Recent research by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries shows that the UAE has a large number of water wells which could be put to better use to the benefit of many more people. According to the study, there are 46,700 wells - 40,200 of which are working and 6,500 of which are dry.

Abu Dhabi has 24,400 working wells and 5,100 dry, followed by Sharjah with 5,400 working wells and 651 dry. Ras Al Khaimah has 3,900 working wells and 199 dry, while Fujairah has 3,400 working and 252 dry.

Umm Al Quwain and Ajman have the fewest working wells with 550 each. Umm Al Quwain has 163 dry wells and Ajman has 44 dry wells. Dubai has 1,800 working wells and 55 dry.

The study suggested that more people, especially in the remote areas where the wells are located, need greater access to water. But this requires proper distribution in areas where the working wells are located.

Abu Dhabi has the highest number of man-made wells with 6,485 people having access to them.
In other emirates, man-made wells are few and poorly maintained, and the number of people benefiting from them is minimal in comparison with the number of people in remote areas in the Northern Emirates who need access to water.