Demand For Water To Double By 2030 In UAE

Water conservation policies are being promoted in the naturally water poor nation of United Arab Emirates

Considering that the United Arab Emirates is located in harsh and arid desert, the fact that the average resident uses around 364 liters of water a day – way above the global average of 200 litres- is surprising. Natural groundwater is supplemented with desalinated water and treated water to boost supplies and provide a steady supply of clean water to residents (well, most of the time). However, a recent report which found that water demand is likely to double by 2030 in the UAE has got government authorities worried and they are now promoting the benefits of water conservation.

The UAE Environment Ministry has come up with a six-part plan to enhance water security and stem the rising tide of water consumption. “The value of water and the need to conserve it in the UAE cannot be underestimated because of its scarcity and lack of rainfall to replenish wells,” Mariam Al Shenasi at the Ministry of Environment and Water, told Gulf News. The new plan includes initiatives such as controlling supply, improving the efficiency of distribution, and strengthening federal water laws and policies.

Cutting The High Cost of Desalination

Currently, the United Arab Emirates uses 4.5 billion cubic metres of water a year. Over half of that comes from groundwater supplies, whilst 37% comes from the 70 desalination plants scattered across the country. As well as good eco-sense, cutting down the water consumption makes good economic sense as the annual production cost of desalinating water is estimated at around Dh11.8 billion or over US$3 billion.

The main culprits behind the high use of water include the agricultural sector which claims 34% of overall water usage, the domestic sector and industry which uses 32%, and less justifiable ‘landscaping’ and beautification projects which use 11%. Treated sewage water for irrigation meets around 8% of the water need and has helped save around 136 million cubic metres of desalinated water.

Can Nuclear Energy & Water Conservation Mix?

The UAE recently announced that they would be sticking by plans to build four nuclear reactors by 2017 to ensure they meet rising demands for electricity. The rising demand for energy can be attributed to inefficient energy subsidies which keep prices artificially low and also the energy-intensive process of water desalination. Indeed, a report by Carboun estimated that the emirate of Abu Dhabi uses more than half of its domestic energy use in desalination. This makes water conservation even more important as it makes little sense to keep supplying cheap energy if the UAE hasn’t got a handle on its water consumption.

Another related issue is that nuclear energy is known to be water intensive which means that the UAE could end up being trapped in a cycle of needing to produce extra energy to make the extra water which they need for nuclear energy. Consequently, the energy and water equation needs to be carefully balanced so that any hydrological gains aren’t written off by poor energy choices.

:: Gulf News

: Image via Danny McL/flickr.

For more on water issues in the UAE see:

Nuclear-Powered Water For UAE

Trouble In Paradise: Water Failure At Luxury Resort In Dubai

Feeding Abu Dhabi Water From The Air

Author: Arwa Aburawa

Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.

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