Dubai: Fixing a leaking tap can help save more than 11,000 litres of water annually, which will result in reduced utility bills as well, a top official from a wastewater treatment company in Abu Dhabi said.
Eng. Mohamed Al Hebsi, Engineering Services Department Manager, TAQA Water Solutions – the sole entity behind all wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse in the Abu Dhabi emirate, told Gulf News that community members can make a significant impact by adopting small, mindful changes to reduce water consumption.
“While glacier preservation may feel like a distant problem here in the UAE, climate change has no borders. The impact of melting glaciers not only causes global sea levels to rise but alters weather patterns across the world. In the UAE, this can mean more extreme weather such as rainfall, cyclones, heatwaves, and droughts.”
Eng. Al Hebsi pointed out that this year’s UN World Water Day, observed today (March 22), highlighted the importance of protecting freshwater resources.
“And just as we’re all impacted by climate change, we can all take action to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the world’s precious water resources. At TAQA Water Solutions, we recycle water to reduce reliance on freshwater sources and do so in a way that is less energy-intensive.”
Be mindful of your water usage
“Many of us don’t realise how much water we waste daily. Simple actions like cutting your shower time by two minutes can save about 38 litres and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes prevents wasting up to 15 litres per minute. Be mindful of your habits – take shorter showers, turn off taps when it’s not in use, and only run dishwashers or washing machines with full loads. Also, when washing hands, wet your hands, turn off the tap while lathering, then rinse.”
Fix leaks immediately
“A dripping tap can waste over 11,000 litres of water annually – enough to fill a swimming pool. Leaky pipes and fixtures are major sources of water wastage, so fix them promptly. To check for hidden leaks, compare your water metre readings before and after two hours of no water use. If the reading changes, you likely have an issue.”
Make it a community effort
“Water conservation is a collective effort, not just an individual responsibility. Join community initiatives like clean-up drives, water-saving workshops, or tree-planting events to make a bigger impact. Start conversations about water-saving practices in your neighbourhood, workplace, school or mosque.”
