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Abu Dhabi aims to reduce its water consumption by 25% to 30% by enforcing its newly-unveiled 2009 plumbing code, thereby setting a benchmark for the UAE. It was developed under the direction of the executive council of Abu Dhabi by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).
The per-capita water usage of UAE residents is one of the highest in the world at 550 litres a day. “Water usage and wastage will be cut dramatically once the plumbing code is enforced,” according to EAD natural resources policy manager Dr Mohammad Dawoud.
The 2009 edition of the ‘Uniform Plumbing Code – Abu Dhabi’ (UPC-AD) was based on the 2009 edition the Uniform Plumbing Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
The Code is an American National Standard that represents the most current approaches in the plumbing field. Abu Dhabi’s unique cultural, economic, social and climatic conditions were all taken into consideration during the development of the UPC-AD.
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SERIOUS CHALLENGES
“IAPMO was pleased to assist EAD in the creation of this landmark model code. Abu Dhabi has serious water supply challenges that are now being addressed by the requirements of this new plumbing code.
“The emirate now joins many other nations that have used the Uniform Plumbing Code as the basis for their plumbing system installations. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code protect more than 50% of the world’s population,” commented Russ Chaney, executive director of the IAPMO Group.
This is the latest development in a recent series of co-operative efforts with international government entities, said Chaney.
The association previously assisted in the development of a Uniform Potable Water Plumbing Code for the State of Kuwait, is co-developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code – India, and has collaborated with the Kingdom of Jordan in developing its own Uniform Plumbing Code.
“With strong uniform requirements now in place to govern the installation and maintenance of Abu Dhabi’s plumbing systems, it is now equipped to institute capacity-building measures that, when taken in sequence, will improve infrastructure and health and safety standards drastically on behalf of the general populace,” said Chaney. The UPC-AD addresses the needs of Abu Dhabi, while providing a sustainable process for future development.
It will help to reduce water consumption in the emirate dramatically by detailing the specifications and design required for water supply and sanitation technologies.
These include systems for public restrooms and restrooms adjacent to mosques. It also provides information about the tools and devices needed in this field and the scope and mechanism of applying the specifications.
ENHANCED USE OF SOLAR
This will help to enhance use of solar technology for domestic water heating applications, as well as vacuum drainage systems that provide an alternate method of waste removal, grey and black water waste systems, and reduction of wastewater requiring treatment as a consequence of water conservation.
The Code also provides information about auto-wash recycling systems, how to separate grey and black water systems, and how to enhance water savings through low-flow plumbing fixtures, especially at labour compounds. The Code also provides details about standards for product certification.
Comprising 16 chapters and eight appendixes, the Code is available at EAD in a hard-copy format. Due to a high demand for the document, EAD is also considering digitising the Code by converting it to CD format, says senior media relations co-ordinator Sobhia Masri.
Comment: Water is a resource we cannot afford to be free with
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As developer, cutting water consumption will help future developers to reduce daily water storage and plantroom size giv