President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's February launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative demonstrates the UAE's commitment to tackling global water scarcity. Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) is at the forefront of supporting this initiative, boasting a unique position in the UAE's water industry with its fully Reverse Osmosis (RO) based production.

With approximately 190 Million Imperial Gallons per Day (MIGD) production capacity across facilities like NAQA’A, Ghalila, and Zawrah, EtihadWE emphasizes the role of RO technology in its strategy for sustainable water use. This technology, recognized for its energy efficiency compared to thermal desalination, aligns with the UAE's broader efforts towards sustainable water management.

Over the years, EtihadWE has invested over AED2 billion in enhancing transmission and storage capabilities, with projects like the Khuraijah Water Distribution Center (WDC), a significant contributor to the UAE's Water Security Strategy.

To combat Non-Revenue Water (NRW), EtihadWE implements a comprehensive strategy involving network rehabilitation, district metering establishment, and advanced acoustic inspection utilizing smart ball technology and data loggers. This approach, coupled with awareness campaigns and the implementation of a smart metering strategy, underscores EtihadWE's dedication to reducing water losses and enhancing efficiency.

The launch of the water Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) project is a notable step towards optimizing operations, focusing on reducing pumping costs and electricity usage, thereby contributing to the overall reduction of water losses.

Yousif Ahmad Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, emphasizes the role of innovation in combating water scarcity, stating, “Innovation underpins our roadmap to combat water scarcity. By leveraging new technologies and our unique RO capabilities, we are taking significant steps to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of our operations."

Al Ali concludes by highlighting EtihadWE's community engagement efforts, such as the 'Lel Khair Norashid' in Water program, which promotes water conservation and sustainable usage among the populace. He states, “Through our initiatives, we are not only improving water reliability and security but also reinforcing the UAE's leadership in sustainable water management."