Status of Groundwater Governance at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr. Ahmed A. Murad Geology Department, UAE University

Transcription

1 Status of Groundwater Governance at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dr. Ahmed A. Murad Geology Department, UAE University Amman, Jordan 8 October 10 October 2012 Regional Consultation on the Groundwater Resources Governance in the Arab States Region

2 Hydrologic Features (Department of Metrology, Ministry of Economy, 2007) (After FAO, 2005) Mediterranean Sea A S I A Arabian Gulf Evapotranspiration 1,000-1,250 mm/year 1,250-1,500 mm/year 1,500-1,750 mm/year 1,750-2,000 mm/year 2,000-2,250 mm/year 2,250-2,500 mm/year 2,500-2,750 mm/year > 2,750 mm/year R e d S e a Arabian Sea Atlantic Ocean A F R I C A Indian Ocean Evapotranspiration Map

3 Major aquifers in UAE After Rizk et al., 1997

4 Groundwater Dependency (%)

5 Cultivated Area Ground water Productions Cultivated Area Groundwater Water Productions Groundwater productions (millions gallons) Groundwater productions (millions gallons) Challenges facing Groundwater Sustainability Population Growths Impact 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000, , , , , Population in Abu Dhabi Groundw ater Productions (millions gallons) 700, , , , , , , Population in Northern Emirates Groundwater Productions (millions gallons) Year Year Agricultural Activities Impact Abu Dhabi Northern and Eastern Emirates Year Year 8800 The cultivated Area in Abu Dhabi Groundwater Productions The cultivated Area in Northern Emirates Groundwater Productions

6 Groundwater Salinity Map (Ministry of Environment and Water, 2009)

7 Data Scattering Water Data are scattering and not organized (Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Environment and Water, Water Authorities, Municipalities, etc). Data scattering will affect the scientific results and research.

8 Groundwater Governance Management of Groundwater resources through: Responsibility Participation Information availability Transparency Custom Rule of Law

9 Responsibility There are different institutions and governmental organizations involved in groundwater governance in UAE. These are: Ministry of Environment and Water, Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD),Environment and Protected Areas Authority-Sharjah (EPAA),Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA)- Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA),Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEWA), Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) & Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). The existing institutions are in federal and local governmental levels. Those institutions are strongly cooperating and also supported by each other to do their tasks.

10 Participation The community participated actively in awareness campaigns: National Awareness Campaign Water Saving Campaign Rethink Your Lifestyle Ministry of Education with cooperation with water-related organizations started to include topics related to water to educate students the importance of water as one of the main natural resources and how they can help to conserve water. Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi conducted Abu Dhabi Water Collaboration Meeting in November 2010 that gather all local governmental entities and stakeholders: To coordinate approach to resolving water issues To share best practices. To better understand the issues for a better targeted response. To link water to climate change in a comprehensive way. To jointly develop scenarios and solutions. To use our resources (money + people) more effectively. To be more transparent.

11 Information Availability Water related Data are available at different levels. Website information for all water related entities also available. Reports and documents are mostly available to the public. But those information are: Scattered and not well-organized Lack of sufficient data Data are partially analyzed Sometimes access to the data is difficult

12 Transparency There are different meetings between stakeholders and governmental waterrelated organizations to discuss different aspects related to the water. The purpose of those meetings is to be more transparent. Ex: Abu Dhabi Water Collaboration Meeting (November, 2010)

13 Water Laws Regulating drilling the groundwater in Abu Dhabi (Decree 6, 2006). Current water polices in the UAE emphasized on protecting and development of water resources (Decree 32, 1999).

14 Falaj System The falaj is man made stream or water path which connects the groundwater at the foot slopes of the mountains and transports it to the surface for irrigation and other uses. Recharge Area S h a f t s After Rizk, 1997 T u n n e l Open Canal Water Distribution Zone Recharge Area S h a f t s Palm Oasis Water Table Saturated Zone Unsaturated Zone

15 Falaj System The falaj is the best system the represent different components of groundwater governance (Responsibility, Participation, Transparency, Custom & Law)

16 Summary of Groundwater Governance in UAE Groundwater governance exists in UAE. The falaj is the system that represents the components of groundwater governance. The government is working with stakeholders to improve the governance in different levels. Level of participation should be increased. Transparency should be improved. Laws and regulations should be enforced strictly. Information availability should be organized. Thank Your For Listening