Groundwater meets 71% of Abu Dhabi's water needs

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has affirmed that groundwater meets approximately 71 per cent of the emirate's total water needs.

- Sheikha Al Naqbi, Staff Reporter

The increased demand, coupled with prolonged periods of scarce or no rainfall, has led groundwater replenishment rates and groundwater levels to decline.

A report by the Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Environment Sector 2025-2050 explained that the increasing demand for groundwater and its extraction from its reservoirs has exacerbated the scarcity of naturally renewable water resources. This has posed significant environmental challenges that contributed to increased salinity and pollution, declining water levels, depleted stocks, and deteriorated groundwater reserves.

Consequently, some areas in the emirate have been classified as depleted.