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2,100 water-saving devices 
installed in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI — In its extensive drive to minimise the usage of water in the emirate, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has installed over 2,100 water-saving devices in the capital by first week of July. The tiny devices are being installed by the EAD 
free of charge.

So far, the devices have been installed in 1,200 households, 530 mosques, 175 schools, 170 labour accommodations and 25 public buildings in the capital.

According to an EAD statement to Khaleej Times, “If the emirate continues consuming this amount of water, there would be (water) shortages by as soon as 2012.” Domestic water consumption rate in Abu Dhabi is one of the highest in the world – in fact, residents in the emirate consume an average of 550 litres of water per person per day, which is almost three times as high as the United Nations benchmark 
rate of 180 litres.

Through daily activities such as showering, bathing, using toilet facilities and household appliances, washing cars and watering gardens, residents use an average of 550 litres a day 
in the emirate.

Which is why, EAD embarked on this water-saving campaign to install tiny, water-saving devices into every tap in every home, school, mosque, government and commercial building in the emirate, which will save as much as 30 per cent on domestic water consumption per household without noticeable effect to the consumer, the EAD statement said.

The target of the Dh20 million water-saving campaign started in May 27 this year is to cover 55,000 houses, public buildings, schools, mosques and labour accommodations in 12 months in 
its first phase.

Dr Mohamed Dawoud, manager, water resources department at the EAD said 100 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s piped drinking water comes from the Arabian Gulf and is then desalinated in processing plants located along the coastline. However, the process is highly energy-intensive, releasing carbon-dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to the UAE’s carbon footprint and accelerating 
global warming.

After the completion of the project, this will save Dh50-60 million per year on what is spent on water, Dr Dawoud said. — anwar@khaleejtimes.com