MEDRC is a unique International Organization that works to build solutions to fresh water scarcity across borders and divisions. Established in 1996 it conducts research, training, development cooperation and transboundary water projects.

The MEDRC Headquarters is in Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, where it operates a state-of-the-art research facility including desalination plants, laboratories, lecture halls and administrative offices. MEDRC is a recognized regional center of excellence that boosts research on reverse osmosis (RO) membrane technologies, renewable energies-based desalination and the environmental impact concerns posed by the technology.

It aims specifically at conducting, facilitating, and promoting basic & applied research in the water desalination field. Since they were established they have led a multimillion-dollar program of support for cross-border water research projects across the Middle East. The organization aims to lead and support projects that have practical impact.

Current projects include working on desalination technologies to provide drinking water in the aftermath of a humanitarian crisis; solar desalination; energy recovery and small-scale renewable desalination devices. MEDRC host a custom-built water training center at their headquarters in Muscat. It is the only such facility in the region and includes training laboratories, seminar rooms, a solar array and a reverse osmosis desalination plant built especially for training and research purposes.

MEDRC’s training activities are among the most comprehensive in the Middle East. Their training program covers all areas of desalination, from small-scale plant operator training to the design of maga-plants. They operate large-scale year-long training programs such as ‘Tahlya’ which is training the next generation of Omani reverse osmosis desalination plant operators and supervisors. The training department also conducts consultancy in all aspects of desalination operation and design. To date more than 200 commercial training sessions covering all aspects of the water sector including waste water, solar desalination, water laboratory testing, plant design and costing, have been delivered to more than 700 students.

MEDRC also runs a large development assistance program primarily in Palestine and Jordan. They support more than fifty water research projects each year in Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan.