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Conserve water, residents urged

ABU DHABI — All efforts by the UAE government on water conservation, including optimum utilisation of modern technologies, will come to a nought if the community does not complement its efforts through careful use of water and understanding its value, Noura Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Women's Union (GWU) has warned.

"The per capita daily consumption of water in the UAE, at 330 litres, is considered the highest in the world, and this calls for an action plan to be drawn up to tackle the situation," she said, addressing the "Forum on Family's Role in Household Water Conservation" held on Tuesday as part of "World Water Day 2005" celebrated this year under the theme 'Water for life".

The forum was organised at the GWU's theatre by the Environment Research and Wildlife Development Agency (Erwda) in association with GWU, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), under the patronage of Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of GWU.

"One of the major challenges the UAE faces is its geographical location as it lies in an area known for scarcity of water resources," Mrs Suwaidi said, blaming the rapid economic and social evolution witnessed in the country over the past three decades for the huge increase in consumption of water.

"Water conservation is the responsibility of all family members, who are duty bound to economise on water consumption and protecting all other components of environment," she said.

Mrs Suwaidi hailed Shaikha Fatima for her vision in tackling social issues and their impact on the stability of family and social structure.

On the global impact of water scarcity, Tagreed Haider, Public Information Associate, UNDP-UAE, said that while in developing countries, water was crucial for sustainable development and poverty alleviation, water-related diseases also claimed a child's life every eight seconds. "They are also responsible for 80 per cent of all illness and deaths in developing countries," she said.

"In Africa women, mainly girls, have to walk six km everyday to fetch water. Our pledge is to value water and remember that each drop of water counts," she said.