In most of the houses the maximum wastage of tap water is in the kitchen where lots of water is used to wash utensils. - KT File photo used illustrative purpose only.
Abu Dhabi - Al Hajjiri is confident that the encouraging trend may further drop the rise in consumption level to reach a zero growth.
Published: Thu 18 Feb 2016, 11:00 PM
Last updated: Fri 19 Feb 2016, 11:11 AM
Water consumption is on the decline in the emirate, thanks to the consumption-oriented water billing introduced two years ago. No doubt, it is a great achievement for the policy makers here who have managed to bring a change in water consumption behaviour of the residents.
At a discussion organised by the Embassy of Netherlands on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, Mohammed Al Hajj-iri, Head of Water Section, Planning and Studies Directorate, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company (Adwec), said: "Growth in the consumption was just one per cent between 2014-15, whereas, it was 22 per cent, through the years be-tween 2001 and 2014."
Al Hajjiri is confident that the encouraging trend may further drop the rise in consumption level to reach a zero growth.In a region where water is so scarce, its consumption is 80 per cent higher than the world aver-age. The UAE is one of the bigger consumers of water per capital.
Tips to conserve water:
>Don't keep running the tap while brushing or shaving
> Fix leaks on time
> Make sure dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on
> Avoid hose and use three buckets of water to clean your car
> Avoid daytime watering of lawn.
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Also, energy production is totally linked to water consumption; the water that is used in energy production globally is around 40 per cent. In 2014, Abu Dhabi which is ahead of the entire Middle East in economic reforms, withdrew subsidies on water and power bills. These subsidies were counter-productive as they were not discouraging the consumers from wasting water.
Abu Dhabi withdrew subsidies given to UAE nationals, who now pay Dh1.70 per 1,000 litres on average water consumption on up to 700 litres a day. Once they cross this threshold, they have to pay at the rate of Dh1.89 per 1,000 litres.The expatriate consumers pay Dh5.95 for consuming up to 700 litres and Dh9.90 on over consumption by crossing the daily consumption limit of 700 litres.
In 2016, the water bill was further increased 6.6 per cent for expatriates. Abu Dhabi produces 907 million gallons of water a day. Several tenants, who have sublet one or two rooms to executive bachelors and to families in order to recover the higher rents, told Khaleej Times that the higher tariff has made them aware of the importance of water. They believe water consumption can be further reduced. One tenant said that his paying guests waste don't turn off the shower while taking bath. "I believe we can save this water from going waste," he said, adding that "there is need for more awareness amongst the masses.
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