The first drop of reclaimed water was produced at Sulaibiya on Thursday, 4th November 2004.

Once the commercial operation of the plant had commenced ahead of schedule on 1st December 2004. Al Kharafi Group began to operate and maintain the plant with the participation of United Utilities Company of the UK. Al Kharafi Group will continue to operate and maintain the plant until the expiry of the concession period.

Ionics Inc (now part of Suez) remains involved with the operation and maintenance of Sulaibiya, not only as a shareholder in UDC, but by having Italba, one of its subsidiaries, operate and maintain the ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis sections of the plant.