The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority has launched an important initiative aimed at water conservation within citizens’ homes in the Mugeidah suburb of Sharjah. This new phase of the initiative will involve the installation of water-saving devices and tools in approximately 2,000 homes, building on the previous successful implementation in the Al-Rahmaniya area, where more than 4,000 homes benefited from over 14,000 water-saving devices. This effort has resulted in a significant reduction in water consumption by up to 59%. The Authority continues to monitor the installation of devices in any residences where owners were unavailable or communication was difficult during the rollout.
Promoting Sustainability and Responsible Resource Use
Majed Hariml Al-Shamsi, Executive Director of Institutional Support at the Authority, asserted that the initiative aligns with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The initiative aims to install over 750,000 water-saving devices across more than 45,000 homes in various cities and regions throughout the emirate.
Al-Shamsi highlighted that this initiative not only aims to enhance environmental sustainability but also fosters a culture of responsible resource usage. The Authority is committed to collaborating with all community segments to protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of natural resources while promoting the best conservation practices and encouraging a responsible lifestyle to minimise waste.
Comprehensive Approach to Water Conservation
The authority adopts comprehensive strategies to ensure the preservation of water and mitigate wastage. These strategies include expanding access to modern water-saving technologies that can also reduce household bills. Rashid Al-Marzouqi, Director of Media and Communication at the Authority, noted that the Authority has assembled 12 specialised technical teams equipped with essential tools and equipment to ensure the initiative meets its timeline and quality specifications.
Additionally, Al-Marzouqi mentioned that the Authority has set up a mobile platform in shopping centres, alongside various events and informational materials, to raise awareness about the initiative. These efforts aim to educate the public on how to benefit from the programme and promote correct water-saving behaviours and effective use and maintenance of saving devices.
Structured Implementation and Community Engagement
To ensure successful implementation, the Authority has established a well-defined plan comprising eight key points. This plan includes creating a database of targeted homes, budgeting, scheduling execution, distributing tasks among qualified technical teams, communicating with homeowners for installation approval, conducting site visits, and measuring customer satisfaction through surveys. A final assessment will also be conducted to quantify the resources saved and compile a comprehensive report on the initiative’s impact.
Al-Marzouqi encouraged citizens to actively participate in this water-saving initiative and cooperate with specialised technicians from the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority who will reach out to them for the free installation of water-saving devices. He also emphasised the importance of fixing any leaks in household plumbing and fostering awareness about conservation practices among the younger generation, highlighting that conserving water is both a religious and national duty, as water is the essence of life.