Statutory regulations for water conservation and water reuse

Water demand is very high in the Arabian Gulf countries. Desalinated seawater is mainly used to satisfy domestic, public and commercial water demands. The water supply cost is therefore high. For the past few decades and in some cases even today water supply is subsidized, but in future the situation is going to change and people have to pay for the water. In view of this it is imperative to use water as efficiently as possible. The community as well as the water utility must practice water conservation and reuse. Statutory regulations shall be developed to minimize wastage and increase reuse of water. The strategy should be to have policy, legal and financial instruments, economic incentives, awareness campaigns and suitable technology.