SHARJAH // A greywater-treatment system is allowing the emirate’s water authority to save 25 to 40 per cent on water use in large projects.
Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority said using the system would also reduce costs as the price per cubic metre was Dh2 compared to the estimated cost of Dh6 for a cubic metre of drinking water.
Greywater is water that has come from sinks, showers and baths. It is almost as clean as drinking water so it can be used for various purposes, although not for human consumption.
Authority chairman Rashed Al Leem said he was keen to be a sector leader when it comes to water-saving techniques and that the authority would benefit from the experience of other countries in this field.
The treatment has been in used in the US, Japan and Canada for more than 20 years and it has been applied in several projects in Saudi Arabia.
“The amount of water that could be reused reaches up to 39 per cent of the total water used in bathrooms, if the water is not smelly and if it is free of matter that may be harmful to the environment,” said Mr Al Leem.
Water recycling projects have been implemented in residential buildings, schools and mosques and workers’ housing around the emirate.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
