Dubai to switch to full water recycling by 2030

The Dubai Municipality (DM) has announced that it plans to switch to full water recycling by 2030, reducing its consumption of desalinated water and the energy it uses by 30 per cent. The water reuse programme supports the United Arab Emirates’ vision of a green economy.

Currently, 90 per cent of water in Dubai is reused, saving more than AED 2 billion a year. In addition to conserving vital natural resources, water reuse saves electricity needed for desalination and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

According to Daoud Al Hajri, CEO of DM, the Dubai government has long recognised that water conservation is crucial for future generations, and today water reuse has become a key part of the municipality’s efforts to make the Emirate a global centre for the green economy.

Already, Dubai is using reclaimed water to irrigate green spaces. The city’s network, some 2,400 kilometres long, covers most neighbourhoods, including public gardens and parks, as well as areas of residential complexes. According to statistics, about 22 million cubic metres of recycled water is used every month.

In addition, reclaimed water is used for a variety of purposes, from centralised cooling systems to firefighting. In 2022, more than 6 million cubic metres of recycled water was used in central cooling stations, saving around Dh7.1 million and significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

For 50 years now, DM has been continuously working on a full water recycling programme. The Emirate began this journey in 1969 when the city’s first wastewater treatment plant was built in the Al Khawanej neighbourhood. Between 1980 and 2022, Dubai produced more than 4.5 billion cubic metres of recycled water, and by 2030, Dubai aims to double production to more than 8 billion cubic metres.

Source: Khaleej Times

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