Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Energy unveiled on Wednesday the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 to ensure sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions.
The new strategy is in keeping with local regulations, standards of the World Health Organisation, and the UAE’s vision to achieve prosperity and sustainability.
The announcement was made at the UAE Annual Government meetings taking place in Abu Dhabi.
The overall objectives of the strategy are to reduce the total demand for water resources by 21 per cent, increase water productivity index to $110 per cubic metre, reduce water scarcity index by three degrees, increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent, and increase national water storage capacity up to two days.
Suhail Mohammad Faraj Al Mazroui, Minister of Energy, said: “The UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 came as a result of consolidated efforts between federal and local water authorities to explore and define a vision for the water sector in the UAE and to ensure adaptability to future demands on water resources.
“The strategy aims to ensure sustainable water supplies in various circumstances to meet the needs of the community and the economic prosperity of the UAE. ”
Strategy’s targets
Al Mazroui pointed out that the comprehensive, long-term strategy covers all components of the water supply chain throughout a time frame of 20 years. It focuses on three main programmes: Water Demand Management, Water Supply Management and Emergency Production and Distribution.
The strategy also tackles policy development, legislation, water conservation awareness campaigns, use of advanced technologies, innovation, and building national capabilities in the field of water security.
“The Water Security Strategy 2036 seeks to reduce average consumption per capita by half as well as focus on sustainable practices. For instance, one of its key aims is increasing the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent,” Al Mazroui said.
The strategy seeks to develop a storage capacity for the water supply system that lasts for two days under normal conditions, which would be equivalent to a capacity of 16 days in emergency situations, and enough to supply water for more than 45 days in extreme emergencies.
Water networks will be able to provide 91 litres of water per person per day in cases of emergency, or 30 litres per person per day in cases of extreme emergencies.
The strategy also includes the establishment of six connecting networks between water and electricity entities across the UAE. Once implemented, the Water Security Strategy 2036 will achieve savings of Dh74 billion and reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), associated with water desalination process, by 100 million metric tonnes.
