Meeting the Challenges of Water Scarcity: Policy Review and Strategy Formulation

The current availability of renewable water resources in the MENA region is just above 1000m³ per capita per year, a level that is regarded as representing "water scarcity". This represents the region as a whole and masks the complex water related issues that face the diverse countries of the region. Specific and well formulated water policies and national water strategies are required if the future demands for water are to be met. These should be assessed in the context of macro-economic policies and the opportunities that are presented through "virtual water" imports, elements which vary widely across the MENA region. Supply and demand management measures, legal and institutional issues also need careful assessment and integration into water strategies. Some progress is already being made. Black & Veatch, funded by the UK's Department for International Development, have recently completed a research project, on water demand management options and their integration into water policy and water resources strategies and these are also discussed in the paper.