Sustainability of Water Supplying in Abu Dhabi - Case Study Example

Sustainability of Water Supplying in Abu Dhabi (UAE) Student Name Course Institution Date Sustainability of Water Supplying in Abu Dhabi (UAE) Introduction Water supply in Abu Dhabi is currently done using a metered system that supplies water to the people for duration of 6 hours. During this time, water is fetched and stored by the people in tanks then they wait for the next day. There has been a growing need for water across various sectors in the UAE (Pressley and Bahr, 2009). These sectors include agriculture, tourism, the public realm as well as the residential areas. Based on this, there is need to explore the possibility of a continuous supply of water in Abu Dhabi. Continuous supply of water implies water supply for 24 hours. This has its own ramifications. For instance, the demand of water due to this system of supply could change. In addition, there are changes in the price of water and this too, affects the demand of water because some people may not be comfortable paying a higher price, in the event that the price goes up. Owing to this, the sustainability of water supply in Abu Dhabi should be investigated. This paper presents a proposal on how sustainable the water supply in Abu Dhabi can be. Background Information With its location at the South Eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, the population of the UAE has been growing since 1995. In a report by Mulla (2011), it was stated that the UAE population increased by 75 % between 1995 and 2005. By 2009, the population had grown to 5.06 million, a growth that is associated with an increased number of non-national s going to the country for temporary job assignments. Increased demand of water from agriculture due to the need to irrigate land for farming has increased the demand for water from the resources. Water resources in UAE include both conventional and non-conventional sources. Mulla (2011) reported a scarcity of water in the UAE, claiming that the total number of renewable resources of fresh water was less than 150 MCM per year. On the other hand, the demand for fresh water in the UAE was stated to be 4.5 BCM in 2009 (Mulla, 2011, pp. 12). With this demand, the supply of water came from three sources that include groundwater, supplying about 51% of the water, desalinated water making about 40% of the supply and treated wastewater making the remaining 9% and mainly used for irrigation and industrial use. Research by Passim et al (2010) emphasized on the need by the government to ensure adequate supply of water as a moral and economic responsibility. This was owed to the importance of water as a fundamental need for the development of the country. They also emphasized the scarcity of freshwater. In their study, Passim et al stated that it is the description of the government on water scarcity issues that provides guidance on how it can solve the problems. By assessing the water balance of a region, the government only describes the supply of water in the region and this is done poorly. The demand of water in the region is not obtained by such a description. In addition, there is no highlight on the interaction that exists between water demand and water supply in the region. The research by Qassimi et al (2010) justified the need by countries in Arid Middle Eastern areas to pursue water supply strategies. However, there has been a high focus on water supply and solutions to supply of water and this has created a failure in disaggregating the interaction that exists between water supply and water demand. To better obtain a solution to the problems of water scarcity, there is need to disaggregate the interaction between water supply and water demand. While this is a daunting task, it is the best way to come up with strategies that will solve the problem of water scarcity. A water demand forecast done in 2010 by Qassimi et al foresaw an acute shortage of water to be experienced in 2012. This was attributed to increased demand of water due to the tremendous increase in UAE’s economic activities and the increased human development. It is also the interaction of this explosive growth with supply of water that was stated to be a hindrance to future development of the UAE. The unique location of Abu Dhabi in the Middle East places it as the most important centre of economy. Therefore, water scarcity represents an opportunity to the Emirate as well as a bulwark. It presents the people of UAE and the government an occasion to display to the country and to the rest of the region a model for sustainable development. The research by Qassimi et al (2010) shows the importance of investigating the interaction between demand and supply of water in developing strategies that will eliminate water scarcity. This is done with a view to pursuing sustainable development of the country, as water is deemed a key factor in the growth of the economy. Research was done by Rizk and Alsharhan (2003) on the water resources in the UAE. In their study, the uneven distribution of fresh water resources on the surface of the earth was noted. UAE was noted to suffer from low rainfall and the climate in the region amounted to high rates of evaporation. Due to scarcity of water, management of these water resources was stated to be a critical national challenge. The use of available resources of water was stated to be poor (Rizk and Alsharhan, 2003). This called for the need to improve on present management of water and its resources so as to enhance sustainability of water. Water demand has ever been growing due to increased demand of water from agriculture and from increasing number of people. This was the reason for the need to have better management of water resources so as to use the limited resources effectively. Ultimately, effective utilization of water resources leads to sustainability of water resources (Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, 2010). Research was also done by Al-Mansouri et al (2009) on the challenge posed by lack of renewable resources of fresh water. This challenge was majorly posed to water supplies management and sustainable development of the country. While the supply of fresh water has been met by some resources such as ground water; there has been an urgent need to create a balance between water supply and water demand. This was