The Future of Water: Desalination, Sustainability, and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
With water scarcity becoming an ever-growing challenge across the globe, many countries are turning to desalination, wastewater treatment, and sustainable water management as solutions. But how viable are these technologies? Can desalination truly provide affordable, large-scale drinking water? And how does Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plan factor into the future of water innovation?
In this episode of Liquid Assets, we sit down with Ramon Rubio, founder of The WaterMBA, who has spent over a decade in the water sector, specializing in desalination, wastewater treatment, and infrastructure development. Ramon shares his insights on the global water crisis, the economics behind desalination, and the future of water sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa.
Having worked extensively in Saudi Arabia, Ramon also provides an inside look at the country’s massive investment in water infrastructure, its push toward renewable energy, and how sustainability is shaping the future of water access across the region. With Vision 2030 driving innovation in smart cities, desalination plants, and water reuse projects, Saudi Arabia is setting a global precedent for water management. But are these projects truly sustainable?
We also explore how Ramon’s personal journey in engineering led him to create The Water MBA, a program dedicated to educating water professionals on project management, business development, and technical expertise.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
- Why desalination is a crucial but controversial solution to water scarcity
- The real cost of desalination and whether it can scale affordably
- How Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is revolutionizing water management
- The challenges of implementing large-scale water infrastructure projects
- What makes sustainable water solutions actually sustainable?
- Ramon’s journey from engineer to water industry leader and why education is key to fixing global water issues
Listen On:
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📺 Watch the Interview
Meet Ramon Rubio
A civil engineer by training, Ramon Rubio has dedicated his career to solving some of the world’s most pressing water challenges. After starting in Spain’s water sector, he quickly transitioned to international projects, working in Saudi Arabia and North Africa on large-scale desalination and wastewater treatment plants.
With over 12 years of experience, Ramon has been involved in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects, helping governments and municipalities develop sustainable water solutions. His expertise spans project development, infrastructure financing, and business strategy—all of which led him to launch The Water MBA, an online education platform designed to train professionals in the business and management side of water technology.
Through his work, Ramon is committed to ensuring that water is not just available—but managed wisely for the future.
The Book, Movie, or Show
📖 “Skin in the Game” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Ramon recommends this book for its insights on risk-taking and accountability, key principles in both business and water infrastructure projects. He emphasizes that understanding who has skin in the game—and who doesn’t—can drastically impact decision-making in large-scale ventures.
📖 Contains affiliate Amazon links.
Transcript
[00:00:00] - Introduction
Ravi Kurani:
Welcome to Liquid Assets! This is a podcast where we explore the intersection of water, business, policy, and innovation. I’m your host, Ravi Kurani, and today I have a fascinating guest joining us: Ramon Rubio, an expert in desalination, wastewater treatment, and water infrastructure development.
Ramon has been in the industry for over a decade, working across Saudi Arabia, North Africa, and Europe on large-scale desalination projects. He’s also the founder of The Water MBA, an education platform that helps professionals navigate the business side of the water industry.
Ramon, welcome to the show!
[00:02:15] - Ramon’s Background & Journey into Water
Ravi Kurani:
So, Ramon, let’s start with your background. What got you into the water industry, and what’s your journey been like?
Ramon Rubio:
Thanks, Ravi! I actually started out in civil engineering. My early career was focused on traditional construction projects, but I quickly got drawn into water infrastructure.
I began working on wastewater treatment plants in Spain, and from there, I transitioned into desalination projects. The demand for clean water was growing, and desalination was becoming a key solution, particularly in places like the Middle East and North Africa.
Eventually, I moved to Saudi Arabia, where I worked on some of the largest desalination plants in the world.
[00:06:45] - Why Desalination?
Ravi Kurani:
Desalination is often talked about as a silver bullet for water scarcity. But it’s not without challenges, right?
Ramon Rubio:
Absolutely. Desalination is an incredible technology, but it has three main challenges:
- Energy Consumption – Desalination plants require a lot of energy, making them expensive to operate.
- Environmental Impact – The process produces brine waste, which, if not properly managed, can harm marine ecosystems.
- Economic Viability – The cost per liter is still higher than traditional water sources.
That said, advances in membrane technology, renewable energy integration, and brine management are making desalination more sustainable and cost-effective.
[00:12:30] - Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 & Water Innovation
Ravi Kurani:
You’ve worked extensively in Saudi Arabia, and the country has some of the most ambitious water projects in the world. How does Vision 2030 fit into this?
Ramon Rubio:
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is transforming the country’s approach to water. They’re investing billions into:
- New desalination plants powered by solar and wind energy.
- Water reuse projects to recycle wastewater efficiently.
- Smart cities like NEOM that use AI-driven water management.
The goal is water self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on groundwater and unsustainable imports.
[00:18:50] - Can Desalination Be Affordable?
Ravi Kurani:
One of the biggest concerns about desalination is cost. Can it truly become affordable at scale?
Ramon Rubio:
Yes, but it requires the right technology and financial models. Some key trends:
- Energy Efficiency – New reverse osmosis (RO) membranes reduce energy use.
- Renewables Integration – Solar-powered desalination plants cut operational costs.
- PPP Models – Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are making desalination more financially viable.
In fact, some of the latest plants in Saudi Arabia are producing water at less than $0.50 per cubic meter, which is competitive with traditional sources.
[00:25:30] - The Business Side of Water & The Water MBA
Ravi Kurani:
You founded The Water MBA, which helps professionals understand the business side of water. What inspired you to start it?
Ramon Rubio:
Water is not just a technical industry—it’s also a business. Many engineers and scientists lack business acumen, which can hold back innovation.
With The Water MBA, I teach:
- Project Financing – How water projects get funded.
- Risk Management – How to navigate contracts and pricing models.
- Business Development – How to scale water solutions effectively.
My goal is to bridge the gap between engineering and business, helping professionals make smarter decisions in the water sector.
[00:32:00] - Future of Water Sustainability
Ravi Kurani:
Looking ahead, what’s next for sustainable water management?
Ramon Rubio:
A few key trends:
- Water Reuse & Recycling – Turning wastewater into drinking-quality water.
- Smart Water Networks – AI and IoT for leak detection & efficiency.
- Decentralized Water Systems – Small-scale water solutions for off-grid communities.
If we invest in these technologies, we can solve many of our global water challenges.
[00:40:00] - Book, Movie, or Show That Had an Impact
Ravi Kurani:
I always ask my guests this—what’s a book, movie, or show that has had a big impact on you?
Ramon Rubio:
📖 "Skin in the Game" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb – This book taught me that decision-makers should bear the consequences of their choices, which is critical in the water industry.
📖 "One Up on Wall Street" by Peter Lynch – Helped me understand long-term thinking and investing, which applies to infrastructure development as well.
[00:45:00] - Final Thoughts & Where to Connect
Ravi Kurani:
Ramon, this has been an incredible discussion. Where can people find more about you and The Water MBA?
Ramon Rubio:
Thanks, Ravi! You can find me at TheWaterMBA.com or on LinkedIn (@RamonRubio).
💡 Key Takeaways
✔️ Desalination is becoming more affordable thanks to renewables and efficiency improvements.
✔️ Saudi Arabia is leading water innovation with Vision 2030’s ambitious projects.
✔️ Water professionals need business knowledge to drive real change in the industry.
✔️ Sustainable water management requires new models, including recycling, smart networks, and decentralized solutions.