Sustainable Water Management Assessment and Recommendations for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi - Spring

Team Members: Christopher Hawkins, Deana Bollaci, Salem Al Qassimi, Adam Batnick, Tina Cao, Lara Croushore, Tiago de Valladares, Pacheco Jill Kano, April Lee ,Youngwoo Lee, Justin Mankin, Catherine Rodriguez, Yasmin Rozwadowski, Katie Wurden

Abu Dhabi faces a critical water crisis where demand is projected to exceed supply by 2012. This report, prepared for the Urban Planning Council (UPC), identifies a culture of over-consumption driven by four systemic failures: a fragmented management approach, unreliable data, a lack of public awareness, and the absence of a market price for water.

To ensure long-term economic prosperity, the report proposes a strategy built on four "cornerstones":

1. Institutional Integration: Establishing an Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Council with regulatory authority to unify water policy.
2. Data Management: Developing a coordinated system to provide actionable data on supply and consumption.
3. Monitoring & Metering: Implementing household-level metering to identify leaks and provide residents with real-time consumption feedback.
4. Valuation & Pricing: Shifting social and economic perspectives on water through strategic pricing and conservation campaigns.

These strategies target four key sectors—residential, public spaces, agriculture, and tourism—with a mix of immediate (12–24 months) and long-term (5+ years) actions. By addressing the demand side rather than just increasing supply, Abu Dhabi can transition toward a truly sustainable water management model.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Capstone Workshop.