Water Stewardship in the Desert: Water Conservation Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of a dynamic water conservation program currently being implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Responding to a growing water crises and the need to defer the development of future desalination plants, the Ministry of Water & Electricity (MOWE) initially retrofitted 3.2 million households over an 18 month period with aerators and toilet displacement devices. This experience enabled MOWE to expand the programs to high-efficiency showerheads and other conservation devices. MOWE faced significant and unique challenges in implementing the programs due to program needs and cultural structures. Customer follow-up surveys were conducted in the twelve cities and eight provinces targeted by the program. This is an ongoing program where the savings, the issues and customers will be continually surveyed and documented.