Water is one of those life sustaining elements that are often taken for granted. Taking a major part of the Earth surface and required for a normal functioning of not only human body, but basically every single living creature or plant, water is the substance without which the mere existence of humankind would be impossible.
More to the point, the ratio of actual drinking water to sea water makes approximately 0.0025; ion other words, only 2.55 of water can be defined as fresh. Therefore, it is imperative that the use of fresh water should be reasonable.
However, in recent past, the residents of the UAE used to consume water rather thoughtlessly. By integrating technology into water consumption process and raising awareness amount the UAE citizens, one may possibly bring water consumption rates down and make the given process more economical.
Therefore, the problem is obvious – the amounts of fresh water used by the UAE citizens have increased greatly over the past few years. The given phenomenon can be attributed to the sharp increase in the number of people inhabiting the state; indeed, according to the results of the census conducted in the 2013, the UAE population has grown by 1% compared to the previous decade, and is expected to reach 10.6 million in 2030.
Therefore, the rtes of water consumption are most likely to grow, which in the current situation of the lack of fresh water poses a considerable problem. Obviously, with the increase of the number of the UAE citizens, the amount of fresh water consumed is also going to grow, which will definitely lead to a major problem.
Apparently, a reconsideration of the water supply strategy, as well as the means to spread awareness on reasonable water consumption among the residents of the UAE must be defined as soon as possible; otherwise, in the nearest future, the problem of the lack of water in the state will reach drastic proportions. To evaluate the problem, one will have to consider the changes in the UAE population and analyze the assumptions for the future growth:
Table 1. Population and GDP in UAE: 1990–2030 (Supposition) (Countrylicious).
According to the data provided by Countrylicious, the UAE gross domestic product, as well as its population number, is growing to increase rapidly.
The fact that by 2030, the population of the state is going to be 12% more than it is now is truly stunning. There is every reason to suggest that the growth in population is going to have earth-shattering consequences on the UAE water supply. However, a rapid economic growth may possibly even it out into a relatively stable territory, allowing for the choice of rather expensive yet efficient technologies for water supply.
Among the factors that make the problem even more complicated, the environmental ones should be noted. First and foremost, the location of the UAE is very unfavorable for water supply; being situated in the middle of a desert, the state is clearly in a permanent threat of water shortage. The large amount of farms and green areas, though admittedly contributing to the development of the state’s agriculture and, therefore, promoting economic growth, still demand that water should be supplied in large quantities on a regular basis.
Therefore, the fact that the number of farms and green areas is going to increase means that water resources will need replenishing in the nearest future, which will be quite problematic in the light of the aforementioned water shortage. The table below shows in a very graphic manner the increase in the number of farms and green areas across the UAE, making it obvious that water is going to be demanded soon:
Table 2. Number of farms and green areas in the UAE: 2013 (Water Table Dipping at Alarming Rate).
As the table shows, Abu Dhabi has the greatest amount of farms, while green areas take the greatest part of Umm Al Quwain. Therefore, it will be a good idea to start the reconsideration of the UAE agricultural and environmental policy with the redesign of the aforementioned regions.
Seeing how both farms and green areas demand large quantities of water, it will be logical to cut the number of farms and green areas in the corresponding regions. While the given solution might have tangible negative effects on the state of the given emirates’ environment, it will still help resolve a much more global problem.
It would be wrong to claim, though, that the UAE authorities do nothing to address the given problem; according to the existing data, there have been a number of endeavors to solve the problem of water scarcity. To start with, the policy regarding the use of sea water seems rather promising. Desalinated to be later on turned into drinking water or, at the very least, the water that can be supplied to the UAE residential communities, sea water does seem a valuable resource for the UAE authorities to consider.
However, as researches and recent experiments show, the desalination process is quite lengthy, not efficient enough and, to make it even less appealing, outrageously expensive. Therefore, desalination seems to be the final resort of the UAE authorities to consider when shaping their water supply policy. In addition, seawater can still be used for growing crops, as researches have shown, which means that fresh water can be used solely for the needs of the population.
Another suggestion that is worth taking under consideration concerns installing water meters in people’s houses. Rather radical, this method is still very efficient, seeing how it will help measure the amounts of water used by the population and, more importantly, coordinate the use of water, i.e., cut the supplies if the consumption rates are beyond acceptable.
Despite the fact that at present, fresh water consumption in the UAE is escalating, with the introduction of a new system of water supply, these rates can be brought down efficiently. In addition, it is highly advisable that the awareness regarding the decrease in the amount of drinking water all over the world due to its misuse should be raised among the residents of the UAE.
Once people are informed on the perils that excessive and thoughtless water consumption leads to, they are bound to start using water more carefully. The need to incorporate technological advances into designing the new system of water supply should also be noted as a necessary step towards bringing of water consumption rates in the UAE down a few notches.
Works Cited
Countrylicious. United Arab Emirates Population Evolution and Future Prospects. n. d. Web.
Water Table Dipping at Alarming Rate. n. d. Web.