Abu Dhabi is set to unveil a comprehensive water management strategy, as disclosed by Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy. This strategy will encompass all phases of water, from production and distribution to consumption, and will also track the value added by water. It will analyze water loss percentages, identify optimal usage methods, and promote efficient consumption practices.
Eng. Awaidha shared this information with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the World Utilities Congress 2024, which commenced on September 16 in Abu Dhabi. He further mentioned that the department is in the process of drafting new policies and regulations aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the water and electricity sector in the emirate. These initiatives are expected to improve service quality for the public at minimal costs, reduce environmental impact, and align with the UAE's goals of achieving climate neutrality and sustainable economic growth.
Eng. Awaidha also highlighted that there are currently 598,537 electricity accounts and 468,567 water accounts in the emirate. He noted a steady increase in demand for water and electricity between 2022 and 2023, with peak electricity demand in the Abu Dhabi network growing by approximately 7%, and peak water demand increasing by about 2.5%.
The primary water consumers in Abu Dhabi are the agriculture and housing sectors, with agriculture being the largest consumer. Other significant sectors include residential, municipal, government, commercial, and industrial. Most of the water supply in the emirate is sourced from groundwater, accounting for 56% of the total. Desalinated water contributes 33%, with the remainder coming from recycled water and rainwater.
