Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Conservation or Desalination?

Is turning to the seas a responsible, sustainable and sensible option for states desperate to improve the state of water supplies in Western Asia?

By: Angus MacDonald, Stakeholder Forum

A decade ago the answer would surely have been no. The cost of the technology and energy required was prohibitively expensive. However, new resources are being allocated towards desalination as it becomes increasingly economically viable. It was estimated at the Western Asia regional meeting on Monday that 1 cubic meter of water costs $0.50 to desalinate. Some states argued that this is economically viable in light of increasing water shortages. Although it remains energy intensive some states in the Gulf have desalination programmes. Many states in the region are surrounded by sea or have vast coastal areas so desalination could be the solution to water scarcity, argue some states. Western Asia, spanning parts of the Sahara and the hot, arid Gulf, is facing increasing water shortages. In some areas precipitation has decreased by 50% exacerbating the problems of drought and desertification. Only 1% of the region’s water is freshwater.

Sustainable saving

However, it seems short sighted to engage in energy intensive and costly desalination when demand management would be more environmentally sustainable in the long term. Nobody disputes that the region is strained in terms of water supply, but there is a pressing need to manage demand and initiate public awareness programmes of water conservation. It is much easier to save water, than take it from the sea for $0.50c per cubit meter. Wider demand management practices are needed, as there is currently far too much waste of water in domestic and industrial processes. We should encourage recycling and reuse rather than desalinate.

Politics...

The problem seems to be that it is politically easier to plough resources into boosting water supply through expensive and energy intensive desalination. It is a lot easier than trying to make citizens, industry and agriculture to consume less water, which could also be politically difficult. People do not like being told they have to consume less. But difficult choices have to be made and implemented for the long-term benefit of the region. Desalination can be part of the solution but it should be complemented by demand management policies to try and alleviate current and future water shortages.