Bahrain: Water crisis ‘a security threat’

BAHRAIN and its neighbours could face a potential security crisis unless they take steps to protect their diminishing water resources, a government official warned yesterday.

There could be serious threat if the region does nothing to ensure there is enough water to go round, said Works Minister Fahmi Al Jowder, who is also in charge of the Electricity and Water Authority.

His warning echoed an alert raised last week by Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Salem, who said a water shortage could spark war in the region.

The struggle for limited resources amid growing demand and rising population levels is likely to end in conflict, Mr Al Salem told the Bahrain Security Forum, at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

“Thirty per cent (of the population) in the year 2025 will not find water for drinking or agriculture,” he said.

“What further complicates the situation is that 60pc of the Arab water resources come from outside our homelands.

“This no doubt is a sign of a potential war that could take place in this region as a result of the struggle and strife for its resources.”

Mr Al Jowder was speaking at the opening of the Innovative Water and Wastewater Reuse Technolog-ies conference.

Failure to act could have disastrous consequences for the region’s security, he said.

“We have to work on several fronts to try and manage the demand,” said Mr Al Jowder.

“Management of demand is an issue and we should work on (reducing) leaks from our network.”

Experts from around the world are attending the two-day event, being held at the Gulf Hotel’s Gulf Convention Centre.

It is being organised by the Saudi Arabia Water Environment Association (SAWEA), US-based Water Environment Federation and US-based International Desalination Association.

An exhibition on the sidelines of the event is also showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in water production and conservation systems.

The conference continues today with a series of technical sessions about desalination and sanitary wastewater treatment.

Mr Al Jowder called for campaigns to educate the public on how to avoid wasting water.

“We have to work on awareness programmes,” he said.

“We are not doing enough to educate the young generation, consumers and investors.”

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Source: Gulf Daily News