Water Resources Crisis in Saudi Arabia, Challenges and Possible Management Options: An Analytic Review
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is heading towards a severe and rapidly expanding water crisis, which can have negative impacts on the country’s environment and economy. Of the total water consumption in KSA, the agricultural sector accounts for nearly 87% of the total water use and, therefore, any attempt that overlooks this sector will not help in improving the sustainability of the country’s water resources. KSA Vision 2030 gives priority of water use in the agriculture sector for the regions that have natural renewable water resources. It means that there is little concern for making reuse of municipal wastewater for irrigation purposes in any region in general and in water-scarce regions in particular. The use of treated wastewater is very limited in Saudi Arabia, but it has very considerable potential for future expansion due its numerous beneficial uses. This study reviews the current situation of water resources in Saudi Arabia, providing more highlights on agriculture and wastewater reuse. The reviewed study is proposing some corrective measures for development and better management of water resources in the Kingdom. Suggestions also include consideration of treated water as an alternative source for irrigation in some regions of the country. The study concluded that a sustainable solution for the water crisis in KSA requires implementation of multiple measures in an integrated manner. The integrated solution plan should focus on two main directions: first, improving the current management practices of the existing water resources; second, developing new water supplies from both conventional and non-conventional sources.
[1] Frenken, Karen. "Irrigation in the Middle East region in figures AQUASTAT Survey-2008." Water Reports 34 (2009).
[2] Abderrahman, Walid A. "Groundwater resources management in Saudi Arabia." Special Presentation and Water Conservation Workshop, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 2006.
[3] Population growth (annual %). (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=SA
[4] Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/countries_regions/SAU/
[5] FAO (2018). Aquastate Survey: Saudi Arabia. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved September 15, 2018, from http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/query/results.html.
[6] Water Demand and Supply in Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/110554/12/13_chapter4.pdf.
[7] Picow, Maurice. Saudi Arabia Opens World’s Largest Desalination Plant (May 14, 2009). Retrieved from http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/05/saudi-arabia-desalination/.
[8] Negewo, Bekele Debele, ed. Renewable energy desalination: an emerging solution to close the water gap in the Middle East and North Africa. World Bank Publications, 2012.
[9] Saline Water Conservation Corporation, "Annual Report for Operation & Maintenance", Saline Water Conservation Corporation (2010): 20-35.
[10] Market, Global Water. "Meeting the world’s water and wastewater needs until 2020." Global Water Intelligence 18.5 (2017).
[11] Abu-Rizaiza, O. S. "Modification of the standards of wastewater reuse in Saudi Arabia." Water Research 33.11 (1999): 2601-2608.
[12] Drewes, Jörg E., C. Patricio Roa Garduño, and Gary L. Amy. "Water reuse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia–status, prospects and research needs." Water Science and Technology: Water Supply 12.6 (2012): 926-936.
[13] Dreizin, Yosef. "Ashkelon seawater desalination project—off-taker’s self costs, supplied water costs, total costs and benefits." Desalination 190.1-3 (2006): 104-116.
[14] Dolnicar, Sara, and Andrea I. Schäfer. "Desalinated versus recycled water: public perceptions and profiles of the accepters." Journal of Environmental Management 90.2 (2009): 888-900.
[15] Ouda, Omar KM. "Treated wastewater use in Saudi Arabia: challenges and initiatives." International Journal of Water Resources Development 32.5 (2016): 799-809.
[16] KICP, K. "Promoting Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Technology Trends, Innovation Needs, and Business Oppurtunities." (2011).
[17] Al Farawati, Radwan Kh, et al. "Reclaimed municipal wastewater used for the irrigation of green areas in Jeddah: 1–chemical characteristics." J KAU Mar Sci 19 (2008): 121-146.
[18] Napoli, Christopher, et al. "Policy Options for Reducing Water for Agriculture in Saudi Arabia." Assessing Global Water Megatrends. Springer, Singapore, 2018. 211-230.
