Saudi Arabia to Build 1,000 Rainwater Harvesting Dams

Saudi Arabia is set to build 1,000 new rainwater-harvesting dams with a combined annual capacity of about 4 million cubic metres, in a project led by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and announced in July 2025.

the new dams are designed to serve three main goals: recharging groundwater reserves, supporting agricultural activity, and reducing the risks of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

The initiative builds on the Kingdom's existing water infrastructure. Earlier reporting indicated that Saudi Arabia was studying the addition of 1,000 dams alongside more than 564 dams already in operation, which together have a storage capacity exceeding 2.6 billion cubic metres.

Why it matters

Water security is a growing priority in the Kingdom, where rainfall is limited and demand continues to rise. Capturing rainwater helps replenish underground aquifers, provides an additional resource for farmers, and eases pressure on urban drainage systems during sudden downpours.

For residents in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, better flood mitigation can mean fewer disruptions to roads and daily life during the rainy season, while the wider effort supports long-term sustainability goals across Saudi Arabia.

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