding while catalyzing a more sustainable and resilient community. Authorities run awareness campaigns and seminars to address the importance of advanced stormwater management systems. For instance, in May 2024, the Stormwater and Wastewater Conference Saudi Arabia, held at Jeddah Hilton, aimed to solve issues and meet project needs for stormwater and wastewater treatment, and reuse facilities, as the Kingdom focuses on sustainable urban development.
Extreme Weather Events and Topography to Expand Market Expansion
Saudi Arabia recently received an all-time high amount of rainfall. In the last few years, some areas received higher rainfalls than they do in one year. The existing infrastructure has been overtaken by this harsh weather probably due to global warming. Saudi Arabia's terrain is made up of deserts and wadis, which are dry riverbeds during most times of the year but can turn into powerful rivers after heavy downpours. Flash floods are common in different parts of Saudi Arabia when heavy rains occur.
Wadis in southwest Saudi Arabia experience flash floods during high-pressure storms. These wadis are particularly prone to flooding due to the steep slopes of the basins in areas, such as the Asir mountain range in the province of Jazan. The speed, intensity, and frequency of flooding in Wadis are higher than in other parts of Saudi Arabia.
Government Regulatory Framework and Municipal Projects to Transform Market Dynamics
The government puts efforts to deal with adverse climate situations like flooding, stormwater damage, etc. In Saudi Arabia, the General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD) manages and plans for all emergencies, including flash floods. Even though GDCD attempts to identify flash flood hazard levels, there have been issues in coming up with policies, legislations, and regulations regarding flash floods' emergency planning. The reaction towards the problem is directed at improving strategies and action plans that will help reduce the effect of such natural calamities. The government also builds forums to address water resource challenges and rainwater management.
For instance, the MENA Stormwater and Wastewater Forum was the first of its kind in the MEA region. It was held from March 4-5, 2024, and focused on the water resource challenges facing the region. The second edition is scheduled to be held from February 26-27, 2025. The purpose of the forum is to bring people together and foster a spirit of cooperation. The forum will encourage sharing information and best practices, allowing participants to come up with new approaches to address the water challenges in the region.
Higher Investment Possibilities and Government Plans to Fuel the Municipal Segment
The municipal corporation segment holds a decent share of the Saudi Arabian stormwater management market. The government strategies are ready to provide direct capital investments. Municipal corporations, jointly with proficient teams of hydrologists, engineers, and environmentalists, create comprehensive stormwater management programs for their flood-prone areas. The construction is moving smoothly after the integration of stormwater master plans and the integration of detention systems. The construction and maintenance of stormwater drainage infrastructure lies within the municipal corporations' domain, which involves the construction of primary, secondary, and tertiary drains and the renovation of already existing stormwater drainage systems.
The present market size of Saudi Arabia's municipal wastewater treatment and reuse sector is estimated to be USD 4.69 billion. Saudi Arabia's National Water Company intends to carry out major development projects linked to wastewater treatment and reuse valued at USD 23 billion over the next 20 years.
Future Market Scenario (2024-2031)
- Rapid urbanization and weather shift due to climate change are anticipated to fuel market expansion.
- The adoption of innovative technologies and poorly designed infrastructure is projected to push authorities to adopt the latest stormwater management systems.
- Government investments and push from municipal corporations to build stormwater management systems is expected to propel market expansion.
- Implementing principles like stormwater harvesting, infiltration-based solutions, and retention-based systems will likely add value to the regional market.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Key players in the Saudi Arabia stormwater management market include a mixture of international companies along local vendors. Major brands focus on government tenders and private-public partnerships. Key market players also deliver custom facilities for operating stormwater management. Furthermore, competitors merge, collaborate, and acquire to enhance their supply chain and expand their service area.
For instance, Saudi Landscape & Contracting Company (SALCO) runs its stormwater drainage system in Al Asalah. The project comprises installing rainwater drainage networks and aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This project is likely to function as a means of mitigating the subsurface water level in the Al-Asala neighborhood of Jeddah, which is located between Prince Talal bin Mansour Road to the south, Medina Road to the west, and Al-Haramain Road to the north and east.