UAE studies sustainable water management an harvesting methods
Fri 27 Sep 2024ABU DHABI: The UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) recently held its 10th webinar in the Rain Enhancement Hub series. The session, titled “Sustainable Water Management Strategies to Complement Technologies for Water Harvesting from Non-Conventional Sources,” focused on innovative ways to tackle water scarcity in dry regions.
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Dr. Chakravarthy Gudipati, Executive Director of the Water Technologies Division at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Centre (RSERC) in Abu Dhabi, led the session. He discussed key research areas aimed at reducing water shortages and stressed the importance of combining sustainable water management with advanced water harvesting technologies.
One major topic was urban stormwater management, which can work alongside rain enhancement programmes. The webinar highlighted examples of how these methods can improve water collection and management in cities, making better use of harvested rainwater.
The session also featured new technologies in atmospheric water harvesting, showcasing their potential to extract water from the air, especially in remote and arid areas. This technology offers a sustainable way to access water where freshwater resources are scarce.
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Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), expressed the importance of the Rain Enhancement Hub series for collaborating with top researchers and institutions like the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). This partnership aims to explore innovative technologies for a sustainable future.
Alya Al Mazroui, Director of UAEREP, emphasized that while investing in solutions like cloud seeding is vital, managing harvested rainwater effectively is equally crucial. This integrated approach helps secure sustainable water resources for everyone.
The webinar covered essential topics, including combining non-conventional water harvesting with sustainable management strategies, advancements in atmospheric water harvesting, and urban stormwater management’s role in optimizing water use.
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Dr. Gudipati, who has over 18 years of experience in water management, stated that sustainable water management is essential as water scarcity becomes a pressing issue globally. He highlighted the need for innovative solutions to enhance resilience against water scarcity while protecting ecological resources for future generations.
NCM and UAEREP regularly organise the ‘Rain Enhancement Hub’ webinar series to engage the research community in discussions about rain enhancement and weather modification technologies, helping to achieve global water security.