Water Scarcity in MENA Countries

The E-REWater Tool's Solutions & Benefits

The e-ReWater tool, developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and supported by Google.org, is an AI and satellite data-driven platform designed to enhance water management in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This tool is particularly relevant for MENA, one of the most water-scarce regions globally, where growing populations and climate change impacts exacerbate water scarcity[5].

IWMI Announces Development Of A New, Google Supported Tool That Will Harness AI And Satellite Data For Water Reuse In The Middle East And North Africa | Environmental XPRT

Today, IWMI announced plans to develop a new AI-powered platform, called e-ReWater, to improve wastewater reuse in the Middle East and North Africa Region…

International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

The e-ReWater tool provides several key features that can add value to water systems management in MENA countries:

1. Comprehensive Information Dashboard: The tool provides an online dashboard with detailed information on wastewater generation and recycling potential in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This dashboard can be accessed by utility managers, policymakers, and the public, enhancing transparency and information access[5].
2. Improved Decision Making: The tool can aid decision-making processes by providing comprehensive wastewater reuse information. It can help identify opportunities to reduce reliance on groundwater through recycled water, and utility managers can incorporate this information into future water management plans[5].
3. Policy Development: Policymakers can use the information provided by the e-ReWater tool to develop policies and incentives that encourage wastewater recycling. This can lead to more sustainable water management practices and regulations[5].
4. Public Education: The online dashboard can also serve as an educational tool for the public, raising awareness about water reuse potential and gaining support for recycled water projects[5].
5. Climate Resilience: By improving wastewater reuse, the tool can enhance climate resilience in the MENA region. Recycled water can provide a reliable source of water for agriculture, the sector using the most water in the region, as it is not affected by variations in weather, particularly rainfall[7].

In conclusion, the e-ReWater tool can significantly contribute to water management in the MENA region by providing comprehensive information, aiding decision-making, supporting policy development, educating the public, and enhancing climate resilience. By harnessing technologies like AI, e-ReWater will enable more informed decisions regarding wastewater reuse across the region[5][7].

Citations:
[1] https://dnrc.mt.gov/_docs/conservation/ARPA/Irrigation/ARPA-Grant-Application-Guidance-Irrigation-Flooding-FINALV1.pdf
[2] https://www.prb.org/resources/finding-the-balance-population-and-water-scarcity-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[3] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2023/11/iwmi-announces-development-of-a-new-google-supported-tool-that-will-harness-ai-and-satellite-data-for-water-reuse-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[4] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Publications/Books/PDF/water_reuse_in_the_middle_east_and_north_africa-a_sourcebook-chapter-1.pdf
[5] https://reliefweb.int/report/egypt/iwmi-announces-development-new-google-supported-tool-will-harness-ai-and-satellite-data-water-reuse-middle-east-and-north-africa
[6] https://www.mei.edu/publications/freshwater-resources-mena-region-risks-and-opportunities
[7] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2023/11/new-google-supported-tool-will-harness-ai-and-satellite-data-for-water-reuse-in-mena/
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211464523000490
[9] https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/international-water-management-institute-iwmi/iwmi-unveils-google-backed-ai-tool-water-reuse
[10] https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/running-dry-unprecedented-scale-and-impact-water-scarcity-middle-east-and-north
[11] https://www.aquatechtrade.com/news/utilities/google-backed-tool-to-open-up-data-on-water-reuse-potential-across-mena
[12] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2023.1247009
[13] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/about/where-we-work/iwmi-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[14] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/javier-mateo-sagasta-65b995104_replicable-stories-for-the-expansion-of-water-activity-6996763834040373248-mQ2w
[15] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2022/11/water-reuse-a-potential-game-changer-for-water-security-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[16] https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water/publication/water-management-in-fragile-systems
[17] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/international-water-management-institute-iwmi-mena-regional-office_iwmi-announces-development-of-a-new-google-activity-7135971202673651712-9-F-
[18] https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/04/27/water-scarcity-in-mena-requires-bold-actions-says-world-bank-report
[19] https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/agr_outlook-2018-5-en/index.html?itemId=%2Fcontent%2Fcomponent%2Fagr_outlook-2018-5-en
[20] https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2022.59
[21] https://fastcompanyme.com/green-goals/can-the-mena-region-overcome-the-water-crisis/
[22] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/31645/EC_MENA.pdf?sequence=1+%3BisAllowed%3Dy
[23] https://www.cajnewsafrica.com/2023/11/28/google-philanthropy-boosts-mena-water-security/?lang=fr&pr=287330&q=new-african-magazine-reveals-the-100-most-influential-africans-of-2023

