UAE Government adopts UAE Water Security Strategy 2036
- January 8, 2018
- Posted by: administrator
- Category: Environmental, Asia
The United Arab Emirates Government has adopted the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 at the first Cabinet session of the new year.
The Strategy, which was published in September 2017, aims to ensure the availability of water in sufficient quantities and safe quality in accordance with international standards during both normal and emergencies situations.
The strategy includes a list of measures for enhanced water supply including, alternative water sources, emergency water production and distribution, storage mechanisms and water networking across the UAE and a number of legislative items.
The overall objectives of the strategy are to reduce total demand for water resources by 21 percent, increase the water productivity index to USD 110 per cubic meter, reduce the water scarcity index by three degrees, increase the reuse of treated water to 95 percent and increase national water storage capacity up to two days.
The strategy focuses on three main programmes:
- Water Demand Management Programme
- Water Supply Management Programme
- Emergency Production and Distribution Programme.
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.
UAE aims to reduce average consumption per capita by half
The UAE is aiming to reduce average consumption per capita by half as well as focus on sustainable practices. 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 emergencies and enough to supply water for more than 45 days in extreme emergencies.
The strategy also includes the establishment of 6 connecting networks between water and electricity entities across the UAE. 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.
Once implemented, the Water Security Strategy 2036 will achieve savings of AED 74 billion and reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), associated with water desalination process, by 100 million metric tons.