Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa) enhanced water storage capacity by 77mn gallons in 2016 to achieve a strategic reserve of 1,336mn gallons, a top official said.
Marking the occasion of Arab Water Day, Kahramaa president Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari said in a press statement that the corporation was taking the opportunity to renew its commitment to the mission of providing water services to customers and developing its water infrastructure to adequately meet Qatar’s requirements.
HE the Minister of Energy & Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, too, highlighted the significance of the occasion and how the water sector in Qatar played a prominent role in achieving sustainable development.
Qatar and the other Arab countries celebrate Arab Water Day on March 3, and this year’s theme is ‘Water-food-energy nexus…life sustainability’. It draws attention to the relation between water, food and energy security, and the importance of understanding this nexus for rational resources management in order to achieve sustainable development, according to a statement by the minister.
HE Dr al-Sada said the ministry of Energy & Industry, represented by Kahramaa, has set plans that are required for the development of water utilities in order to increase productivity and meet the increasing demand for water.
It has also adopted different techniques to achieve the requirements of sustainable development, building new stations to strengthen the water network and upgrading the existing one to provide high-quality services and meet development requirements. Also, it is constructing mega reservoirs to secure water storage and ensure stable supplies under any circumstances.
Qatar supports all Arab efforts to address water challenges, he said, adding that the focus is on the integration of water, food and energy in this year’s celebration. The concept also aligns with the efforts of Kahramaa’s National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency – Tarsheed.
Meanwhile, al-Kuwari said the theme of Arab Water Day this year aligns with Kahramaa’s mission of “providing high-quality and sustainable electricity and water for better living in Qatar”.
The scarcity of water resources and an increase in per capita water consumption were the motives behind launching Tarsheed, he explained, noting that the campaign aims to reduce per capita consumption of water by 35% and electricity by 20% in five years.
On the occasion, Kahramaa has renewed its "commitment to its mission” of providing water services to customers based on the highest international standards and to develop its water infrastructure to efficiently meet Qatar’s water needs, al-Kuwari said.
“Kahramaa also continues to promote the water strategic reserves programme to ensure Qatar’s water security,” he observed.