A parliamentary report recently approved by the Federal National Council revealed an increase in water consumption rates at the agricultural sector level, reaching about two-thirds of the total water consumption in the country, attributing this to the increasing population growth that led to an increase in demand for food, which was reflected in the agricultural sector. Agriculture, and then on water.
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure reported that the average value of water losses for water transmission and distribution networks in the country currently amounts to 11%, stressing the work to develop and improve the networks’ infrastructure using innovative technologies and artificial intelligence techniques to manage the networks’ water losses.
In detail, the report praised the efforts made by the UAE government in general, and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in particular, in developing and protecting the country’s water resources sector, pointing out that the Ministry has launched several initiatives to adopt best practices in managing and reducing water losses in water transmission and distribution networks, as well as For this purpose, two activities were included: the first was “launching the innovative consultative laboratory on the country’s best practices and leading solutions for managing water losses in water networks,” while the second activity was “ensuring the application of best practices, solutions, and management projects and reducing water losses in water networks.”
The report, a copy of which was obtained by Emirates Today, stated that despite the ministry’s efforts, it notes through the information that the average value of water loss for water transmission and distribution networks at the state level reached approximately 11%, while the average water loss In the water transmission and distribution networks at the Union Water and Electricity Company, it reached 30%.
The report said: “Despite the efforts of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and its preparation of guides, guidebooks, and questionnaires, and its launch of the electronic platform for the National Conservation Campaign, it is noticeable that water consumption has increased in the agricultural sector, which represents about two-thirds of the total water consumption in the country, especially The increasing population growth led to an increase in demand for food, which was reflected in the agricultural sector, and then in water.”
According to the report, groundwater is considered the main natural water resource in the country, as it constitutes about 50% of the total water resources used. Fresh groundwater resources are geographically distributed in the northern and eastern regions, and the “Liwa” region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi contains relatively large quantities of fresh groundwater. Groundwater is mainly used in the agricultural sector, which accounts for about 95% of the groundwater used.
The report confirmed that despite the efforts made by the Ministry to preserve groundwater and contribute effectively to its integrated management, the excessive depletion of groundwater led to a decrease in the groundwater level, as the level of some wells decreased to record levels, and seawater interfered with water. In areas near the coast, which led to an increase in groundwater salinity.
He stated that “it has also become clear that there is a major challenge that is depleting the strategic water reserve, represented by the continued random drilling of wells without obtaining legal licenses in the country,” pointing out that “estimates of groundwater extraction in the agricultural sector are not uniform among the emirates of the country, and data on consumption Groundwater is inaccurate, due to the lack of water meters.”
3 causes of “water loss”
The parliamentary report defined “water loss” as “the difference between the quantities of water produced and the value of the bills collected for it,” identifying three reasons for the increase in water loss. The first is “technical,” represented by the leakage of water from the connection network to the ground due to poor operation or a defect in part of the water supply system. Network and delay in repair. The second is “administrative,” which occurs due to inaccurate calculations of the quantities of water produced from water sources or the quantities delivered to homes. The third is poor benefit from international or local practices to reduce and manage waste.
He said: “It is clear from these reasons that the strategic goal and desired results of the initiative to adopt best practices in managing and reducing water losses in water transmission and distribution networks have not been achieved, and the percentage of losses has increased compared to the performance efficiency target indicator for the globally targeted water losses in water transmission and distribution networks by no more than 10%.
Government response
The parliamentary report included a government response to some observations, in which the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure confirmed that the inaccuracy of groundwater consumption data is due to the presence of old networks in some northern regions of the country, in addition to the rugged and difficult mountainous terrain, explaining that “the process of repairing, modernizing and maintaining networks “Transporting and distributing water is considered very expensive.”
The Ministry stressed that it is coordinating with electricity and water departments, authorities, and companies to follow up data on network losses, in addition to organizing technical workshops to exchange experiences, transfer knowledge, and learn about best practices among partners in this field, stressing that the average value of water losses for water transmission and distribution networks in the country is currently About 11%.
She stated that the concerned departments, agencies and companies are working to develop and improve the infrastructure of their water networks, in addition to using innovative technologies, such as sensors, monitoring and control tools, and artificial intelligence techniques in managing the networks’ water losses.
• The continued random drilling of wells without obtaining legal licenses in the country… represents a major challenge that depletes the strategic water reserve.
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