Water scarcity leaves scientists thirsty for solution Trickling away.

(From Gulf News)

Byline: Special Report

A Unesco hydrologist warned that some hard decisions have to be taken to maintain water resources in the region.

"Water is life," said Radwan Al Weshah, regional advisor of the international organisation, who said that out of 22 Arab nations, 17 countries are under the water poverty line.

Half of these 17 nations also fall under the category of being under water stress, meaning that they do not have enough water to produce their own food or meet the domestic consumption demands of their people.

"Shortage of water is a major constraint for social and integrated development in the Arab world. It is a challenge for us as scientists to bridge the gap between the increasing demand and the decreasing supply of water," he said.

World's highest consumption

The UAE has the world's highest per capita consumption of water of more than 500 litres per person per day. America is the next highest with 322 litres.

"But the United States has the Great Lakes which contain a fifth of all the fresh water on Earth," said Dr Zeinelabidin S. Rizk, Dean, Institute of Environment, Water and Energy at the Ajman University of Science and Technology Network.

Abu Dhabi has the highest consumption (about 375 litres per person per day) than any of the other six emirates, said Mike Brook, manager, water resources at ERWDA (Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency).

"The subsidy for water is higher in Abu Dhabi than in Dubai," he said and sought restructuring of the water tariff to curb consumption.

He also pointed out the need for measuring and metering water. He said no one knows how …