Water Scarcity by Dr. Motasem Abushaban
Water Scarcity by
Dr. Motasem Abushaban
Water Scarcity by Dr. Motasem Abushaban
In this article, Dr. Motasem discusses a critical global issue: water scarcity. This problem affects different parts of our lives and varies in seriousness from one region to another. Motasem also delves into the technical aspects of water scarcity and discusses strategies for water management.
Facts and Figures
Many people may not grasp the concept of “water scarcity,” despite its frequent mention in the media. While most people worldwide have access to drinking water, communities facing extreme poverty often struggle to obtain it. This lack of awareness leads to a failure to recognize the widespread implications of the issue.
The UN has established an indicator to assess the severity of water scarcity by comparing the available renewable water* to the population. Countries are classified as water-scarce if the per capita renewable water is below 1000 cubic meters annually. It is called absolute water sacristy when this drops to 500 cubic meters annually. The problem of water scarcity is attributed to climate change, a consequence of the industrial revolution, and the continual population growth, which requires higher demands of water, food, and energy.
Most countries in the MENA region face water scarcity issues, with 18 out of 22 currently below the water scarcity threshold. Pakistan and Iran, among others, are working to prevent falling into water scarcity in the near future. These countries employ various strategies to address water scarcity, including managing water leakages in water distribution networks, water-saving measures, water reuse and recycling, and exploring new water resources through advanced water treatment and desalination technologies.
My Experience in Water Recycling Projects
Over the past decade, I have been involved in various interesting water treatment projects. One of these projects focused on improving water productivity and the livelihood of farmers in the Jordan Valley. The project re-used treated wastewater for irrigation. The treated wastewater is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, which enhances crop productivity, and eliminates the use of fertilizers, depending on the tree type. This project is managed by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, in collaboration with the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA), the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Al Balqa University (BAU), and the University of Jordan (UJ). It successfully increased crop yields through nutrient-rich treated wastewater and raised farmers’ awareness about environmental conservation and productivity enhancement. Currently, I am working on another project in Morocco that reuses processed water from industrial plants employing energy-efficient technologies. In partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the National Phosphate Office (OCP), this initiative aims to recycle 90% of the processed water through advanced technologies, saving 20 to 30% of the energy consumption, typically consumed by conventional water treatment technologies.
Water Management Strategies
Water resources management is crucial in tackling water scarcity. Developed countries, for instance, make use of rainwater by harvesting and recycling rainwater from paved urban areas or the roofs of houses. Touch-free sensor taps are another simple way of effective water-saving measures. Addressing water scarcity requires action at various levels, from individual to governmental level. It is essential to develop advanced strategies to manage water resources effectively and decrease water consumption.
Several innovative technologies are currently used to desalinate seawater and brackish groundwater. However, these technologies consume a lot of energy compared to conventional water treatment processes. The most common desalination technology is the reverse osmosis* membranes.
Water desalination technologies differ in efficiency and cost, with some being very costly and infeasible to be applied in some developing countries. As a result, these countries put significant effort into developing local and affordable alternative technologies. Nevertheless, water desalination costs decreased by 75% over 25 years, eventually reaching USD 0.36 per cubic meter in certain plants due to research and development of new materials and technologies as well as the higher demand for water desalination applications.
Like any other technology, reverse osmosis membranes have disadvantages. They typically consume high energy and produce huge quantities of brine that is discharged into the sea or valleys, negatively impacting marine life and groundwater quality, respectively. Energy generators emit carbon, polluting the air, harming the ozone layer, and creating noise pollution.
Water Scarcity Future Prospects
The world is increasingly embracing the Water Energy Food NEXUS strategy, which interlinks energy, water, and food security to optimize the use of these resources. For instance, water is essential for irrigation and energy generation, while water production and irrigation require energy. Some countries are now shifting to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, alongside utilizing water to produce green hydrogen, a clean energy source. The shift towards green hydrogen is projected to grow as a key energy source in the future, reducing global carbon dioxide emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change and the environmental impact caused by the use of fossil fuels.