A major data collection scheme spearheaded by environmental campaigners can help the UAE avoid a water crisis.
Water levels have been assessed at tens of thousands of wells as part of wide-ranging efforts to protect the vital natural resource.
The country's water consumption was recently branded a 'huge concern" by a UAE minister and the Emirates is among the world's 10 most arid states, while about 15 per cent of the planet's desalinated water is consumed here.
About 51 per cent of the UAE’s water supply comes from groundwater and demand is such that a UAE University report in 2015 warned that the country’s water supplies could be depleted within the next few decades.
But the UAE is turning a corner in its effort to ensure residents aren't left high and dry in the future.
With the world’s population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, demand for diminishing natural resources like fresh water and fertile agricultural land will only increase.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE's energy minister, said Emirati homes alone consume 44 per cent of the country’s water consumption.
Emiratis constitute about 10 to 15 per cent of the population, depending on estimates.
Ahmed Baharoon, executive director of environmental science, information and outreach sector at Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, said using the correct data can help predict the future demands of UAE and help safeguard water supplies for future generations.
“Data is an important weapon these days, and it helps us to make good environmental decisions,” he said.
“Without it we would not have any information on how to best build our future.
“With the right environmental information, we can analyse data and predict what is likely to happen.
“The UAE is in a much better position now in this area than a decade ago.”
Results from a recent comprehensive groundwater assessment included extensive subterranean mapping and establishing of a wells inventory.
Since 2015, the project has had three phases, with a first ‘groundwater atlas’ developed to include a soil salinity survey of agricultural farms across the country.
By December 2017, researchers had collected data from 118,000 wells and 1,150 small scale desalination plants used for agriculture.
Water levels were measured and recorded in 40,000 wells, and feedback on water supplies offered from the Abu Dhabi Farmers Service Centre and the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority.
The environment agency has added that information to a database for researchers to evaluate and assess crucial information on groundwater levels in the UAE.
“This information has changed our consumption behaviour, as we now know where our most valuable water sources are, and how we can preserve it for the future,” said Mr Baharoon.
“The UAE is very arid, and the lack of rain means there is not a reliable recharge mechanism.
“This data has made us more aware of the issues we are facing.
“Cloud seeding has made an impact, but we are not counting on it.
“We have a national strategic reserve in the Al Dhafra that is man-made and underground — an emergency supply should we need it.
“We have to adapt, be creative and innovative to live and prosper in this region.”
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Emergency water supplies are collected at the Liwa Strategic Water Reserve, considered the largest global project of its kind.
An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, or aquifer, can be used as a source of water extraction.
The Liwa aquifer is recharged with desalinated water to refresh the groundwater quality, increasing freshwater reserves.
The total injected desalinated water, or stored water, is about 25.5 million cubic metres, equivalent to providing around 180 litres a day for the population of Abu Dhabi for 90 days, in case of an emergency.
In December 2017, the project was updated with a new system of recharge basins, recovery wells, pipelines, surface tanks and pumping stations.
The improvements have allowed the aquifer to be pumped with 31,822 cubic metres of desalinated water a day over a two-year period to strengthen reserves, and serve the needs of the Northern Emirates and Al Ain in an emergency.
Worldwide, the UN estimates 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, while 4.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.
Speaking at the United Nations Global Data Forum, the UN environment department said global populations were edging closer towards a water crisis.
“Billions of people still lack safe water, sanitation and handwashing facilities,” said Alexandre Caldas, chief of country outreach, at UN Environment.
“Increasing wastewater in many parts of the world is profoundly affecting the quality and amount of water available to meet human needs and sustain ecosystems.”
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, Andrea Atzeni, Charles Hills
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: New Trails, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Mnasek, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: D’bai, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Summer Romance, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,400m. Winner: Al Ajeeb W’Rsan, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jaci Wickham (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m racing. Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Onward, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Prep Rated Conditions (PA) Dh 125,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: AF Arrab, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 90,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Irish Freedom, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Health Valley
Founded in 2002 and set up as a foundation in 2006, Health Valley has been an innovation in healthcare for more than 10 years in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
It serves as a place where companies, businesses, universities, healthcare providers and government agencies can collaborate, offering a platform where they can connect and work together on healthcare innovation.
Its partners work on technological innovation, new forms of diagnostics and other methods to make a difference in healthcare.
Its agency consists of eight people, four innovation managers and office managers, two communication advisers and one director. It gives innovation support to businesses and other parties in its network like a broker, connecting people with the right organisation to help them further
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
GOODBYE%20JULIA
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Avatar%20(2009)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJames%20Cameron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Worthington%2C%20Zoe%20Saldana%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scoreline
Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')
Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')
Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'
