Scottish Water's international arm has won a multimillion-pound contract to help Qatar ensure its drainage systems are of the highest standard as it prepares for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

A spokesman for state-owned Scottish Water declined to reveal the value of the five-year contract, citing confidentiality. However, it is believed to be worth about £5 million in total.

Scottish Water is acting as a sub-contractor to US-headquartered consulting, engineering and construction services company, MWH Global, which has been appointed by Qatar's public works authority, Ashghal, as management contractor for its drainage asset management programme.

Nigel Ayton, managing director of the recently-formed Scottish Water International, said: "This is a fantastic project to win so early in our business life and it reflects the expertise we have built up in the first 10 years of Scottish Water's life.”

"We have been working closely with engineering partners MWH and we're proud to add value to this project in Qatar. Our people at Scottish Water have an excellent track record of transforming service in a short space of time and we are excited at the prospect of sharing our learning and experience in a high-profile, fast-developing part of the world," he said.

“These are crucial times, with the management of the water cycle high on many countries' agendas. There are many opportunities to help create sustainable systems and add value, building on our own experience at home,” Ayton added. “Our model of an independently-regulated water utility that is publicly owned is of great interest to many countries."

MWH said that it and Scottish Water would work within PWA's asset affairs directorate to generate and deploy the drainage asset management programme to "help enhance levels of drainage services provided to all residents and businesses throughout Qatar".

“It will manage the full operation and maintenance of all drainage assets including the waste water treatment and collection systems, treated sewage effluent systems, storm water and surface ground water systems," Ayton said.

Three Scottish Water staff has relocated to Qatar to help oversee delivery of the project. It is believed the total number of Scottish Water staff in Qatar could rise to six or seven during the project. – TradeArabia News Service