Abu Dhabi is ready to announce a new unified water management strategy aimed at improving water production, delivery and consumption processes. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy, revealed the strategy during the World Utilities Congress 2024, which kicked off on September 16 in Abu Dhabi.
The strategy will address all stages of water management, from production to consumption, with a focus on optimizing water use, monitoring water loss and increasing value at every stage. It will emphasize the rationalization of water consumption, ensuring optimal usage for sectors across the emirate. The strategy also aims to introduce new policies and regulations to enhance sustainability within the water and electricity sectors, while reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact.
Eng. Awaidha emphasized that this new approach aligns with the UAE’s climate neutrality goals and broader sustainable development objectives, contributing to economic growth. The Department of Energy is working to ensure these improvements benefit the public by delivering high-quality services at lower prices.
Abu Dhabi has experienced steady growth in water and electricity demand over the past year. Between 2022 and 2023, peak electricity demand in the emirate increased by 7 percent, while peak water demand grew by 2.5 percent. The emirate currently manages 598,537 electricity accounts and 468,567 water accounts.
The main consumers of water in Abu Dhabi are the agriculture and housing sectors, with agriculture taking the largest share. This is followed by the residential, municipal, government, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Groundwater accounts for 56 percent of Abu Dhabi’s total water supply, making it the largest source. Desalinated water contributes 33 percent, while recycled water and rainwater make up the remainder of the supply.
The new strategy is expected to help Abu Dhabi tackle these rising demands while ensuring long-term sustainability in its water management practices.