The Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) inaugurated today a conference on the use of treated waste water in the Arab world under the theme “Current Status and Future Prospective.” The event, which was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance, was taking place at Meydan Hotel in Dubai until January 16.
In his speech, H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, welcomed all participants from the Arab states and other countries to the conference. Some of the attendees were representatives from the local agricultural sector and wastewater treatment facilities, in addition to delegates from various local, regional and international organizations.
H.E. Bin Fahad noted that water resources in the Arab World are considered the lowest compared with other regions. The fresh water capita share per person in the Arab states has been decreasing in the past five decades from 3,500 cubic meters in 1960 to around 1,000 cubic meters nowadays. The current figure, which is way below the global level of 6,000 cubic meters, shows that the Arab region is suffering from water shortage.
In the UAE, rapid population growth and urbanization are putting a strain on water resources. The country’s main source of fresh water is groundwater which is being used up at an alarming rate due to high demand. Its annual renewal rate is also low at 3 per cent of the total water production. Given these challenges, the country must initiate intensified efforts to balance supply and demand and promote the use of treated water, which is considered a renewable water resource. This is amidst the increasing population that consumes a total quantity of 600 million cubic meters per year. Treated water can be used to irrigate cosmetic crops, green spaces, and forestry. It can also be utilized for industrial goods sector, which consumes high fresh water resources. The use of treated water will lead to the preservation of fresh water resources for future generations.
H.E. Bin Fahad pointed out that in 2010 the ministry developed a strategy to preserve water resources in the country. The strategy pushes for the development of a national agricultural policy to conserve water, a move that would add value to the economy. The strategy also aims to improve the country’s wastewater management and to encourage the use of treated water in various sectors. In addition, it aims to launch awareness campaigns to allay public fear of using treated water. Through the strategy, the ministry is expecting to see a significant increase in the use of treated water especially in the agricultural sector and other industries in the coming next years.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Dr. Asmahan Al Wafi, Director General of the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, said the conference also addresses the pressing issue of lack of alternative water resources being faced by the UAE and the rest of the Arab World. The region has been looking for alternative water resources for irrigation, while maintaining a balance between food and water security. Currently, 25 per cent of the population is already suffering from insufficient water supply. The number is expected to reach 40 per cent by 2025 as indicated by global studies.
Despite the global challenge, many people still continue to waste water. The World Economic Forum has considered water shortage as one of the main global potential risks. Furthermore, the impact of water scarcity risk is so high that it ranked second in terms of global importance in 2012 and 2013. It also occupied fourth place globally in terms of probability of occurrence.
On the first day of the conference, several Arab ministers and representatives from international organizations attended a policy forum on wastewater treatment in the 21st century. The forum was followed by a plenary session which tackled resources and treated water techniques. Four intensive scientific sessions addressing the resources and uses of treated water as well as its social, economic and environmental impacts will be held on the second and third day of the conference. The last day will be capped off with a workshop on future trends, partnerships and treated water policies.