As global focus shifts to building and creating sustainable ecosystems, the Middle East faces a looming water shortage that requires attention to ensure a sustainable future. Due to insufficient water resources, the region’s populated hubs have relied, for the most part, on desalination to satisfy the growing demand on fresh water, resulting in unfavourable impacts on the environment.
The United Arab Emirates, one of the region’s major economic centres, is also one of the most water-scarce in the world. Having the highest per capita water consumption globally, the country faces an impending water depletion problem. With the population rapidly on the rise and the heavy dependence on desalination having negative effects on the environment and wellbeing of residents, the UAE must look into alternative solutions to evade water depletion while also reducing any negative impact.
The UAE boasts some of the smartest urban landscapes in the world with modern buildings which provide the ideal base to invest in sustainable water management systems. These sustainable systems utilise IoT technologies, big data and artificial intelligence to manage water resources, allowing managers to monitor and control water distribution and usage, resulting in decisions that improve efficiency and save resources.
Built-in IoT metering devices, real-time sensors and other smart systems are already in place in many private and public-owned buildings around the UAE, which is why the country’s urban landscape is the most suitable place to initiate efforts against water scarcity. Smart water management is all about controlling water usage and integrating these technologies with buildings which means owners/managers can remotely monitor water consumption across all properties, detect leaks and shut-off valves to prevent wastage or collect data on the water flow of a building’s water supply; all ultimately leading to less water consumption, conservation of property and reduced environmental impact.
Now more than ever, it has become crucial for both the public and private sectors in the UAE to implement decisive changes that address the water crisis, knowing that the country’s natural fresh water resources will deplete in just 50 years if consumption continues at the same rate. While implementing large-scale water management systems and infrastructure enhancements, the UAE must also educate the individual and create awareness campaigns, showcasing different ways to help reduce water consumption in households such as using reclaimed water and installing rainwater collection systems which will inevitably reduce the heavy dependence on natural resources.
Knowing that everyone is responsible when it comes to preserving the nation’s precious water supply, we understand that businesses in particular play a huge role in providing a more sustainable outlook, which is why it is crucial for them to do their bit and switch to smart water management.
At 800TEK, we encourage our customers, both residential or commercial, to monitor their utility bills which can help them analyse their performance compared to the previous month or even year, leading to conscious decisions that reduce water usage. We offer leak detection services, consultations and water aerators to reduce water consumption through taps, which in some cases can be reduced by 80%.
Sustainability is the future. At 800TEK, we advise our clients to think beyond today because smart systems are now an investment in their
future also.