[19] White, S., et al. "Water markets of the United States and the world: A strategic analysis for the Milwaukee Water Council Milwaukee, Wisconsin." Milwaukee: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education (2010).
[20] Mahmoud, Shereif H., and A. A. Alazba. "Identification of potential sites for groundwater recharge using a GIS-based decision support system in Jazan region-Saudi Arabia." Water resources management 28.10 (2014): 3319-3340.
[21] Jensen, M. E., W. R. Rangeley, and P. J. Dieleman. "Irrigation trends in world agriculture." Agronomy 30 (1990): 31-67.
[22] Azhar, A. H., M. N. Bhutta, and M. Latif. "Reclamation irrigated agriculture through tile drainage at Fourth Drainage Project, Faisalabad." J Anim Plant Sci 20.3 (2010): 211-216.
[23] Azhar, A. H., M. M. Alam, and M. Latif. "Subsurface drainage impacts on cropping intensity in Pakistan." The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (Pakistan) (2011).
[24] Aboneama, Wael A. "Creating a Unique Sustainable Rating System for Saudi Arabia to Achieve Environmental Assessment and 2030 Vision." European Journal of Sustainable Development 7.4 (2018): 269-279
[25] Mahmoud, Magdy, and Samir Mahmud Adam Abdalla. "Managing Infrastructure Water and Petroleum Demand in KSA by GIS." International Journal of Computer (IJC) 10.1 (2013): 18-41.
[26] Allan, Tony. "Productive efficiency and allocative efficiency: why better water management may not solve the problem." Agricultural water management 40.1 (1999): 71-75.
[27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Agricultural Statistical Yearbook. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (2009).
[28] Papadopoulos, I. "Wastewater management for agriculture protection in the Near East Region." Technical Bulletin, FAO, Regional Office for the Near East, Cairo, Egypt (1995).
[1] Frenken, Karen. "Irrigation in the Middle East region in figures AQUASTAT Survey-2008." Water Reports 34 (2009).
[2] Abderrahman, Walid A. "Groundwater resources management in Saudi Arabia." Special Presentation and Water Conservation Workshop, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 2006.
[3] Population growth (annual %). (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=SA
[4] Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2018, from http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/countries_regions/SAU/
[5] FAO (2018). Aquastate Survey: Saudi Arabia. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved September 15, 2018, from http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/query/results.html.
[6] Water Demand and Supply in Saudi Arabia. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/110554/12/13_chapter4.pdf.
[7] Picow, Maurice. Saudi Arabia Opens World’s Largest Desalination Plant (May 14, 2009). Retrieved from http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/05/saudi-arabia-desalination/.
[8] Negewo, Bekele Debele, ed. Renewable energy desalination: an emerging solution to close the water gap in the Middle East and North Africa. World Bank Publications, 2012.
[9] Saline Water Conservation Corporation, "Annual Report for Operation & Maintenance", Saline Water Conservation Corporation (2010): 20-35.
[10] Market, Global Water. "Meeting the world’s water and wastewater needs until 2020." Global Water Intelligence 18.5 (2017).
[11] Abu-Rizaiza, O. S. "Modification of the standards of wastewater reuse in Saudi Arabia." Water Research 33.11 (1999): 2601-2608.
[12] Drewes, Jörg E., C. Patricio Roa Garduño, and Gary L. Amy. "Water reuse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia–status, prospects and research needs." Water Science and Technology: Water Supply 12.6 (2012): 926-936.
[13] Dreizin, Yosef. "Ashkelon seawater desalination project—off-taker’s self costs, supplied water costs, total costs and benefits." Desalination 190.1-3 (2006): 104-116.
[14] Dolnicar, Sara, and Andrea I. Schäfer. "Desalinated versus recycled water: public perceptions and profiles of the accepters." Journal of Environmental Management 90.2 (2009): 888-900.
[15] Ouda, Omar KM. "Treated wastewater use in Saudi Arabia: challenges and initiatives." International Journal of Water Resources Development 32.5 (2016): 799-809.
