UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGY 2010 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGY 2010 H.H. SHEIKH KHALIFA BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PRIME MINISTER - RULER OF DUBAI LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER H.E. Dr Rashid Ahmad bin Fahad Minister of Environment and Water Dr Mohamed Mustafa Al Mulla Director of Water Resources Department Eng Salim Akram Director of Dams Department Dr Abdelazim Ebraheem Water Resources Evaluation Consultant INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR BIOSALINE AGRICULTURE Dr Shawki Barghouti Director General Dr Faisal Taha Director Technical Programs Dr Khalil Ammar Water Resources Management Scientist Dr Rachael McDonnell Visiting Scientist – Water Policy and Governance Dr Nurul Akhand Irrigation Management Scientist INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS Dr George Keith Pitman International Consultant, UK Dr Stefano Burchi International Consultant, Italy Dr David Johnstone International Consultant, UK Dr Maher Abu Madi Research Coordinator, Birzeit University, Palestine Dr Slim Zekri Lecturer, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Dr Mohamed Majdalawi Lecturer, Jerash University, Jordan Eng Aisha Abdooli Ajman Sewerage Private Company Limited, UAE Mr Ikaram Ulah Independent Consultant, UK EDITORS Dr George Keith Pitman, Dr Rachael McDonnell, Dr Khalil Ammar, Mrs Carla Mellor, Dr Mohamed Mustafa Al Mulla and Dr Abdelazim Ebraheem. i Water Conservation Strategy United Arab Emirates CONTENTS PREFACE . ix INTRODUCTION . x EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . xii Background. xii Objectives . xii Water Resources . xii Water Use . xiii Water Governance. xiv Possibilities for Future Water Management . xiv Key initiatives . xv 1. RATIONALE FOR THE STRATEGY. 2 Responsibility for water is spread widely. 2 Natural Water Resources . 2 Non-conventional Water Resources . 3 Federal Authority has been strengthened . 4 Strategic Objectives . 4 2. WATER RESOURCES AND WATER USE. 6 Water Resources . 6 Water Use . 7 Growth of water demand . 7 Present Demand-Supply Balance . 9 Future Demand-Supply Balance . 9 Future Water Demand . 10 Future Water Supplies . 10 3. DESALINATED WATER . 12 Desalination Infrastructure . 12 Cost of Desalinated Water. 14 Future Demand for Desalinated Water . 14 Demand forecasts need improvement. 16 Environmental Costs of Desalination are Large . 16 Brine Production and the Environment . 16 Desalinated Water Production, Energy Use and the Atmosphere . 19 Recent Developments . 20 4. RECLAIMED WATER . 22 Overview . 22 Future Availability. 22 Costs of Reclaimed Water . 26 Future Investment in Reclaimed Water . 27 Demand for Reclaimed Water . 27 Environmental and Safety Concerns . 29 Wastewater and Sludge Disposal . 29 Use of Reclaimed Water . 29 Health risks . 29 Public Awareness and Education is Necessary . 30 Capacity-building is needed. 30 iii United Arab Emirates Water Conservation Strategy 5. GROUNDWATER . ..