Saudi Arabia boosts desalinated water supply among Vision 2030 goals

By Abbas Nazil

Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its desalinated water production, which now accounts for 50 percent of the nation’s distributed water supply, up from 44 percent in 2022.

This marks a 31 percent rise in desalinated seawater output, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving sustainable water resource management as part of its Vision 2030 goals.

Official data from the General Authority for Statistics reveal that this progress aligns with strategic efforts to reduce dependency on non-renewable groundwater and address acute water scarcity challenges.

In parallel, Saudi Arabia saw a notable 7 percent decrease in non-renewable groundwater consumption by the agricultural sector, which dropped to 9,356 million cubic meters in 2023 from 10,044 million cubic meters in the previous year.

This reduction reflects the growing shift toward preserving vital water resources and embracing renewable alternatives.

Renewable groundwater abstraction increased to 21 percent of total groundwater usage, while non-renewable groundwater abstraction declined by 6 percent.

Additionally, water reuse consumption surged by 12 percent to 555 million cubic meters, signaling advancements in recycling and conservation initiatives.

Despite agriculture remaining the largest consumer of water, using 12,298 million cubic meters in 2023, its expenditure share on water accounted for just 0.5 percent of total water costs.

Meanwhile, the industrial sector dominated water-related expenditures, absorbing 61.4 percent of costs as it relied heavily on distributed water for its operations.

The industrial sector also saw a significant increase in its share of distributed water usage, rising to 30 percent in 2023 from 22 percent in 2022, driven by the Kingdom’s push for economic diversification and industrial expansion under Vision 2030.

Per capita household water consumption also showed a decline, dropping from 112.8 liters per day in 2022 to 102.1 liters in 2023, highlighting ongoing efforts to optimize water usage across various sectors.

Nevertheless, non-renewable groundwater remains the dominant source, accounting for 62 percent of natural water supply, down from 68 percent in 2022.

This continued reliance highlights the need for further investments in sustainable practices and technologies to mitigate resource depletion.

The Kingdom’s investments in expanding desalination infrastructure and promoting water reuse position Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in addressing water scarcity.

By adopting innovative and sustainable approaches, it aims to secure long-term water availability while achieving its economic and environmental objectives.

The agriculture sector, in particular, presents opportunities to enhance sustainability through improved irrigation techniques and crop diversification.

Saudi Arabia’s water strategy exemplifies its commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental stewardship, setting the stage for a more sustainable future in the face of significant resource challenges. END

Source: Arab News