DFC Water has completed a R9,5-million valve supply order for Qatar's public works authority, Ashghal, shipping a second batch of 30 stainless steel Vent-O-Mat sewage air release and vacuum valves to the Doha North sewage treatment and pumping works. The valves are identical to an initial batch of 30 valves shipped in late 2010. All 60 Vent-O-Mats are being installed for pipeline protection.

The Doha North sewage treatment and pumping works is the largest greenfield wastewater treatment, water re-use and sludge treatment project in Qatar. Designed to treat up to 439 000 m³ of wastewater/day, the works will receive sludge from treatment plants across northern Qatar, meeting the demand of West Bay, Al Dafna, Al Khorayat and Umm Salal for the next 30 years and benefiting an estimated 800 000 people. Treated water from the plant will be used for industrial purposes, while by products will be used as organic fertilisers and as a supplementary green source of energy.

The Vent-O-Mat valves for the Doha North project come from a range generally recognised to be without equal in terms of useful life and the capability to protect pipelines against damage caused by surge, air build-up and vacuum. The valves eliminate surge and water hammer as a standard, automatic valve function. They also deliver automatic protection during filling of a pipeline, when most surge devices are not operational.

The Vent-O-Mats for Doha North are being installed in the main pump station of the regional collection point from which sewage will be pumped through a 20 km pipeline to the treatment plant. DFC Water is negotiating further contracts in the Gulf region.