Due to increase in the demand for groundwater and withdrawal from aquifers, The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced that Abu Dhabi’s scarcity of naturally renewable water resources has been worsened.
This has caused an increase in salinity, pollution, lower water levels, depletion of stocks and deterioration of the groundwater reserves.
Specific areas in Abu Dhabi have been prohibited from digging new wells due to the depletion of water levels.
A lack of rain this year has also contributed to the reduction of water levels.
Dr Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD said, "Groundwater is considered a non-renewable resource in Abu Dhabi, and its. natural recharge rate is extremely limited. In fact, it only occurs in the Hajar Mountains area. Groundwater represents around 60 per cent of the total water resources used in the emirate, while desalinated water accounts for approximately 30 per cent, and the remaining 10 per cent is attributed to treated wastewater. About 65 per cent of the water resources are used for irrigation in the agricultural sector, forests, gardens and parks."
EAD has also launched a three-year program in 2020 to assess deep underground reservoirs and determine underground storage, its quality and potential for future exploitation.
EAD is also responsible for the Abu Dhabi Groundwater Law issued in 2016 which will strengthen the legal framework and ensures groundwater is utilised efficiently, thus contributing to the long life of water reservoirs.