ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: With Abu Dhabi Emirate’s current annual water use twenty six times larger than its annually renewable natural water resources, there is an urgent need for implementation of programmes and projects to improve water management and rationalize water use in all sectors. An analysis of all water produced shows that the vast majority (79%) is groundwater abstracted from boreholes and shallow hand dug wells and given declining water levels, and a general deterioration in groundwater quality, the protection and conservation of all groundwater, irrespective of its quality, is of vital importance. This paper describes the groundwater resources and water management issues and challenges associated with the various groundwater sector users in Abu Dhabi Emirate. A three year programme of numerous collaborative projects and activities with some of the twenty or so other stakeholders involved with either producing or using water in the Emirate commenced in 2002 and has resulted in the general consensus for the requirement for one body to be provided the responsibility for water resources management. In February, 2005, the mandate for groundwater management, including exploration, assessment and monitoring was given to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). The activities of EAD, which are described herein, now largely focus on the priorities of regulation of water use, protection and monitoring of Water Resources, developing a central water database and managing strategic water reserves.
