What are the sources of drinking water in Dubai?

Dubai has some of the highest water consumption rates in the world, with average water consumption of 145 gallons of water per person. The high consumption levels are driven by rapid urbanization, the climate, and an increase in population. The primary source of freshwater in Dubai is desalinated seawater from the Arabian Gulf. It accounts for 89.9% of the city's water supply needs. The remainder of the water demand is mainly serviced by underground water. The residential sector accounts for the highest rates of water consumption (60.6%) and is followed by the commercial sector (24.9%) and the industrial sector, which consumes about 3.7%. The irrigation sector consumes wastewater and is not included in the compiled data above.

The desalination of seawater takes place at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) plants. Seawater is usually collected through intakes in the Arabian Gulf. Water used in the cooling of Aluminum smelters located in Jebel Ali is also sent to the DEWA desalination plant. The energy required for the desalination process is generated from fuels such as natural gas and diesel. The desalinated water is finally pumped into the pipe network for domestic consumption. Tap water in the city of Dubai is considered "safe for drinking." It, however, has an aftertaste that varies from one area to the other. People who dislike water with an aftertaste can always get bottled water from nearby shops and malls. 

Treated water represents a vital alternative to meet current water requirements in Dubai. The government has invested substantially in wastewater treatment facilities and the improvement of urban sewerage networks. The upgrade of such crucial infrastructure has resulted in larger volumes of treated water. The wastewater is typically treated wholly or partially regardless of final use. The United Arab Emirates currently has modern treatment facilities that can carry out advanced and tertiary treatment of water. Treated water produced from these facilities is used mainly in highway landscaping and irrigation of gardens.

The amount of surface water in Dubai is negligible. It includes water retained in ponds and floodwater. Dubai is situated in a dry belt region, and therefore rainfall is limited, and floodwaters typically leak into the ground. Currently, there is an urgent need to harvest and store surface water.