[16] KICP, K. "Promoting Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Technology Trends, Innovation Needs, and Business Oppurtunities." (2011).
[17] Al Farawati, Radwan Kh, et al. "Reclaimed municipal wastewater used for the irrigation of green areas in Jeddah: 1–chemical characteristics." J KAU Mar Sci 19 (2008): 121-146.
[18] Napoli, Christopher, et al. "Policy Options for Reducing Water for Agriculture in Saudi Arabia." Assessing Global Water Megatrends. Springer, Singapore, 2018. 211-230.
[19] White, S., et al. "Water markets of the United States and the world: A strategic analysis for the Milwaukee Water Council Milwaukee, Wisconsin." Milwaukee: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education (2010).
[20] Mahmoud, Shereif H., and A. A. Alazba. "Identification of potential sites for groundwater recharge using a GIS-based decision support system in Jazan region-Saudi Arabia." Water resources management 28.10 (2014): 3319-3340.
[21] Jensen, M. E., W. R. Rangeley, and P. J. Dieleman. "Irrigation trends in world agriculture." Agronomy 30 (1990): 31-67.
[22] Azhar, A. H., M. N. Bhutta, and M. Latif. "Reclamation irrigated agriculture through tile drainage at Fourth Drainage Project, Faisalabad." J Anim Plant Sci 20.3 (2010): 211-216.
[23] Azhar, A. H., M. M. Alam, and M. Latif. "Subsurface drainage impacts on cropping intensity in Pakistan." The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (Pakistan) (2011).
[24] Aboneama, Wael A. "Creating a Unique Sustainable Rating System for Saudi Arabia to Achieve Environmental Assessment and 2030 Vision." European Journal of Sustainable Development 7.4 (2018): 269-279
[25] Mahmoud, Magdy, and Samir Mahmud Adam Abdalla. "Managing Infrastructure Water and Petroleum Demand in KSA by GIS." International Journal of Computer (IJC) 10.1 (2013): 18-41.
[26] Allan, Tony. "Productive efficiency and allocative efficiency: why better water management may not solve the problem." Agricultural water management 40.1 (1999): 71-75.
[27] MOA (Ministry of Agriculture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Agricultural Statistical Yearbook. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (2009).
[28] Papadopoulos, I. "Wastewater management for agriculture protection in the Near East Region." Technical Bulletin, FAO, Regional Office for the Near East, Cairo, Egypt (1995).
@article{"International Journal of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences:78424", author = "A. A. Ghanim", title = "Water Resources Crisis in Saudi Arabia, Challenges and Possible Management Options: An Analytic Review", abstract = "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is heading towards a severe and rapidly expanding water crisis, which can have negative impacts on the country’s environment and economy. Of the total water consumption in KSA, the agricultural sector accounts for nearly 87% of the total water use and, therefore, any attempt that overlooks this sector will not help in improving the sustainability of the country’s water resources. KSA Vision 2030 gives priority of water use in the agriculture sector for the regions that have natural renewable water resources. It means that there is little concern for making reuse of municipal wastewater for irrigation purposes in any region in general and in water-scarce regions in particular. The use of treated wastewater is very limited in Saudi Arabia, but it has very considerable potential for future expansion due its numerous beneficial uses. This study reviews the current situation of water resources in Saudi Arabia, providing more highlights on agriculture and wastewater reuse. The reviewed study is proposing some corrective measures for development and better management of water resources in the Kingdom. Suggestions also include consideration of treated water as an alternative source for irrigation in some regions of the country. The study concluded that a sustainable solution for the water crisis in KSA requires implementation of multiple measures in an integrated manner. The integrated solution plan should focus on two main directions: first, improving the current management practices of the existing water resources; second, developing new water supplies from both conventional and non-conventional sources.", keywords = "Saudi Arabia, water resources, water crisis, treated wastewater. ", volume = "13", number = "2", pages = "51-6", }