stated to be important because the per capita fresh water consumption in the UAE is one of the highest in the world. While this has grown to be among the highest in the world, the per capita share of freshwater in the Emirate has dropped significantly, a fact that is attributed to the growing population and the growing need for water by various sectors. In addition, a forecast of the demand has been stated to increase by the year 2030. Al-Mansouri et al (2009) stated that by that time, the demand for water will be about 123%. While demand of water will be increasing, the supply of water has to match up to this demand. An imbalance between these two factors shall set the country in an unsustainable position where attaining growth shall be hindered by lack of sufficient water supply. Research on the challenges faced by UAE in managing its water resources was done by Dawood (2008). Lack of renewable resources of water was stated to be a critical deterrent to sustainable development of the country. In addition, to this, the pressure on available water resources was stated to be growing. This was said to be a result of increased standards of living, growing population and increased demand for various freshwater needs in the Emirate. Meeting the demands for most of these needs was said to be a struggle that will keep growing. This staked a claim on what was stated by Qassimi et al (2010), the need to plan properly on the available resources and to manage them effectively. This would enable the country keep abreast with the growing needs of water and maintain the economic boom as well as the current development. The main challenge for UAE was then stated to be the need to provide portable water that shall suit the various needs. From the research, the demand of water has no doubt been on the higher side. While there has been some supply of water, it remains to be stated that water supply has to be done with a view to attaining a balance between the demands and ensuring sustainability of water in the Emirate. Another challenge that has been faced by the country is continual misuse of water, which is either used unwisely or wasted and polluted. In a situation where there is insufficient water in a place where water is needed, the only solution to ensuring the water is availed at the right place and right time is through effective management. This can also be done through water conservation and efficient utilization of the limited resources. This was the reason for setting up an independent authority that manages the water. This move was initiated by the government of Abu Dhabi. However, this arrangement is still not satisfactory to ascertain effective management of water. This is because it leads to lack of collaboration and coordination between some bodies. It also leads to effort duplication and in some cases; assignments are not assigned to people who are concerned. The problem of wasted funds cannot be overlooked under such an arrangement. More problems have been said to lie in lack of accountability in cases where some organizations do not comply with the principles that call for sustainable and rational use of water resources (Dawood, 2008). Various other research works have been done on how to tackle the issue of water scarcity in Abu Dhabi. These have been done with a view to ensuring there is sufficient water supply in the country, as well as having a water supply that can sustain the country. From the research, various proposals have been laid, al targeting effective management of limited water resources. While some research works have focused on the supply of water only, some have focused on the need to create a balance between supply of water and demand. One thing is certain: the demand of water is on the increment. Therefore, effective management of water resources is a critical factor in ensuring this demand is met as and when it is required. Additionally, the challenge of fresh water resources being non-renewable is one that the country shall face for years to come. The studies that have been done provide room for investigation on how effective management of water resources can be done. From the research, the specific ways of conducting effective management of water resources have not been stated. The conclusions drawn each call for the need to have effective management of water resources. In addition, they call for effective utilization of water resources. These statements provide room for research on what effective management of water resources means. They also provide room for investigation on how to conduct effective utilization of the limited available resources. Effective management of water resources involves the whole concept of planning, developing the resources and distributing them to where they are needed. Planning has been stated as one of the most appropriate ways of ensuring effective management of water resources. The plan involves determination of when water should be utilized and how it should be utilized. According to Sadoff and Muller (2008), effective management involves adaptive management of resources. This is owed to the uncertainty of water resources and the challenges involved in collective action. Continuously updating the system and the concept of flexibility are crucial steps because they provide a platform for offering services when they are required. This implies that a change in system of operation can be used in ensuring effective utilization of water resources. For this reason, water supply can be done under a different system from the existing one. This is the reason for this paper. The paper intends to make a proposal on the implications of using a 24 hours supply system to the demand of the water. While water shall be available throughout the day, there are other implications on demand and price that have to be investigated. The research done on how sustainable water supply in Abu Dhabi is has provided room for further research on the means of ensuring effective management of water resources. System change or a change in mode of operation provides an alternative solution. It creates a new dimension to supply of water, as well as finding out how the demand of water shall be affected by the change. Aim of the project The project aims to investigate how water supply in Abu Dhabi can be done in a sustainable manner. This implies that the water supply