Water Conservation Strategy.

This Strategy concerns a national framework for water conservation at Federal and Emirate levels. It provides a 10 year framework to sustainably manage the UAE’s water resources. The Strategy is based on an integrated approach that considers meeting future water demand from a mix of investment in new water infrastructure and efficiency improvements of existing water supplies. It embraces all water supplies - natural resources, desalination and reclaimed water - and all water uses. Its objectives are: providing an updated and integrated assessment of the UAE’s water resources and their use; providing an understanding of what governs water demand, allocation and use; identifying the options to improve the efficiency of water allocation and use, reduce costs and improve the environment; making recommendations to strengthen federal policy, laws and capacity to comprehensively oversee sound water resources management and use; and. enhancing water security and protect surface water and groundwater resources, marine, and the environment. The Strategy provides an overview of the current institutional frameworks, laws, regulations and standards at the Federal and Emirate levels.
Main sources of water are identified in groundwater, desalinated water and reclaimed water. The Strategy dedicates a Chapter to each of these sources. Other Chapters are dedicated to, among other things, institutions, governance and legal framework, and water conservation options. The actual Strategy is outlined in the last Chapter. Eight initiatives that must be implemented are identified in that Chapter: development of integrated water resources management legislation and standards; improved management of natural water resources and the strategic reserve; national agricultural policy aimed at water conservation; efficiently management of desalinated water; rationalization of water consumption; review and development of clear water pricing and subsidy policies; capacity building and strengthening of local expertise on the concepts of integrated water resources management.
The governance, legal and regulatory frameworks systems are the foundations on which policy and management decisions are developed and implemented. The institutional, legal and regulatory framework for water in the UAE is relatively fragmented and disparate with many different authorities/agencies involved. The Constitution clearly sets out the division of powers between the Federal and the Emirate levels of authority is clearly demarcated within. Whilst water is not mentioned explicitly, by implication of some of its provisions (Articles 23, 120, 121, 122) natural (water) resources are the public property of the Emirates. This provides a solid legal basis to the current system of the Emirates’ exercise of regulatory authority over water resources abstraction, use and protection from pollution. This is further confirmed in laws in effect in the different Emirates such as Abu Dhabi Law of 2006 on Regulation of Drilling of Water Wells. As a result, institutions, legislation and regulations governing natural water resources are engaged mostly at the Emirate level, with the Federal legislature and executive retaining authority for national policy/strategy overview. There are thus seven Emirate organizations with direct responsibilities for managing the natural water resources and the Federal Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) is primarily responsible for strategic level decision-making.