Potable Water in UAE: An Overview of Water Characteristics and Sources of Contamination

Abstract

This research aims to provide information about the characteristics of safe drinking water in UAE, identify the causes of water pollution, the treatment process of both wastewater and water, as well as, some sustainability water projects in the UAE. Using secondary data sources, we’ve found that UAE’s water characteristics are classified into three main categories which are: Physical, chemical and biological characteristics that describe UAE’s water using standards and parameters. In addition, it was found that pollutants can affect both groundwater and surface water. The main sources of groundwater contamination are septic tanks effluents, over-pumping of wells, and agricultural activities. On the other hand, the main causes of marine water contamination are increased population and development which lead to increased wastes dumping in water, sediment dredge and fill operations and atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Wastewater treatment in UAE is illustrated by giving Al-Ruwais wastewater treatment plant as an example in where wastewater undergoes screening, aeration, multiple types of filtration and disinfection to produce water suitable for irrigation and some industrial activities. For domestic purposes, water is pretreated, desalinated then enriched with essential minerals. It was found also that UAE has many projects to ensure sustainability as using clean renewable resources for water desalination, harnessing resulting brine to produce salts, completely relying on treated wastewater for industrial and agricultural activities, and projects for decreasing irrigation water demands and carbon footprints as Badia Farms and Porous Alpha technology. Finally, we recommend using an integrated water protection system where water is protected and controlled in catchments, treatment plants, and distribution systems.