Exploring ways to conserve water

Abu Dhabi: A waste water management plan will start next year in cooperation with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture to help the emirate overcome the stress on its water resources.

Majid Al Mansouri, the Secretary General of EAD, said the strategic goal in Water Resources Management is to develop and implement a plan to help "manage the overall water resources of Abu Dhabi in a sustainable, economically viable and environmentally sound way that will allow the long-term socio-economic development of Abu Dhabi".

Key areas in water management would be identified and the action plan would be drawn based on these areas. The master plan is expected to be complete in nine months. Improvements to existing laws and regulations related to water management would be part of the plan along with appropriate revisions.

UAE residents are currently amongst the highest per capita water users in the world consuming on an average 550 litres of water per day. Over five years, the authorities aim to bring this number down to 350 litres per capita per day.

"We aim to develop a clear strategic plan for the management and sustainable development of the water sector in Abu Dhabi, including proper utilisation of water resources," Al Mansouri said.

Policy

The water policy in the emirate till now has been largely based on supply, rather than demand management, and now relies on large, expensive desalination plants to supply drinking water.

As part of the master plan, a policy would be developed for investment in the water sector based on public and private intervention and integrated principles of supply-demand management for the economical sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism and municipal uses.

The plan would also deal with improvement of water resources and water quality through implementation of dynamic and integrated programmes for agriculture, soil, environment, industry and municipal uses.

Saying that collective action is required to maximise the utilisation of water resources and help conserve it, Al Masouri said public and private organisations in the water sector and other stakeholders will be considered in the plan.

He said "the plan would include reviewing and improving laws and regulations pertinent to investment of water resources and their utilisation, with emphasis on public health and environment."