Restrictions on available fresh waters and population growth have become one of the most important problems that humans are facing. One of the measures taken to deal with this problem is desalination of water. Different countries in the Persian Gulf region have made different progress in converting salty water from the seas into fresh water for agriculture, drinking and industry. (Map quoted from Yahoo's image)
Out of a total of 90 million cubic meters of seawater desalination in the world, about 22 million cubic meters of seawater desalination is done in the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Iran). Of this amount, Iran’s share is only 200,000 cubic meters.
However, the Persian Gulf has become an important destination for desalination plants in the world. Today, about 80% of urban and industrial water needs in countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE are met by desalination processes, in Saudi Arabia and Oman 45% of water needs are met by seawater desalination.
Desalinated water is very expensive and requires a lot of energy. However, the CIS countries' high water consumption per capita (sometimes 350 liters of water per day), self-sufficiency policy in food production, industrial and tourist needs have led countries to invest heavily in freshwater development in their programs in the coming years.
One of the largest industrial projects to desalinate water in the world in Saudi Arabia desalinate more than one million cubic meters of seawater daily.
In fact, the Persian Gulf region, especially the GCC countries, is one of the driest places on Earth, with the least amount of water available per capita. Therefore, desalination plants are needed to manage phenomena such as the reduction of natural rainfall, groundwater level, increase of population, increase of construction projects, industries, production plants, etc.
In fact, governments have focused on the development of desalination plants, given the far-reaching and positive consequences of more water. So, desalination is expected to grow several times.
On the contrary, it should be said that the dependence of the Persian Gulf countries on desalination has become very high. Dependence on desalination makes them vulnerable to water shortages. So if a natural disaster, an oil spill, or even a military strike disrupts the desalination plant, it will have far-reaching consequences.
Also, desalination facilities will cause a rapid reduction of energy resources in the region, threatening the source of income of countries, accelerating the salinity of water of the Persian Gulf. It also will have worse and more effects on aquatic life and the entry of some industrial effluents from desalination.
Cross-border destructive effects of water pollution may also cause many environmental threats to the Persian Gulf ecosystem, such as reduced rainfall and evaporation in the Persian Gulf and threaten the entire region.
What is clear is that the countries bordering the Persian Gulf are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The rapid movement of different countries of the Persian Gulf (with high population growth rates, urbanization and industrialization) has led them to use desalination plants, although it has many advantages and benefits in order to provide the required water. But what needs serious attention is a reduction in the negative impacts and threats that come with it, such as shoreline retreats and water salinization, salt depletion in ecosystems, and environmental hazards.
Farzad Ramezani Bonesh
Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs
