Water Problems - Research Proposal Example

Topic Introduction Scar of potable water is a global problem. While three-fourth of the world is composed of water but most of these are not potable. In some arid countries like Saudi Arabia, water scarcity is exacerbated by its geographic location, thus, the need to re-strategize its water supply development and utilization. Hydrologists perceived that a nation is already confronting water scarcity when it’s internal water resources are less than 1,000 cubic meters per capita per year. Such will have severe impact to socioeconomic development and environmental quality thus, it’s essential to relate integrated water resource management to economic, political, cultural and social development (Bahri, 2011; Harrison, 2004). For instance, in Africa, water deficiency was fundamentally caused by absence of water infrastructure, poor water management, absence of institutional platforms for public discussion about water services, commitment and financial support (Bahri, 2011, p. 9). The same situation and contextual factors are also felt in Saudi Arabia. Experts opined about the need for structural and policy reform for a draw a comprehensive and integrated resolution of to the problem of water scarcity since it will seriously impact to agricultural and industrial production, as well as, affect community’s health or sanitation. Quality water is significant for the nation’s economic growth, industrial development, and social hygiene or sanitation (Bahri, 2011, p. 9). Water scarcity should therefore, be dealt strategically as quality water supply is an essential component to to sustain agri-industrial development, cultural practices, health, sanitation and safety of its people (Bahri, 2011, p. 9-10). Statement of the Problem Harrison (2004) contended that Saudi Arabia is among the 30 countries around the world perceived as water stressed albeit its advanced economic status as one of the leading oil producing country. Such severe waster scarcity is caused primarily by its geographic location which is not quite blessed with volume of rainfalls and is surrounded with the aridity of the desert sands (Harrison, 2004). This problem continually challenged the Arab’s national government about meeting the people’s needs for potable water and how they would be able to balance water supply and demand amid issues on inequitable distribution, mismanagement, absence of institutional commitment, as well as, intrusion of salt water and contamination of aquifers (Harrison, 2004). Experts posit that water resources and problems can be resolved if stakeholders are willing to undertake strategic planning and refine policies to help increase water access and to responsibly regulate its use. Formulating water management policy is significant in this issue as a legal framework that will govern or provide direction to the maximization and utilization of water resource. In delving into potential remedies, the empirical experience of Africa on water resource management can be used as a reflection point for Arab’s water management, in policy development, in nurturing coordination of stakeholders, in infrastructure development, water-quality management and adoption of conservation using standard quality control. Goal of the Research The research is aimed at qualitatively evaluating the state of water supply in Saudi Arabia and its management, distribution, conservation. It will also qualitatively discuss the economic, political and social implication of water scarcity as well as the severity of its impact to affected region using the empirical experience of Africa (Bahri, 2011) as benchmark for articulation of the issues. It will investigate into the imbalance and inequities of water supply and demand as well as attempt to find resolution to depleting natural water resource as against the increasing demand (Rosegrant, 1995). It will likewise reaffirm the need to adopt conservation measures and to develop water management system to improve the proficiency of water production and use. That means, the government must not only work for water supply development but also enforce management to cease unregulated use of critical water sources in the homes, industrial, social sites and agricultural areas (Ibrahim, 1990). It will likewise determine some recommendations and propose strategic water management plan. Methodology This is a mixed study that will evaluate the water resource condition in Saudi Arabia. Using interviews and collation of documents and secondary materials, researcher will describe and illustrate the causes of water scarcity problem and its deficiency; the financing system for quality water production; and, about capacitating the institution to nurture commitment for sustainable water development in Saudi Arabia (Brajnik & Lines, 1998). Quantitative data will be gathered for comparative understanding of water supply and demand in the last five years. Thus, it implies serious investigation to the water supply generated from non-renewable groundwater taken from fossil aquifers; from desalinated water; from surface water; and from alluvial aquifers (Ibrahim, 1990). Other quantitative comparative data will be sourced from other related empirical experiences from countries, e.g. Africa, to understand how they were able to innovatively apply integrated water management to meet its economic and social needs. It will likewise detail how conservation policy be enforced. Researcher will gather all evidences that will support his findings and draw conclusions and recommendations from this study. Saudi Arabia: Proposed Managerial Water Plan Harrison (2004) described Saudi Arabia with a booming population of 250 million and is projected to reach 600 M by 2030. Harrison (2004) likewise projected that Arabs’ per capita share of water would reduce from 150 to 75 cubic meters per annum in two decades. Saudi will also confront the serious impact of climate changes and shrinking water resources or water shortage. Harrison (2004) argued that it’s likely that nations would go to war due to water scarcity. Citing specific details, Harrison (2004) contended that demand for water in Saudi rose from 1 million to about 5 million cubic meters per day over the last 25 years based on reports of Water Research Unit at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. It is likewise projected that by 2030, water consumption could reach 2 million cubic meters a day. Increasing demands for water is due to population boom, rural migration, and is further abetted by climate changes. Saudi Arabia’s water is sourced through desalination, with 30 huge government-owned plants, and another thousand of smaller private and local plants. Other waters are sourced from groundwater although there is anent problem on this since groundwater is not quite replenished efficiently because aquifers are replenished only at 10% extraction rate (Harrison, 2004). Data further bared that only about 5% of total water consumption are attributed to domestic use while 87% goes to agriculture. Such amount is pegged at 25 billion cubic meters in 2004 (Harrison, 2004). The costs of water used in agriculture have not even substantially improved the revenue earmarked from farming (Harrison, 2004). O’Connor (2010) contended that with the increasing demand for urban water management that can help develop integrated water resource systems responsive to population growth, urbanization, industrialization and current resource management-- there is need to adopt the Total Water Management (TWM). This is a system and approach which comprehensively