(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) Qatar s Minister Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Permanent Committee on Water Resources, HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said on Sunday that
the volume of Qatar s water consumption has tripled from 1995 to 2012 to 400 million cubic annually.
Addressing the opening session of the " Seminar On Japanese Solutions and Water Technology, Response to Challenges Facing Qatar", he noted that desalinated water constituted most of the water used in the country, adding that the rising population and the expansion in urbanization have increased the volume of consumption. Qatar is recycling almost one quarter of itsfresh water as compared with15% in other Gulf countries, he said.
Per capita consumption of water in Qatar hits 460 liters per day, one of the highest in the world, he said, noting that the production of desalinated water in Qatar doubled four times over the past two decades.
The major challenges facing Qatar is the rising population, which doubled over the past decade, and the scarcity of rainfall, he explained.
Rainfall between November and March, reached an average of 80 millimeters annually, as compared with a rate of natural evaporation of 2000 millimeters which puts Qatar in a real deficit and pushes the country towards relying heavily on sea water desalination to offset the deficit, Al Sada said.
Qatar, as per the National Vision of 2030 is planning to meet the increasing water demand, he stressed.
New initiatives include establishing new water desalination projects, foreseeing better water management and optimal use of groundwater and setting up water treatment plants.
Qatar has launched a food security project that relies on sustainable water resources. Treated water constitutes 15% of the water used in irrigation, the minister said.
He thanked Japan for its contribution to helping Qatar overcome water challenges. (QNA)
Seminar on Water and Wastewater Management Technology Opens
Doha, April 29 (QNA) - A two-day Seminar on Water and Wastewater Management Technology in Qatar began here today under the patronage of HE the Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority and Chairman of Qatar Electricity and Water Company Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah.
Opening remarks were given by HE Al Attiyah, HE Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada and Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mitsuyoshi Yanagisawa and the President and CEO of Marubeni Corporation Teruo ASADA.
Yanagisawa said Japan and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1972. This year the two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary. "As I understand, today's seminar is one of a series of events to commemorate this important year. Looking back, Japan and Qatar worked together to strengthen ties of friendship in different areas, in particular the economic sphere including energy."
On March 11, 2011 Japan was hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake, he said. "When we were devastated, people of Qatar were so kind to give us every support. The government of Qatar send additional LNG shipments to Japan."
He also hoped that Japan can contribute to help Qatar in hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. "I strongly hope that in these sectors Japan will be of any help to Qatar in a clearly recognizable way."
Qatar is now experiencing a rapid growth in water demand thanks to remarkable economic growth and population increase, he said, adding this further highlights a need for more water production and acute issues to be addressed such as water and waste water treatment.
"The problem of water supply in Qatar is in commonality with the problem of energy and natural resources in Japan. Many Japanese companies have good track records in such water business projects as construction of seawater desalination plants, management and operation of waste water treatment facilities.
With these corporate know-hows and expertise, we will be ready to contribute to the solution of water problems that you face today."
At today's seminar the participating companies will make presentations on possible solutions which will help solve your problems. "I sincerely hope that today's meeting will serve as a catalyst to put together joint projects between Japan and Qatar so that they will help Qatar solve water problems and expand business opportunities for Japanese companies."
