Water Security, Efficiency and Wastewater Management in the UAE

Water remains a national priority because of aridity, limited natural resources and high development demand. Non-conventional sources provide 53% of supply. The UAE has more than 160 wastewater-treatment plants, reuses 73% of treated wastewater for landscaping, and aims to reduce total water demand by 21% and raise treated-water reuse to 95% by 2036.

Operational actions

• Meter major uses — cooling towers, irrigation, welfare, process.
• Detect leaks with night-flow analysis and acoustic surveys.
• Set intensity targets (litres per employee, per m², per unit produced).
• Optimise cooling-tower blowdown and irrigation schedules.
• Assess potable vs non-potable demand and switch where feasible.
• Manage legionella and general water hygiene with a documented WSP.
• Verify wastewater discharge quality against consent limits.
• Include water interruption in emergency and continuity planning.