COP28- Sustainable Water- Making Water Smartr

By 2050, we will need 55% more fresh water. Making better use of urban water resources was an important discussion topic - with an emphatic message from the Netherlands’ Water Envoy: “We don’t own water; we just borrow it”. One approach to managing this is the ‘circular water economy’ - where water from our taps does not go straight out to the sea but is recycled at a local neighborhood level. This can reduce rates of both tap and wastewater by 25-45%.

These circular water economies are coming to you sooner than you think. Rami Ghandour, CEO of UAE-based Metito Utilities pointed to a world-first UAE project, where residents in developments have two taps. One delivers potable water, while cheaper recycled wastewater can be used for utility. The project shares the goals of the UAE’s Waste to Zero Initiative, launched today.