Abu Dhabi uses the treated effluent to irrigate public parks and city landscaping

A comprehensive study of water use in Abu Dhabi, which could inform decisions about how to best allocate resources, is to be completed by the end of the year, said an official.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) commissioned UAE University, in collaboration with the University of Leeds in Britain, to conduct the study of the emirate’s water resources and how best to use them.

Abu Dhabi, like the rest of the UAE, has few freshwater resources. It also has high per capita use of desalinated water, which is costly to produce and has several negative effects on the environment.

The study would approach the issue by managing demand, rather than focusing solely on expanding supply through the use of desalination, which had been the predominant approach, said Dr Mohammed Al Madfaei, the EAD’s executive director of integrated environmental policy and planning.

“The water budget will be looking at the three types of water – desalinated water, treated water and groundwater. So we are looking for the right mix and the right amounts to give to the different sectors for them to be sustaining their water usage,” he said. Read More