Dr. Al-Hajri outlines vision for Water Museum to highlight Kuwait’s water evolution
Project will add a significant cultural and scientific landmark to Kuwait’s heritage landscape, bridging history, engineering, science, and sustainability.
The Kuwaiti Society for Earth Sciences has issued a comprehensive report chronicling the evolution of water in Kuwait, tracing its journey from ancient wells and traditional storage systems to modern desalination plants.
The report calls for the establishment of a national Water Museum to serve as a cultural, scientific and educational landmark preserving the country’s long-standing relationship with this vital resource.
Chairman of the Society, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajri, said Kuwait’s water history spans from early human settlement during the Ubaid civilization through successive Islamic eras, highlighting key historical sites such as the Kazma region, once known for its abundant wells.
He noted that in old Kuwait, groundwater wells were widely used within homes and mosques, with communities relying on limited freshwater resources and traditional methods of storage and transport.
Al-Hajri highlighted major milestones, including the discovery of the Hawally well in 1905, which provided fresh water that was transported and sold in Kuwait City, as well as Captain Muhammad Al-Yaqub’s 1909 initiative to import water from the Shatt Al-Arab using a specially equipped vessel.
He also referenced the establishment of the Kuwait Water Company in 1939, which operated a fleet of 45 ships dedicated to water transport.
He further pointed to the prevalence of manually dug wells across several residential areas, including Shamiya, Shuwaikh, Dasma, Kaifan, Khaldiya, Adailiya, Nuqra, Hawally, Bayan, Shaab, Rumaithiya, Salmiya, Bida’a, Mishref, Khaitan, Farwaniya, Omariya and Rabia.
Water Museum vision
Al-Hajri proposed that the Water Museum should provide an accessible scientific narrative on the origin of water on Earth and its role in sustaining life, while also reflecting the cultural significance of rain in desert societies.
He suggested the museum include interactive exhibits, rare documents, historical photographs, engineering models, and displays documenting Kuwait’s wells, cisterns, and traditional water transport systems. It would also highlight the evolution of Kuwait’s modern water infrastructure, including desalination technologies, groundwater management, and wastewater treatment and reuse.
He added that Kuwait’s iconic water towers should be featured as part of the country’s modern architectural heritage and national identity.
National educational landmark
Al-Hajri stressed that the proposed museum would go beyond historical display, serving as a national platform for education, awareness, and innovation, particularly for students and young people. It would promote water conservation as a strategic priority linked to national, food, and environmental security.
He concluded that the project would add a significant cultural and scientific landmark to Kuwait’s heritage landscape, bridging history, engineering, science, and sustainability.
