Dubai achieves world record for lowest water loss rate

A worker drinks water using his hands at a construction site along the Business Bay in Dubai.- Photo Dhes Handumon/Khaleej Times

Dubai - DEWA's strategy has plans to improve its future operations that include efforts to increase the efficiency and reliability of water networks to meet Dubai's increasing demand.

By Wam

Published: Mon 25 Jan 2016, 1:33 PM

Last updated: Mon 25 Jan 2016, 4:14 PM

Dubai has achieved its lowest ever water-loss rate of 8.26 percent, thanks to the excellence, availability, efficiency, reliability, and great customer service provided by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), which is working to power the social and economic growth of the Emirate.
DEWA's strategy has plans to improve its future operations that include efforts to increase the efficiency and reliability of water networks to meet Dubai's increasing demand.
"We strive to fulfill the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to further develop Dubai's competitive abilities and strengthen its position internationally," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO, DEWA.

Year	Water loss rate
2015	8.26%
2014	9.1%
2013	10.4%
1988	42%

"DEWA makes use of the latest modern innovative methods for its production, transmission, distribution and control systems for water networks. DEWA has achieved milestones globally, surpassing major European and American companies by cutting water network losses from 9.1 per cent in 2014 to 8.26 per cent in 2015, compared to 15 per cent in North America. DEWA managed to decrease water network losses from 42 per cent in 1988 to 10.4 per cent in 2013 as a result of it being made a priority by management. We will continue our efforts to replace Dubai's entire water network by replacing old connections with new ones, replacing water meters, and developing new transmission and distribution networks that conform to the highest international standards. Stopping leaks in faulty systems will eliminate water loss by a large percentage and allow us to save a great deal of water," Al Tayer added.
"We have used Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to survey the water network and identify and remotely-manage potential leaks in the system. DEWA has also adopted modern technology to scan the transmission and distribution networks to prevent cracks from causing leaks in the system."
"DEWA is maintaining the efficiency of all its operations, with over 10,000 employees managing the needs of approximately 700,000 electricity and water customers within Dubai alone. DEWA has a current capacity of 9,656 megawatts (MW) of electricity, and desalinates 470 million gallons every day."
"Thanks to DEWA's efficiency strategy, we have received many awards and have achieved success locally and internationally," concluded Al Tayer.