The Role of Desalinated Water in Integrated Water Resource Management in Abu Dhabi Emirate-UAE

Abstract

Water resources components in Abu Dhabi encompass the conventional sources (rain, springs, ponds and groundwater), and unconventional sources (desalinated water and reclaimed wastewater). The latter represent the most important resources for the time being, since ground water is brackish or salty and the annual rainfall is very low in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Thus conventional water resources are considered under sever depletion and exceeded their natural recharging capacity by 24 times. Per capita water consumption is considerably high, since the average daily domestic consumption in Abu Dhabi Emirate is estimated as 350 liters per person but it is intended to be slashed by 200 liters per day in the next few years, as proposed by the Environmental Authority. This should be accompanied by intensive awareness program. This article is aiming at discussing water resources components in Abu Dhabi and their Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Plan

Keywords

• Desalinated water, Abu Dhabi Emirate

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