14 Initiatives for Abu Dhabi Water Resources Integrated Management Plan

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is 100% dependent on desalination. From the source

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has identified 14 initiatives within the Emirate's Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, and divided the plan into several axes, within three main water resources, including groundwater, desalinated water, in addition to recycled water, to be implemented in several stages, in cooperation with relevant partners, to be completed within 10 years.

The Authority explained that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi currently relies on desalination for 100% of its drinking water needs, as the use of recycled water is increasing, but it is still an underutilized resource, and the rate of groundwater extraction is rising at a rate that exceeds natural recharge rates, which leads to water depletion and increased salinity.

The Authority pointed to the importance of developing sustainable management practices for water resources, which is one of the most important natural resources, in light of the rapid social and economic prosperity in the emirate, so an integrated plan for water resources management has been developed, which includes governance and technical solutions aimed at improving water resources management, pointing out that this plan consists of several axes that have been planned by the Authority and the responsible authorities to secure and sustain water, provided that it is implemented in cooperation with different parties, and in several stages. And to complete its implementation within 10 years, as the plan includes three main water resources, and the percentage of each category of them is estimated to consume 61% of groundwater, 30% of desalinated water, and 9% of recycled water.

The initiatives of the Recycled Water Master Plan include the development of comprehensive strategies, the development of a more robust, dynamic and flexible master plan, equipped with appropriate technology for recycled water, the smart expansion of recycled water networks, by ensuring alignment at the planning level between the priorities of the use of recycled water, the planning of the expansion of the infrastructure network, and the expansion of recycled water for new special developments using recycled water to irrigate green spaces in both public parks and residential parks, as well as for external uses. other.

Initiatives include the application of performance-based contracts, the operation and maintenance of recycled water networks, the management of irrigation in the public domain, and a zero wastewater treatment plant to enhance the sustainability of wastewater treatment and the production of recycled water.