Water Provision Methods For Abu Dhabi In UAE - Research Paper Example

? WATER PROVISION METHODS FOR ABU DHABI IN UAE Summary Provision of water is one of the vital public services since all the activities taken out in life require water. Being in a desert UAE finds it challenging to supply water to its people efficiently and sufficiently. Therefore, it is imperative that a sound strategic plan is drawn on the most efficient cost friendly method of supplying water. Some of the factors that are significant during such a project appraisal include the cost and the environmental impact the implications of such a project will have in the community. It is therefore important that all the alternatives methods of providing water is taken through critical assessment which must capture ethical standards besides cost/benefit analysis approach. Environmental issue is very pivotal for sustained availability of such natural resources like water which are non-renewable. This fact is very crucial given that UEA is already in a harsh climatic region and this explains emphasis of this parameter when making informed choices among the alternatives. Introduction From the perspective of environmental factor, the idea of reuse is very important in reduction of demand for fresh water, enhance reliability of supply and diversify the sources of water. This concept is important in reducing waste water being discharged to the environmental. Decentralization is also an important environmental consideration that reduces energy for distribution thereby minimizing greenhouse gas emissions besides energy saving. On the final cost approach, constructing fewer infrastructures is vital in deferring and minimizing costs of supply networks and this goes a long way in enhancing flexibility to adapt to the variations of population, use of land and technology. Findings and discussion The options available for provision of water in Abu Dhabi City in UAE are Desalinization and transportation through pipeline. Due to the increasing demand for water for domestic use, commercial and emergency services like firefighters, a more efficient method is required with consideration to the cost and environmental care (Ratnayaka, et al, 2009, pg 547). Pipe is one of the centralization approaches that reduce the use of land means of transport. It effectively replaces the use of Lorries to transport water thereby reducing the emission of carbon through combustion of organic fuel. It is also comparatively cheaper in terms of fuel consumption and this means that the cost reflected on the consumers water bill is affordable which is in line with the government’s efforts to improve the living standards of people at affordable cost. From the cost data on the pipeline project that has been supplying water, Pipeline is fairly reliable since it cannot be affected by changes in weather as it could be in other alternatives. It is worth to note that pipeline supply originates from one point of processing and this means that all the volumes in supply are fresh and not subject to any additional treatment. This explains the case of the ongoing project managed by Lindenberg-Emirates of pipelines meant to supply water to a group of islands in Abu Dhabi (Jeffreys, 2011, pg72). This is preferred due to the large volumes that can be provided by pipe for expansionary industrial and residential policies. An alternative method of providing water that has been floated for implementation by the ministry in charge of water and the local government is construction of desalinization plants. This concept will require much technology and this means it is capital intensive hence costly. It has various features that include recycling sections that help in reducing the amount of water that is discharged as wastage and this is environmentally friendly. Decentralization has been realized to help in reducing the cost of supply network and enhance chances of flexibility in response to changes in population and consumption in addition to technological advancement that may be required for adjustments. Desalinization plants are to be located near the sea side to provide back up to the pipeline supply. These plants much as they are expensive are dual in operation since the salt produced can also be used in manufacturing other products giving it an economic boost. . It can be proved from the evidence on Liwa desalinization site that the reservoirs that keep part of the processed water is a safety measure in case of emergency to this desert city. These desalinization plants substitute the large trucks that are used to distribute water from the central production units which are found far away from the city and expose this much wanted commodity to wastage. The delicate issue of water and its increasing demand requires that some demerits of the two alternatives are explored. In that respect it is significant to draw a close comparison of pipeline against the desalinization option in terms of the economic welfare of the society and environmental policies adherence. Desalinization is consuming a lot of electric energy which is passed on to the final consumers and this retrogressive to economic growth and development (Cipollina, A., Micale, G., & Rizzuti, 2009, pg 299). It is also a security risk due to their bulging exposure that if exploded can destabilize the water supply in the city significantly. The costly and demand desalinization procedures is responsible for the relatively slow production and supply of water and this makes the city vulnerable in case the various commercial and domestic activities are dependent on desalinization plants supply. Pipeline on the other hand requires underground technology that would help in monitoring leakages. The materials used in making these pipes and the saline condition of desert soil exposes them to corrosion that would translate to cases of water supply disruption to rectify the leaking parts. There are no proper mechanisms designed to cater for the used volumes of water that account for the waste. Disposal of this waste is an environment hazard and sends signals of future water problem if no action is taken. It is also important to underline the impact of the radioactive materials that constitute leakage detectors on the immediate environment. The pipeline network established to supply water to the various islands that form Abu Dhabi are not easy to alter in response to the changing population and technological advancement in water provision. Piping technology has equal application in irrigation of firms since the water is fresh and distribution is comparatively reliable from the pipeline. Proposals to recover and recycle unused water by plants will also serve the water saving efforts. On the basis of cost/benefit analysis, the need to reconcile cost against environmental factors in respect to water provision, pipeline has been proved to be efficient with plans to install recycling and other water saving mechanisms. The exponential expansion of population means need for more and reliable water supply to cater for domestic consumption and industrialization. This is in line with the efforts of the local authority to cut down costs of providing public essential commodities like water and electricity. Desalinization should be regulated to produce water for only domestic use so that cost is considerably reduced to affordability and effectiveness. The best way to counter the environmental issues and costs associated with pipeline, the water providing agencies need to develop a mechanism that will capture the left over from different points of use for recycling (Wilde, 2011, pg 24). This may be coupled by cutting down on the daily consumption rate per household by installing water use reduction technological systems. Such techniques includes imposition of water tariffs that will promote consumption efficiency, sophisticated water meters that updates the consumers on their rate of use and smart meters that will enhance elimination of leakages across the supply system. Recommendations Water remains the most essential item for the survival of the city and it is important that the government and other stakeholders strategize with consideration of environment care since UAE is already in a harsh climate region. This means increased pipeline supply and a regulated desalinization with focus on sustainability. References Oxford Business Group (2010). The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010. Oxford Business Group, p. 95. Cipollina, A., Micale, G., & Rizzuti, L. (2009). Seawater desalination: conventional and renewable energy processes. Heidelberg, Springer. Wilde, F. (2011). Worldwide development of nuclear energy - strategic deployment of German consultancies in the Arabian market. Hamburg, Diplomica-Verl. Jeffreys, A. (2011). The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2011. Oxford Business Group. Ratnayaka, D. D., Brandt, M. J., Johnson, K. M., & Twort, A. C. (2009). Twort's water supply. Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann . Read More