RECLAIMED WATER RE-USE – AN OVERVIEW OF PRACTICES, STANDARDS AND PHILOSOPHIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOCUSING ON THE ARABIAN GULF

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates are renowned for their environmental stewardship. In particular, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is covered with trees, this despite the fact that the region is classified as desert receiving only a few mm of rain per year. This has been achieved largely because all of the sewage receives tertiary treatment and 100% is re-used. Concurrently, all the biosolids are converted to compost.The primary consideration in the re-use of reclaimed water (treated effluent) is the protection of human health. In hot arid areas, reclaimed water is a commodity that should not be understated. However, not all the countries in the Arabian Gulf have a common set of standards.The recent Aqua Abu Dhabi 2000 Conference identified the need for a common effluent re-use standard across the Gulf as well as the need for a public education program to highlight importance of this valuable resource. For example the terminology Reclaimed Water has a more positive connotation than Treated Effluent.