Problems
The main water challenges that Kuwait faces are rising water scarcity and the increasing financial, economic and environmental impacts associated with meeting sectoral water demands. These challenges are expected to grow because of rapid population growth and urbanization, increasing food demands, climate change impacts, unsustainable consumption, water losses, inadequate water reuse and the continuous deterioration and depletion of groundwater resources.
Dependency on desalination
Kuwait has established a policy of providing municipal water from desalination because of the scarcity of freshwater resources and to reduce pressure on groundwater resources. This has led to a large share of drinking water being supplied by desalination plants. 84.8% of municipal water demands were supplied by desalination. According to the Ministry of Electricity and Water, the installed capacity of desalination plants is expected to reach 3.85 MCM/yr by 2024. As a result, the costs associated with desalination expansion have also increased. These costs include the required energy (oil and gas) (55% of the total energy consumption in the country); the cost of operating the water system (i.e. production, transmission and distribution); and environmental costs in terms of thermal brine and their impacts on the marine environment; and air pollution from burning fossil fuels and their impacts on human health and the environment.
Inefficient water use and water networks leakage
On the demand side, per capita water consumption is high (447 L/capita/d). The existence of a general subsidy system makes the use of economic incentives difficult. The current tariff is not effective in influencing water consumption and water savings. On the other hand, Kuwait experiences high non-revenue water (water losses due to leakage) in the distribution network.
Exploitation of groundwater aquifers
Brackish groundwater is exploited for agricultural and greening purposes and mixed with desalinated water for domestic use. For detailed information, see the Water Resources and Water Use sections.
Limited wastewater treatment and reuse
The reuse potential of the generated wastewater is not fully developed. In addition, the absence of an explicit wastewater tariff (collection and treatment) causes the very low-cost recovery of the wastewater. Such cost-recovery ratios increase the wastewater sector’s financial burden on the budget, make the sector captive to government allocations and deprive the water sector of an enforcing mechanism in water conservation.
Institutions and legislation
The current institutional arrangements of the water sector are fragmented, which leads to the dominance of sub-sectoral water management approaches and impedes integrated management of the water sector. The coordinated planning between the water sector and other related sectors, particularly agriculture and energy, is informal and limited. Moreover, much legislation is outdated or missing.
Gallery
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Timelines
2024
March
While there are 157 desalination plants in the region, including eight in Kuwait, the past two decades saw an increase in salinity, which would pose a threat if levels exceeded 55 percent. The percentage posed a threat to countries in the region with the average drinkable water consumption exceeding 295 liters per person, which is a high global consumption rate, according to the GCC Statistical Center. Vice Dean for Scientific, research, and higher education affairs at Kuwait University’s (KU) College of Life Sciences Dr. Badr Al-Enezi said that there were several factors leading to the increase in salinity in regional waters. Al-Enezi indicated that he worked with several entities in Kuwait and abroad, including the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and through research he managed to produce three solution projects approved by the Environment Public Authority (EPA). The projects included two new desalination technologies aimed at decreasing salinity and protecting the environment at the same time.
2023
Kuwait reaffirms its solidarity with other countries affected by the water crisis and calls for international cooperation and support to address the water challenges.
2022
Kuwait expands its desalination capacity to meet the growing water demand but also faces high environmental and economic costs associated with desalination.
2021
Kuwait experiences high water losses due to leakage and inefficient water use. The per capita water consumption is 447 L/capita/d, one of the highest in the world.
2020
Kuwait faces increasing water demand due to population growth, urbanization and climate change. The freshwater demand is predicted to range between 722 MCM/yr and 3,036 MCM/yr by 2025.
2018
Kuwait initiated the Water Work Contract for the years 2018-2028, a global partnership to address the water crisis and achieve the water-related sustainable development goals.
2015
Kuwait adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a goal to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
2000
During the Gulf War, Iraq destroys much of Kuwait's desalination capacity during retreat.