MENA countries face significant challenges in managing water scarcity due to natural factors such as limited rainfall, high temperatures, and human activities, including rapid population growth, urbanization, and inefficient water use. Agriculture accounts for the majority of water demand in the region, and the growing population increases the demand for food, thereby exacerbating water scarcity. The uneven distribution of water resources and the potential for water-related conflicts between countries are pressing issues[1][7].

The e-ReWater tool, developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) with support from Google.org, is designed to help address these challenges by leveraging AI and satellite data to improve wastewater reuse in the MENA region. The tool will provide an online dashboard with information on wastewater generation and recycling potential in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which can be accessed by utility managers, policymakers, and the public[2][4][12].

The e-ReWater tool can help MENA countries in several ways:

1. Estimating Availability of New Water Resources: By using remote sensing and earth observation data, the tool can help estimate the availability of new water resources, which is crucial for planning and managing water supply[2][4].
2. Improving Wastewater Reuse: The tool will focus on enhancing the reuse of nutrient-rich wastewater underutilized in the region. This can provide a reliable water source for agriculture and reduce reliance on groundwater and desalination[2][4].
3. Supporting Decision-Making: Utility managers can use the information provided by the dashboard to incorporate wastewater reuse into their water management plans, aiding in more informed decision-making[2].
4. Policy Development: Policymakers can use the data to develop policies and incentives that encourage wastewater recycling, leading to more sustainable water management practices[2].
5. Public Education: The dashboard can also educate the public on the potential for water reuse, essential for gaining support for recycled water projects[2].
6. Enhancing Climate Resilience: By improving wastewater reuse, the tool can help the region become more resilient to climate change, as recycled water is unaffected by weather variations like rainfall[4].

In summary, the e-ReWater tool can assist MENA countries in managing water scarcity by providing valuable data for improving wastewater reuse, supporting decision-making, aiding policy development, and enhancing public awareness and climate resilience[2][4].

Citations:
[1] https://www.prb.org/resources/finding-the-balance-population-and-water-scarcity-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[2] https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/international-water-management-institute-iwmi/iwmi-unveils-google-backed-ai-tool-water-reuse
[3] https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/finding-institutional-solutions-to-water-scarcity-in-mena
[4] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2023/11/new-google-supported-tool-will-harness-ai-and-satellite-data-for-water-reuse-in-mena/
[5] https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/mena-regions-water-crisis-avoiding-potential-water-wars
[6] https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2023/11/iwmi-announces-development-of-a-new-google-supported-tool-that-will-harness-ai-and-satellite-data-for-water-reuse-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa/
[7] https://thewaterproject.org/water-crisis/water-in-crisis-middle-east
[8] https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2022.59
[9] https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/04/27/water-scarcity-in-mena-requires-bold-actions-says-world-bank-report
[10] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/international-water-management-institute-iwmi-mena-regional-office_iwmi-announces-development-of-a-new-google-activity-7135971202673651712-9-F-
[11] https://www.unicef.org/mena/water-doesnt-come-tap
[12] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bruno-bianchini_iwmi-announces-development-of-a-new-google-activity-7135522026550640640-vnPo?trk=public_profile_like_view
[13] https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/confronting-water-scarcity-in-north-africa/
[14] https://www.natureasia.com/en/nmiddleeast/article/10.1038/nmiddleeast.2022.63
[15] https://www.stimson.org/2021/water-crisis-in-the-mena-region/