Preserving Water

Water is the most vital element in the life cycle, essential not only for humans but for all living beings on Earth. Recognizing its significance, The Kingdom of Bahrain has undertaken numerous national efforts through a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders and institutions within the water sector, both public and private. A key participant in these efforts is The Supreme Council for the Environment. The following are some of the major initiatives spearheaded by the Council:

• The establishment of the Water Resources Council promulgated by Decree-Law No. 7 for 1982. The council is responsible for devising the water policies in the country in light of the results of water studies and surveys and protecting water resources to ensure their development and sustainability. It shall also take the necessary procedures to ensure optimal utilization of water for agricultural and industrial purposes, in coordination with the relevant sides, and regulate groundwater management and digging wells, as well as other administrative and regulatory procedures.
• Determining the environmental standards for air and water quality, as per Ministerial Edict No.10 of 1999 which was then amended by ministerial edicts No.2 and 3 of 2001.
• Implementation of the ministerial edict issued in 2004 on the obligation of internal water installations system. The edict set specifications and regulations for water connections within buildings to prevent water leakage in buildings and maintenance of aquatic resources.
• Implementation of an integrated program to detect water leaks in the internal networks of subscribers and help them fix them.
• Expanding the use of treated wastewater for irrigation in the agricultural sector.
• Launching many media and awareness-raising campaigns and programs on rationalizing water consumption.
• A national contingency plan to combat oil spills has been devised and then approved by the Cabinet in 2011. Moreover, the National Oil Spill Response Command Centre has been equipped to provide immediate response to incidents of oil spills.
• The Water Resources Council, headed by His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, approved the National Water Strategy for the Kingdom of Bahrain 2030, which it prepared by the Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs and the Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning in cooperation with the Arabian Gulf University. In 2021, the memorandum of His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Water Resources Council regarding the National Water Strategy for the Kingdom of Bahrain and its 2030 Executive Plan was approved by the Cabinet. This strategy aims to ensure the effective and safe management of the water sector to support sustainable development in the Kingdom through the implementation of 32 initiatives.
• The Kingdom received get a fund from the Green Climate Fund “GCF” to implement a project aim to “Enhancing climate resilience of the water sector in Bahrain”, this project is directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals “SDG” through the provision of water and sanitation services (SDG 6: Clean water and Sanitation) and consumption, production, and climate change (SDG 13: Climate Action). Providing clean energy at low prices (SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy) and gender equality (SDG 5: Gender Equality). The project consists of multiple initiatives that aims to:

1. Building national technical and institutional capacities: to monitor and model the impacts of climate change on water resources and develop water management plans capable of adapting to climate change. The project also works to develop new political and legislative frameworks to ensure the sustainability of water resources.
2. Raising public awareness about the necessity of managing water resources considering climate change, which will play a crucial role in enhancing demand management strategies, in addition raising awareness in greywater reuse and treatment to reduce water waste and promote water conservation.
3. Develop, promote and implement innovative and climate resilient solutions that are socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and financially viable. By dealing with the challenges facing the Kingdom, which will seek to alleviate through the various initiatives presented in the National Water Strategy.

• Adopting multiple initiatives linked to each other that aim to achieve the Kingdom’s vision of establishing an integrated and interconnected water sector. These initiatives falls under the scope of the Green Climate Fund “GCF” project, and they are:

1. Modeling the impacts of climate change on freshwater resources in Bahrain.
2. A comprehensive water audit for using the water in Bahrain.
3. Rainwater harvesting and study the opportunities for recycling and reusing.
4. Grey water reuse and recycle.
5. Establishing a climate and water platform that serves all government sectors and institutions in the Kingdom.
6. Implementing a package of water conservation initiatives.
7. Strengthening the capabilities of institutions and entities related to the water sector by incorporating the concept of integrated water resources management and adaptation to climate change.