UAE strives to rationalise water consumption patterns
Gulf News has the story:
The UAE is a rich country and high per capita rates of water consumption go along with larger incomes. But they also go along with prices for water which are below cost. The economist recommends raising the price -- substantially. And installing water meters where necessary in order to measure usage and bill for it.
Much of the water usage goes to greening the desert environment. And much of that is done by the state. Will this use also be rationalized?
The UAE, which has one of the highest per capita rates of water consumption in the world, is seeking to rationalise its consumption patterns according to Mohammad Saeed Al Kindy, minister of environment and water.In addition, groundwater is being overexploited.
The country's increase in water consumption is largely the result of massive urban development and the unprecedented population growth rates.
In addition, scarce rainfall which does not exceed 115 million litres per annum, and the absence of permanent surface water add to the problem.
The UAE is a rich country and high per capita rates of water consumption go along with larger incomes. But they also go along with prices for water which are below cost. The economist recommends raising the price -- substantially. And installing water meters where necessary in order to measure usage and bill for it.
Much of the water usage goes to greening the desert environment. And much of that is done by the state. Will this use also be rationalized?
Labels: environment, UAE
posted by John B. Chilton at 3/26/2007 05:32:00 PM
1 Comments:
I would really like to know how much of this is domestic consumption, how much is for construction and how much or irrigation. The way these figures are always presented suggests that individual householders are profligate with water (some of them may be), but have you seen the irrigated 'forest' near Abu Dhabi City? Or the never-ending stream of water trucks leaving Jebel Ali?
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