As per Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI), the UAE’s total water demand is estimated at 5 billion cubic metres per year, supplied from a range of sources. As natural freshwater sources are limited, the UAE has developed a diverse water supply system that combines groundwater and surface water with non-conventional sources, such as desalinated water and treated wastewater.  

The main sources of water in the UAE are:

• groundwater
• surface water and rainwater
• desalinated water
• treated wastewater.

Groundwater is an important source of natural water in the UAE, accounting for around 46 per cent of the country's water supply and 93 per cent of the irrigation water used on farms. Around 2.3 billion cubic metres of groundwater are extracted annually.

The UAE aims to preserve groundwater as a key emergency water source through the plans, projects and initiatives set out in the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. This is supported by the key objectives of the National Water and Energy Demand Management Programme 2050, including increasing water-use efficiency in the two largest water-consuming sectors — agriculture and construction — by 50 per cent by 2050.

Source: The National Guide of the UAE Groundwater Economic Value (PDF in Arabic, 1 MB) - Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI)

Useful links:

• Groundwater in Abu Dhabi – Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
• Maps – United Arab Emirates University 

Surface water and rainwater are limited, but important sources of natural water in the UAE. Due to the country's arid climate and low rainfall, surface water is mainly found in wadis and temporary water flows, particularly in the mountainous areas. The UAE has developed dams, reservoirs and rainwater-harvesting projects to collect and manage rainwater. These structures help reduce flood risks, store rainwater and increase groundwater recharge, supporting the sustainable management of the country's limited water availability.

Dams

Given the UAE’s limited natural water resources and low rainfall due to its desert climate, dams are an important strategic solution for managing water resources. They help us to store rainwater and floodwater that might otherwise be lost, enabling water security for future generations. Dams also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the risks of flooding and erosion, while helping maintain the quantity and quality of groundwater resources. 

Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure manages 109 dams, which have a total storage capacity exceeding 90 million cubic metres. The ministry’s smart management system for dams and water facilities includes surveillance cameras, wadi flow monitoring devices, dam water level sensors, and groundwater observation equipment. All of these are integrated into a comprehensive digital system that uses artificial intelligence to analyse water movement, monitor flow speed and volume, predict flow paths, and identify high-risk areas in real time. This approach enhances water resource management efficiency and strengthens preparedness for different weather conditions.

Dams in the UAE include:

Desalination is a key source of water in the UAE, particularly for drinking and domestic use. With limited natural freshwater, the UAE uses advanced desalination technologies to convert seawater into fresh water and meet the needs of its growing population and economy.

The UAE continues to develop more efficient and sustainable desalination technologies, including processes that use less energy and integrate renewable energy. These efforts help strengthen the country’s water security, reduce pressure on natural water and ensure a reliable water supply for future generations.

Number of desalinated water plants by type and entity as of 2015

Source: Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre

Installed capacity (in million cubic metres/day) of desalinated water plants as of 2023

Source: Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre

Desalination plants

Some of the major desalination plants under Department of Energy - Abu Dhabi include:

1. the Emirates CMS Power Company (ECPC) is one of the older power and water plants operational in Abu Dhabi. Located in the Taweelah area in Abu Dhabi, it has a production capacity of 231,800 cubic metres of desalinated water daily.
2. the Al Shuweihat S1 plant – it provides 10.7 per cent of the desalination capacity in the emirate, equivalent to some 459,000 cubic metres of water per day.
3. the Shuweihat S2 plant - it is located in the western region of the emirate. It provides 11.2 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s total water production, equivalent to 459,000 cubic metres per day.
4. the Umm Al Nar plant on the Sas Al Nakl island – it has a production capacity of 432,000 cubic metres of desalinated water per day.
5. the Taweelah A2 plant located – it is 50 km northeast of Abu Dhabi City and produces about 382,000 cubic metres of desalinated water per day.
6. the Taweelah B plant – it is the largest independent power and water plant in the UAE and generates nearly double that amount with the production of more than 736,000 cubic metres of potable water every day. It is located 80 km north of the Abu Dhabi.
7. the Fujairah F1 plant – it has a production capacity of 595,500 cubic metres per day.
8. the Fujairah F2 plant – it has a production capacity of 600,000 cubic metres per day.
9. the Mirfa International Power and Water Company (MIPCO) plant – it operates with a capacity of 241,000 thousand cubic metres of water per day.

*Data is as of 2020.

In Dubai, DEWA’s Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis (RO) project will have a production capacity of up to 180 million gallons per day, making it one of the world’s largest seawater RO projects. It will also be DEWA’s first dependent water producer (IWP) model-based project. All phases are scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with total investments amounting to AED 3.377 billion.

In Sharjah, SEWGA is actively working on several key projects, including the Al Hamriyah Independent Water Desalination Plant, which can produce up to 90 million gallons of water daily.

According to the Environmental Performance Index 2026, the UAE achieved a 94.99 per cent score for wastewater treatment, ranking 19^th globally. The latest statistics show that the UAE treated 823 million cubic metres of wastewater, with more than 70 per cent of it being re-used.

Treated wastewater can be re-used for suitable non-potable purposes, including irrigating landscapes and certain plants, as well as for other uses permitted under applicable water-quality standards. It must not be used to irrigate fruit and vegetable crops intended for human consumption, or for drinking, cooking, bathing or swimming.

Read more:

• Number of wastewater treatment plants, designed, actual hydraulic flow and volume of wastewater inflow and produced treated wastewater by emirate – Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre 
• Annex to Cabinet Resolution of 2021 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law of 2018 Concerning Integrated Waste Management

Useful links

• Open data for water - Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI)