4 Hrs
Source:
البلاد
Water Costs in GCC Countries
The article mainly discusses water in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with a focus on the costs of producing desalinated water and how it is managed as a strategic economic resource. It explains that Gulf nations heavily rely on desalination to provide drinking water, generating about half of the world's desalinated water, with some countries nearing almost total dependence on it. The report highlights that Bahrain consumes around 749,000 cubic meters of water daily through a system that includes six desalination plants with a combined capacity of approximately 968,000 cubic meters per day. Government subsidies reduce the per cubic meter price for consumers, but the true costs are influenced by infrastructure investments and energy consumption. Additionally, the article emphasizes that water costs can be reduced by minimizing losses through network upgrades, expanding the use of treated non-potable water in agriculture and industry, and notes that the future trends aim toward lowering costs, improving efficiency, and ensuring sustainability. It also stresses the importance of safeguarding water supply security, especially in light of recent geopolitical tensions. Ultimately, policies should shift from merely increasing production to reducing overall water costs, diversifying energy sources, and enhancing storage solutions to face future challenges.
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