Gulf states face critical water shortage

ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council is facing a regional water crisis.

Officials said GCC states could see the extent of their water shortage double from the current deficit of 15 billion cubic meters to 31 billion cubic meters by 2025. The deficit reflects increasing water consumption. One idea being explored is to import water from Iran. Kuwait is already discussing the idea. Another proposal is to form a regional grid for GCC states.

The issue is being discussed during a Gulf water conference in Doha. The four-day conference ends on Tuesday. Officials said water consumption in the GCC has risen sharply since 1980 due to population growth. Regional population is estimated at three percent a year.

A report presented at the Doha conference said desalination constitutes only a small amount of water resources in the region. The report said underground resources provides 90 percent of water. Eight percent of water comes from desalination of sea water. Two percent comes from recycling.

Water demand among GCC countries reached 26 billion cubic meters of water a year. In 1980, that demand was reported at 6 billion cubic meters a year.

The report warns that existing desalination plans are not the answer for additional resources. The report raises the prospect of desertification and deterioration in the quality of water.

On Tuesday, another water conference begins in the Gulf — this time in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The Water Technologies and Conservation Exhibition will discuss conservation and desalination. The UAE is said to have the best water conservation project in the Middle East.