If ever there was any doubt that the world’s water supply is becoming critical, the latest stark report from the World Resources Institute (WRI) makes for alarming reading — enough to hopefully shake off any lingering complacency over the need for action.
According to WRI researchers, 13 Middle Eastern countries plus the Palestinian Territories are projected to face extremely high water stress in 25 years’ time. Even more alarmingly, eight of these nations fall in the global Top 10: Bahrain, Kuwait, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Israel.
As the least water-secure area in the world, declining natural sources will put even more pressure on nations to find new water supplies — and that will likely add to political tensions that currently exist. While most of the drinking water used in the UAE is drawn from either the Arabian Gulf or Arabian Sea and desalinated, there is a cost in terms of energy used and greenhouse gases emitted that result in a negative environmental imbalance.
While the report does highlight the shortages, it should also be viewed as an opportunity for governments and officials responsible for water supplies and environmental controls to redouble their efforts in making sure that when water is produced, it does not go waste. Does it make sense that water used in a tap or wash basin is then lost down the sewers? Clearly, there are lessons to be learnt when it comes to doing more with so-called “grey water”. This can become a resource that should be used for irrigation purposes. And those who plan, build and run desalination plants need to ensure that the latest and most effective engineering techniques are utilised in the most efficient manner to ensure optimum utilisation of the water produced, without the brine extract causing undue harm on the environment.
But it is not just the engineers, officials or governments that have a role to play here. The WRI report should also be a clarion call to everyone who has a part to play when it comes to managing water resources. Turn it off, flush less and don’t waste it.