evaluates the urban water systems in an integrated process as a response to the need of reducing water demands; scaling up of water recycling for conservation; establishing water supply assets sourced from storm water management; matching water quality; keeping an environment-sensitive water facilities and infrastructures. O’Connor (2010) perceived that TWM will be more beneficial if policymakers are communicated to work on crafting management techniques that could be adopted in order to improve urban water management systems. TWM is likewise an alternative plan or model which is contrary to traditional approaches on water management. It simulates supply reliability, total lifecycle costs, water quality of receiving waters, and a number of other environmental indicators (O’Connor, 2010; p. 1). O’Connor (2010) likewise recommended Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) software as a technology or tool in the development of integrated water system plan and model. It can illustrate real data from contextual realities and determine the volume of water which can be generated from the surface, ground, the imported water supply, and the downstream wastewater treatment plants and other receiving bodies (p. 1). TWM strategize the system and helped evaluate the increased water conservation by including the process of recycling and reuse of greywater, stormwater recharge, and rainwater harvesting (p. 1). O’Connor (2010) further pointed that WEAP model showed how an integrated water supply, stormwater and water quality management facilitate the scaling of opportunities to meet and achieve urban system goals in these modern period. The national government of Saudi must therefore craft an integrated water management and establish an office that will regulate the production and conservation of water from all sources (Palmer, 2010). Considering climate changes these times, the government with its private partners in water production should collaborate to make dramatic changes contextualized on climatic challenges that have seriously impacted on water generation (Jelks, 2008). World leaders have showed interest to develop systematic water management and its resources; nurture efficiency and safe transmission of water through our distribution systems, evaluate low-impact development of water resources, conduct of groundwater management, and urban hydrology (O’Connor, 2010, p. 1). As such, Saudi Arabia must chose experts on water management which will compose the team of administrators in a its water development department and such must (a) have deep knowledge on ecological protectionism in correlation to water supply management; (b) have foreknowledge about the significance of water to economic, political and social development of the nation; (c) have the capacity to strategically lead the department on water supply generation, utilization, and conservation. Results and Recommendations The research will conclude with recommendations that will be proposed to the Arab government about how to improve its water generation, regulate its water supply utilization, and enforce effective water conservation while they are building resilience amid climate challenges (Master, Flack, & Stein, 1998; Milly, 2008). It is possible for researcher to recommend the utilization of measures that are inclusive of traditional and modern water harvesting technique such as improving Saudi’s groundwater management, enhancing water conservation, and planting of drought-resistant crops and trees (Bahri, 2011; Milly, 2008). Using the empirical experiences in Africa, Saudi may also adopt and harness the utilization of traditional knowledge on natural resource management to allow pastoralists and agro-pastoralists to be resilient to ecological shocks to sustain their livelihoods. Bahri (2011) also pointed that the use of hydrological information systems can also help understand preventable water related humanitarian disasters (Poff, 2003). The researcher may also adopt Bahri’s (2011) recommendation about the use of early warning and monitoring system for drought and about building integrated partnerships of government and private sector for the resolution of water scarcity along with local populace (Postel & Richter, 2003). The national water resource management plans which is imbibed in African Water Facility (AWF) which is currently supporting Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, can be likewise used as model to inspire Saudi Arabia in developing an Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Efficiency Plans. This step is significant since droughts and famines will not only affect the populace but also terminate agricultural produce and livestock (Bahri, 2011). Saudi Arabia must likewise start identifying possible sites for water storage infrastructure with appropriate geophysical investigations (Postel & Rcihter, 2003). It must likewise increase its concern on construction standard for quality control to strategize water facility development that is sensitive to risks associated to drought, climate changes, floods, and earthquake (Bahri, 2011). There is likewise a need to propose performance evaluation of the department or agency that are assuming the role on water supply and utilization management. The appraisal of their performance will also provide some deep insights in strategically managing these department or agencies. References Abdullah M. Mohorjy & Neil S. Grigg. Water-Resources Management System for Saudi Arabia. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management . 121, 205 (1995); doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9496(1995)121:2(205) Abdulla Ali Al-Ibrahim. Water Use in Saudi Arabia: Problems and Policy Implications Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, Vol. 116, No. 3, May/June 1990, pp. 375-388. Bahri, Akica,. Growing Thirsty: The Effects of Water Scarcity and Variability on the Socio-economic Transformation in Africa. African Development Bank. Africa. 2011. Giorgio Brajnik & Marji Lines, "Qualitative Modeling and Simulation of Socio-Economic Phenomena," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 1998: vol. 1. Jelks, H. L., et al. “Conservation status of imperiled North American freshwater and diadromous fishes.” Fisheries, 2008: 33(8), 372–407. Master, L. L., Flack, S. R., and Stein, B. A. “Rivers of life: Critical watersheds for protecting freshwater biodiversity.” Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. 1998. Milly, P. C. D. “Stationarity is dead: Whither water management?” Science, 2008: 319, 573–574. Poff, N. L., “River flows and water wars: Emerging science for environmental decision making.” Front. Ecol. Environ., 2003: 1(6), 298–306. Postel, S., and Richter, B. D., Rivers for life: Managing water for people and nature, Island Press, Washington, DC. 2003. Richard N. Palmer. World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Proceedings of the Congress, May 16.20, 2010, Providence, Rhode Island. Roger Harrison. A Problem with Liquidity: The Challenges of Water in Saudi Arabia. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, America. July/August 2004, pp. 44-45. Rosegrant, Mark W."Dealing with water scarcity in the next century," 2020 vision briefs 21, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 1995. Thomas P. O’Connor. Total Water Management: The New Paradigm for Urban Water Resources Planning. World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change. Urban Water Resources Research Council—7th Urban Watershed Management Symposium, Edison, NJ. 2010; pp. 3251-3260 Read More