The city has set itself a target of increasing the use of recycled water while reducing the consumption of desalinated water in the next seven years
An ambitious water reclamation programme, spearheaded by Dubai Municipality for over five decades, has been a crucial component of the emirate’s efforts to manage its ecological assets. The programme has helped Dubai achieve an impressive water reuse rate of 90 per cent and significantly curb its reliance on desalinated water and groundwater, reported Dubai Media Office.
By 2030, Dubai aims to increase recycled water utilisation to 100 per cent. Dubai Municipality’s water reuse strategy aligns with the goals of the emirate’s Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.
Apart from safeguarding vital groundwater resources for future generations, water recycling also substantially saves the electricity needed for energy-intensive desalination, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduction in desalination of water
In the next seven years, Dubai has set itself the target of reducing the use of desalinated water and related power consumption by 30 per cent.
Dawoud Al Hajri, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said, “Dubai’s leadership recognised at an early stage that water conservation is key to ensuring sustainable development. Today, the recycling of water resources has evolved to form a key part of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to realise the leadership’s vision to turn the emirate into a green economy hub.
“Our city’s success in water reclamation demonstrates that harmonising rapid economic growth with environmental conservation is not only achievable but also provides a strong impetus for further progress.”
Dubai’s recycled water programme
Today, Dubai extensively uses reclaimed water to irrigate green spaces and landscaping, distributing it through a network managed by the Waste Management and Sanitation Department of Dubai Municipality. Stretching approximately 2,400 kilometres, this network, which covers most areas of the city, has facilitated the use of about 265 million cubic meters per year of water for green spaces.
Recycled water is used to irrigate an area of about 10,400 hectares in Dubai, including public gardens and green spaces, as well as landscaped areas in property developments. On average, about 22 million cubic metres of reclaimed water is used monthly for irrigation purposes in the city.
Between 1980 and 2022, Dubai has produced over 4.5 billion cubic metres of reclaimed water. By limiting the consumption of desalinated water and groundwater, the use of reclaimed water has resulted in substantial annual savings of approximately Dhs2bn. By 2030, Dubai aims to double its production of recycled water to over 8 billion cubic metres.
In 2022, over 6 million cubic metres of reclaimed water was used in central cooling stations, resulting in cost savings of around 47 per cent (Dhs7.1m).
Diverse uses of reclaimed water
Apart from the irrigation of green spaces and landscaping, recycled water is used for multiple purposes in the emirate ranging from central cooling to firefighting.
Using recycled water in resource-intensive infrastructure operations like central cooling stations has helped reduce costs and drive the expansion of energy-efficient technologies, leading to further reductions in power consumption and carbon emissions.
Reclaimed water is also used in physical treatment processes such as washing operations in sewage treatment plants and pumping stations. Further, it is used in firefighting operations as a more eco-friendly alternative to desalinated water.
Al Hajri said, “As Dubai sets its sights on becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world, we continue to launch new initiatives to raise water reuse rates and progressively diminish the city’s reliance on desalination and precious groundwater.”
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