Kuwait Roadmap to Water Security: Strategies and Success Stories.

Desalination is the initial step, then. We are one of the world leaders in desalination, the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to make it suitable for human consumption and irrigation.

Elaborating further on such developments, Hebah Abbas, Technical Advisor, and Sustainability Committee Chairwoman at KWA (Kuwait Water Association) stated, “The country operates several large-scale desalination plants. While this process is energy-intensive, Kuwait is looking into more efficient and environmentally friendly methods, such as reverse osmosis and the use of renewable energy to power these plants. The MENA region holds 48 percent of desalinated water produced each day worldwide and governments are accelerating their efforts to increase their investment in the industry through PPP initiatives”.

The reuse of treated wastewater is the focus of the second section. Treated wastewater is used for a variety of purposes such as irrigation, freeing up more potable water for human consumption. Integrating renewable energy into wastewater treatment to make the process more sustainable and cost-effective.

Campaigns to encourage water conservation among the general public have also been established by the government. This includes public education programs to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and regulations to promote water-efficient appliances and fixtures.

As a non-governmental organization, Kuwait Water Association is essential in the country's efforts to ensure reliable access to clean water. Since its founding in 2012, KWA has focused on training government sectors in water efficiency and implementing projects to raise awareness about water conservation.

Many meetings and discussions are held there amongst various government agencies. They like this friendly rivalry in which they vie to see who can save the most money and amass the most accurate records. And the follow-up doesn't end once the training is over.

KWA has conducted field studies in water efficiency with various government ministries, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, and the Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy. These studies were based on IOT, smart metering and real-time measurements. The data was then analyzed to provide valuable insights into the water use practices of these sectors and help identify areas for improvement.

In addition, modern irrigation techniques are point number four. Drip irrigation and hydroponics are two examples of innovative irrigation methods being used to reduce water waste in the agricultural sector. Naturally, using these methods decreases the amount of water required for the crops.

“We have also poured resources into research and innovation to discover cutting-edge techniques for water preservation. Among these are the refinement of desalination processes, the improvement of seawater treatment procedures, and the exploration of non-traditional water supplies. The aforementioned initiatives are merely the tip of the iceberg of Kuwait's sustainable water initiatives. It's a multi-pronged, multifaceted strategy that incorporates the dissemination of technological advancements, policy changes, and public education in order to address this pressing problem,” stated Abbas.

Challenges In Managing Wastewater.

In order to guarantee and provide a sustainable water supply, wastewater treatment is crucial. Several difficulties exist. The first is the obvious rise in demand. Kuwait's urban population is growing quickly, which means more and more wastewater is being produced. This places a burden on the nation's wastewater treatment facilities.

The second issue is the infrastructure's advanced age as many parts of the wastewater treatment system have to cope with the city's rapidly growing wastewater volume. Consequently, it can cause problems like leaks, which can contaminate the environment. Therefore, the aging population is a global challenge for many nations' energy usage.

Given Kuwait's goal of reducing its carbon footprint, it comes as no surprise that wastewater treatment is an energy-intensive procedure. Water treatment's high energy consumption is a major obstacle. Problems with public opinion and education are also prevalent. It is not easy to execute wastewater reuse programs because of the possible public stigma surrounding the use of treated wastewater, especially for irrigation.

Commenting further on the issue, Abbas stated, “We don't want to talk about problems without suggesting ways to fix them, therefore we've already thought of ways to deal with these issues. Possible answers to these issues may involve things like. Infrastructure upgrades and expansions, We plan to allocate resources towards this. And there are a lot of initiatives in the works right now.  using cutting-edge technologies for treating water and energy recovery from the purification procedure, thus using them can boost treatment efficiency and allow for more effective energy reuse. These are a few potential answers. Obviously, the first step should be a public awareness and education campaign. Public opinion on treated water can benefit from increased knowledge and understanding.”

Call For Support From The Government!

Achieving a net zero agenda in the utility industry is an extremely difficult and multi-faceted endeavor. It calls for a suite of policies that prioritize not just lowering greenhouse gas emissions but also advancing environmentally friendly methods and tools. Therefore, renewable energy Mandates and targets are essential to reaching net zero in the GCC region.

