Modernisation puts strain on GCC water resources

The rapid modernisation of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the past three decades has put a heavy strain on water resources in this arid region of the Arabian peninsula.

Population growth, expanding agriculture, and increasing emphasis on industry and allied services require ever greater amounts of water, the availability of which is inversely proportional to the development of the region.

To sustain socio-economic progress and to meet their water requirements, the GCC states are taking action, but at a very high cost.

With fresh groundwater sources dwindling, the focus has shifted to the supplementary non-conventional sources, including desalination of sea water and treatment of recycled waste water.

According to figures provided by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the projected water demand in the GCC countries in 2025 will be 31,909 million cubic metres (mcm), or 9,240 mcm more than in 2000.

In the UAE itself, the demand for water is expected to grow to 3,200 mcm in 2025, whereas it was 2,180 mcm in 2000.

These figures keep in mind the population growth of the region, which is projected to reach 52.456 million by 2025 (UN Population Report) and the ensuing increase in per capita water consumption.

ESCWA estimates that Saudi Arabia will require 6,450 mcm, out of its total demand for 24,200 mcm, to meet the domestic water needs of its estimated 40.426 million people in 2025.

In the UAE, due to incentives and subsidies to the agricultural sector, 64.1 per cent or 2,050 mcm out of a total 3,200 mcm will be required by 2025 for farming. In 2000, the figure for the UAE was 1,400 mcm.