should be done continuously to people in Abu Dhabi while not exhausting the available water resources. It also implies that water resources should be able to meet the increasing demand for water by the various sectors that require water so as to ensure development of the country. All this is done with the aim of ensuring that water supply is sustainable and is done in a manner that keeps pace with the changing developing times in the country. Specific research objectives The project aims to investigate the effect of a continuous supply of water on the demand of water in Abu Dhabi. The aim of having a continuous supply of water is to ensure that water is available to people whenever it is needed. The project also aims to investigate the effect of continuous water supply to the price of water in Abu Dhabi. The project shall show the relation between increased price of water and its effect on the demand of water The project aims to investigate why the system of continuous water supply (24 hour water supply) has not been adopted; but rather, water is supplied for 6 hours a day. This project also aims to show the importance of conserving water as a crucial factor in ensuring continuous availability of water to people in Abu Dhabi. Research methods to be used To gain insight on how a 24 hour system of water supply shall affect the demand of water, a survey shall be used among in Abu individuals Dhabi. These individuals shall involve residents and workers in the industrial and agricultural sector. A questionnaire shall be used to administer the survey. Responses from the interviewees shall be used in understanding the effects of a continuous supply of water to their demand. To understand how the price of water shall be affected by this system of supply, the current price paid for water supply shall be analysed from the water suppliers. The cost of supplying water for 6 hours shall be assessed and compared with how this cost shall change when the supply is done on a 24 hour basis. This comparison shall provide the change in price with the new system of water supply. In addition, understanding the effect of a changed price of water supply on the demand of water shall be achieved through the questionnaires administered. The Responses given by the interviewee shall give an insight on the effect of price increment or decrease on the demand for water. Quantitative research shall be employed in analyzing gathered information. The information from the survey shall be analyzed based on the number of people and the type of response they provide. Background information on the subject of sustainability of water supply shall be found from secondary sources. These include literature from studies that have been conducted on how to keep a sustainable supply of water in Abu Dhabi. Reports from various research works and studies shall provide insight on the current state of water supply and what has been done on the situation. Even with availability of information from secondary sources, data from the questionnaire shall be used to add to the resources on water supply in Abu Dhabi. Possible Conclusions Increase of water supply to a continuous system implies an increased supply of water. It is expected that the demand of water shall be on the increment because of the rising demand from the growing population and from the growing number of sectors that require use of water. However, the cost of a continuous supply of water is also expected to increase. Therefore, some individuals shall utilize the water more while some will not. This shall depend on what they use the water for. Most people who use the water for residential purposes shall not like it when water prices are increased. However, people using water for agricultural and industrial use shall use more water to get more returns and subsequently, the increased water prices shall not affect their demand for water. Risks/ Contingencies One assumption made in this project is that the current state of increasing water demand shall prevail. It is also assumed that although there is a challenge on water resource availability, water supply shall continue to be constant. This implies that there shall not be any reduction in the amount of water supplied due to external factors. In addition to the assumption, the project faces the risk of not getting sufficient response from the respondents. Some respondents might not give feedback to our questionnaires. To curb this risk, the survey shall be done on a large group of people and from different zones within the country. The questionnaire below is used for our own study and any information given will be kept as confidential as possible. Please tick as you suitably feel. Questionnaire to water users Does the 6 hour supply of water meet your demand for water? Would you prefer a continuous supply of water? Will your demand for water increase if a continuous supply of water is availed? Will the demand decrease with the new water system? Will your demand for water remain the same? Will continue demanding for more water if the price f water supply is increased? Questionnaire for water suppliers What is the cost of supplying water for 6 hours in a day? By how much will this cost increase if the supply is increased to 24 hours a day? Bibliography Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, 2010, Al Bateen Waterfront Design Guidelines: Sustainable Urban Planning, accessed May 24, 2014 from: Al-Mansouri et al, 2009, Abu Dhabi Water Resources Master Plan, Abu Dhabi: Environmental Agency. Dawoud, Mohamed, 2008, Water Resources in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE: Environment Agency. Mulla, Mohamed, 2011, UAE State of the Water Report, UAE: Ministry of Water and Environment. Pressley, D. and Bahr, N. 2009, Meeting the Food, Water and Power Scarcity Challenge in the United Arab Emirates: The Majlis Approach, Middle East North Africa: Booz Allen Hamilton. Qassimi et al, 2010, Sustainable Water Management: Assessment and Recommendations for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. Rizk, Z. & Alsharhan, A., 2003, Water Resources in the United Arab Emirates, Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, p. 245-264. Sadoff, C. & Muller, M., 2008, Better Water Resources Management–Greater Resilience Today, More Effective Adaptation Tomorrow, South Africa: Global Water Partnership. Read More