Water for posterity

Recent studies showed that each Bahraini consumes up to 252 litres of water a day, a figure that was considered a very high rate of individual water consumption by officials in the country.

Latest statistics showed that Bahrainis consumed around 100 litres of water more, in comparison with the individuals’ consumption rates in regional countries with similar conditions, such as Singapore, where one person’s consumption didn’t exceed 150 litre/day.

It was revealed during a two-day workshop organised by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry and Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) recently on the internal water extensions systems for buildings in Bahrain.

At the event, EWA’s Rationalisation of Electricity and Water Consumption Director Rana Salloom said, “The daily amount of water pumped into Bahrain’s domestic water networks exceeds 170 million gallons. In that, the percentage of underground water is only two percent. This shows that Bahrain is witnessing an unprecedented growth in water consumption rates.” “It’s alarming, considering that we live in one of the driest areas of the world.” 

Salloom said, “The high water consumption rates for individuals in Bahrain also indicate high financial burdens for the state, which is tasked to provide this fundamental service.”

 “Internal water extensions systems for buildings that was introduced in Bahrain in 2010 is considered as one of the most important initiatives by the authority in the field of rationalising household water consumption rates in the country,” she added.

Speaking at the event, Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Joint Municipal Services Raed Al Salah called upon establishments in the private sector to join hands with the government to pursue vital goals like reserving resources.

As reported earlier, Bahrain’s water reserves and individual water usage rates have increased during the past decade.

A detailed seven-page report of Energy Ministry also showed that more water plants were constructed in different parts of the island during the same period.  “By the end of 2016, Bahrain’s water reserves are estimated to be around 617 million gallons, which are sufficient for three days of consumption, and daily production is expected to rise to 190 million gallons,” it stated.