Utility firms should be incentivized to invest in renewable energy sources by the government through tax cuts and subsidies.

Governments should impose stringent energy efficiency criteria on all new construction, including homes and businesses. Heating and cooling are two of the biggest energy drains, therefore it makes sense to mandate the use of energy-efficient appliances.

Grid modernization for the structure - Smart grid technology can aid in the management of an increase in the use of renewable energy, which will necessitate the updating and modernization of utility grids.

Implementing a carbon pricing mechanism, such as a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system, can offer utilities a financial incentive to cut their GHG emissions. Renewable energy and energy efficiency improvement programmes can benefit from the funds generated by these initiatives.

The water-energy nexus - It's crucial to understand the interconnected nature of water and power consumption. Therefore, governments should encourage water-saving devices and methods in the residential and commercial utility sectors, as well as in the water supply and treatment industries. There must be a harmony between our use of water and our use of electricity.

Public-private partnerships (PPPS) allow governments to promote private-sector investments in renewable energy. By working together, we can pool resources like money, knowledge, and creativity, and speed up the move towards a utility sector that uses zero energy.

Governments should run initiatives to educate the public and increase their level of awareness. At the Kuwait Water Association, we're doing our best to spread the word about the initiative. We are also the National Operator for eco-schools in Kuwait, led by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). In addition, we are collaborating with a large number of accredited institutions in Kuwait to green their operations and encourage their students to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

In terms of policy, the implementation and enforcement of a green construction code is crucial since it has the potential to cut energy demand. The usage of renewable power sources and water-saving fixtures may be mandated under these regulations.

“The utility sector can now get closer to its net-zero energy targets because of these policies, continuous technology improvements, and heightened public awareness of climate change. It's true that making the switch will require a lot of work and money, but the long-term advantages to the planet and the economy are undeniable,” opined Abbas.

Way Forward For Kuwait

The current water situation in Kuwait is difficult but can be improved by the use of a number of different measures.

The first is Revising Subsidy Policies. Subsidies can be helpful in making water affordable for all citizens, but they can also encourage overconsumption. Therefore, Kuwait may want to reconsider its subsidy policy in order to promote a more responsible consumption of water. The importance of this cannot be overstated. When each home is given a set amount of free water each month, it only seems sensible that any usage above that amount is paid for. However, there needs to be a fee for excessive usage of anything.

Water conservation can only be achieved by widespread public education and awareness campaigns. Regulations should or may be put in place to mandate the use of water-saving appliances and fixtures in new construction, and incentives might be provided to encourage current homeowners to update to more efficient models.

 The loss of water through breaches in the water distribution system can be substantial, making leak detection and repair crucial. Since water leaks are costly and can shorten the lifespan of a building, preventative maintenance and renovations can help us cut down on these expenditures. The accumulation of moisture could have serious consequences for the health of the building's occupants, especially those with allergies or asthma. Consequently, the detection of leaks is very crucial.

Water reuse is still another technique. Treated wastewater can be recycled for stationary applications like irrigation. The use of water in agriculture is substantial. Implementing more efficient irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, can greatly reduce water usage.

Suggesting further on the subject, Abbas said, “Although desalination uses a lot of energy, it is possible to enhance our region's water supply through ongoing investments in more effective and sustainable desalination methods. It is also crucial to pay attention to water metering and billing. Therefore, implementing water metering for all clients can guarantee that infrastructure is constructed in accordance with actual demand. Consequently, it's more appropriate for individual use than for building-wide use. By adopting these measures, Kuwait will be able to foster more water-wise behaviour among its population while still meeting the needs of all its residents. There must be rigorous planning and policymaking to strike this equilibrium.”

Hebah is the type of person who prefers to put her spare time to good use. At least five times a week, she'll hit the pavement. She loves to jog in the early morning hours, preferably in the park or along the beach. This offers her the mental fortitude to face the day with optimism, decreases her stress, heightens her focus and creativity, and kick-starts her day. She also takes pleasure in reading and spending time with her loved ones.