In numbers: 

UAE’s three main fresh water resources:

1) groundwater (4,052 million m3, 70%)

2) desalinated water (950 million m3, 24%)

3) treated wastewater (319 million m3, 6%) 

Where it goes currently:

forestry sector (landscaping) consumes at least around 709 million m3/yr

agricultural sector consumes around 1,489 million m3 per year.

The rest is for human consumption. 

Groundwater is used to irrigate 81.7% of forestry and 94.9% of agricultural crops

Water demand for agriculture has grown from 950 million m3 in 1990 to 3,320 million m3 in 2010. 

Population increased around 40-fold in 4 decades:

231,529 in 1970 to 9,346,129 in 2013

By 2030, the UAE population is expected to reach 12 million

Projected watering requirements needed to reach food security in 2030 will be at least 2,826 million m3 annually. 

One-third of the total water amount is used for landscaping purposes 

FOOD SECURITY:

Remaining life time expectancy for the available groundwater aquifers is estimated to be between 16 and 36 years.

2030: Could be the first year with no more supply from groundwater resources. 

HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SAVING WATER:

- Take showers instead of baths. A shower only uses 10 to 25 gallons of water, while a bathtub takes up to 70 gallons!

- Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

- Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.

- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.

- Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.

- Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.

- Install water-saving aerators on all your faucets. This can cut down water use by up to two-thirds.

- Check your taps and showerheads for leaks. One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day!

- If your toilet has a leak, you could be wasting about 200 gallons of water every day. That would be like flushing your toilet more than 50 times without using it.

- Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

- Make sure to turn off your watering hose after use. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.

- When buying a new washing machine, choose those that are more eco-friendly. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.

- Washing your bike or car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose saves a lot of water. A hose can waste 6 gallons per minute if you leave it running, but using a bucket and sponge only uses a few gallons!

- When adding a flower or shrub in your garden, choose plants that are less water-intensive and save up to 550 gallons each year.

 

SOURCES: http://wateruseitwisely.com, www.epa.gov, The Challenges of Water Scarcity and the Future of Food Security in the United Arab Emirates report