Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi's successful implementation of pilot projects in underground water storage for more than eight years can help neighbouring countries, according to Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd, the UAE Minister of Environment and Water.
The countries not having sufficient rainfall can exploit desalinated water to form strategic stocks through the injection of extra quantities of water into underground reservoirs, he said while inaugurating the 7th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (ISMAR7) on Sunday in the capital.
The underground storage has proved technically efficient in comparison with the health, economic and environmental implications of surface storage, Bin Fahad said.
The symposium organised by the Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Schlumberger Water Services is bringing together more than 300 delegates.
The five-day event being held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and Chairman of EAD, is anticipated to provide participants with new insights on expanding water resources and improving water quality.
In his inaugural speech the minister said water security and the creation of strategic stocks of water in case of emergency are a priority, particularly those countries that do not have sufficient quantities of rainfall to recharge aquifers and surface sources of freshwater.
Artificial injection technology contributes by leaving undisturbed large tracts of land and reduces the cost of storage, operation and maintenance, Bin Fahd said.
Scarcity: Action needed
Environment Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD) had warned that water resources in the Abu Dhabi emirate may face depletion in 50 years if no action is taken.
UAE residents have one of the highest per capita water consumption rates in the world at 550 litres per day.
The emirate's groundwater supply has been reduced by 18 per cent since 2003, according to EAD.
