The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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W ATER T HEN & N OW Until about fifty years ago, Abu Dhabi’s water requirements were met solely from groundwater using traditional extraction methods. These often involved shallow, hand-dug wells or the falaj system (man-made wells and channels that collect ground, spring and surface water and distribute it by gravity to where it is most needed). Past societies fully appreciated the finite nature and true value of water and evolved ingenious conservation techniques for all stages of water management, especially for its allocation and distribution. Today, Abu Dhabi residents enjoy a level of access to safe and clean water that was

Now T In contrast to the past, water demand in Abu Dhabi has now far outstripped the natural supply. Total water consumption in the Emirate is today about twenty-six times the natural production, and growing. At the current rate of withdrawal, the Emirate’s groundwater resources will be entirely depleted within twenty–forty years. While modern methods such as desalination are technically efficient, they are very energy intensive and there are significant environmental impacts to consider.

unimaginable only decades ago. The construction of the first desalination plant in 1960 marked a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s development allowing plentiful salt water to be converted into fresh water, thereby diminishing dependence on limited natural fresh water sources. This capacity not only improved the quality of life of citizens but effectively opened the previously water-deficient islands and surrounding coastline to rapid urban development and population growth, which continues today.

Abu Dhabi Water Consumption W

Then S While traditional methods of water extraction and delivery were laborious, they were certainly sustainable, balancing natural supplies with local demands. Prior generations could not take water for granted since their very survival depended upon it. By necessity they developed ingenious methods for finding, distributing and conserving their water supplies. Settlements and farms could only grow to the extent that these could be supported by the local water supply.

Traditional Wells X

56 %

Agriculture Agriculture in Abu Dhabi accounts for approximately 56% of all the water consumed. Most farms are

The

exploitation

and

development water resources within the Emirate can be traced back to the Bronze Age, commencing 3,000 years ago with various innovations through the Iron Age and early Islamic period through to pre-oil times and onto today. BronzeAge wells discovered at Hili show evidence of a traditional system of of

Homes and Businesses Domestic use of water for homes and businesses accounts for about 23% of total water

23 %

owned by citizens, although there are a small number of large, government-run farms. Generous government subsidies have promoted agricultural expansion. Since 1970, farms owned by citizens grew from less than 2,000 hectares to an estimated 80,000 hectares in 2007 – with growth of nearly 5,000 hectares per year since the mid-1990s. Agricultural expansion is currently restricted due to the limitation and, in some cases, exhaustion of groundwater supplies.

consumed in Abu Dhabi. Much domestic water ends up at the sewerage treatment plant, where it is treated and reused for urban landscape irrigation. However, because of limited irrigation distribution networks, only 56% of the total treated water is re- used.The remainder is discharged into the Gulf.

Marine Springs While fresh water springs are found along the coastal belt of the UAE, mostly in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, less well known offshore marine springs (which discharge fresh water from the sea bed) have been known for centuries and have long been associated with the pearling industry. The marine springs of Dalma Island have a particularly long history and cultural significance. Remarkably, the source of this fresh water is in the distant Zagros Mountain range in Southern Iran, reaching the UAE by travelling under the Arabian Gulf. Since fresh water is less dense than seawater, it naturally rises to the surface where the lighter colour is visible. Traditionally, marine spring water was harvested with buckets or alternately, divers could capture the water closer to the spring by using inverted jars or sacks made of animal skins.

Rainwater Harvesting There is evidence also offshore on Marawah and on other islands, like Al Aryam, of ancient water use in the form of rainfall harvesting. Gulleys were constructed to capture run-off and channel it into nearby wells or cisterns. Six late Islamic period wells have been located about one kilometre west of the village of Ghubba on Marawah.

accessing water that relied upon buckets. The traditional jazra system, which uses animals to pull water from deep wells, was still in use in the Emirate until a few decades ago. The same system may have been used over 4,000 years ago, although the settlement’s inhabitants may also have drawn up the water by hand.

12 %

Urban Landscape The abundant green parks and street trees in the Emirate’s urban areas consume nearly 7% of the total water usage. Most of this water comes from the re-use of treated sewerage, but it still takes a large amount of desalinated water to keep grass and other high water demand landscape plants alive and well in Abu Dhabi’s hot climate. 7 %

Forest Plantations Forest plantations in Abu Dhabi were established in the past as part of Sheikh Zayed’s desire to halt desertification – to ‘green’ the

Industry Industries likemanufacturing and assembly plants only currently demand a small 2% of the Emirate’s water consumption. In part, this is because there are only a relatively small number of such businesses at present. However, with the opening of new industrial zones, the demand from this sector is expected to increase exponentially. 2 %

desert, to stabilise dunes near development and to enhance areas designated for wildlife. 80% of the plantations are in the Western (Al Gharbia) Region. This sector consumes approximately 12% (233 million m ³ ) of Abu Dhabi’s water supply annually. From 1989 until the programme’s halt in 2006, the total area under cultivation expanded on average 26% annually. Across the Emirate, over 63 million trees are irrigated by over 5,000 wells. Together with Rhodes grass, a perennial fodder crop, forests are irrigated by 362.4 million m 3 of water annually (2006 data).

Underground Section

Collection Section Conveyance Section

Open Section

Mother Well

Treated Wastewater Cycle

Shafts for Repair and Cleaning

Rocks

Wetland

Homes, Businesses, Industries

Urban Landscape

Aquifer

Water Used for Agriculture

Forest Plantation

Aflaj S Traditional canal systems ( aflaj ) were dug to tap groundwater for irrigated agriculture and drinking water supply. In Abu Dhabi, these were utilised around the oasis city of Al Ain from at least 3,000 years ago until today. They are fed by the continually recharged shallow aquifer at the base of the Hajar Mountains. The aflaj of Al Ain have come under increasing stress in recent years from declining groundwater levels and flows are no longer adequate to feed the historic oasis. Desalinated and treated wastewater is now used to keep the garden city of Al Ain green.

Total Water Supply in Abu Dhabi by Source in % 2009

Resource of Life – Water › Water Then & Now

Pump

Treatment

65.0%

Groundwater

Desert

56%

Desalinated Water

29.0%

Storage

Recycled water

44%

6.0%

Gulf

Total Water Supply = 3.355 Mm 2 /year