Due to the limits of groundwater and spring waters, they are now majorly complemented with non-conventional water resources to supply the country’s needs. The country has invested heavily in water desalination plants of sea water to meet domestic needs and tertiary sewage treatment plants for municipal and agricultural uses through water and treated wastewater networks.

The rising demand on water resources prompts the issue of water security in the region. To understand and monitor the safe and sustainable usage of water from different resources, it is significant to employ various tools to measure elements related to this usage. The three current methods of water resources are:

• Groundwater
• Sea Water Desalination
• Sewage Treatment

These water resources, due to their scarcity and unconventionality, require constant monitoring to avoid improper use. Space technologies can be utilized here to monitor elements related to these three water resources such as quality, quantity, irrigation, water networks etc.

Can this challenge be solved using space technologies and data? If so, which one?

Parts of the challenge can rely on space technologies and data. Remote Sensing as well as Satellite Sensor Design can aid in providing the needed Earth Observation data to acquire information about the water resources in the area.

Has this problem been acknowledged in the past? (By the government, NGOs, etc.)

The Kingdom of Bahrain is actively working on managing our water resources through multiple traditional methods such as establishing the Bahrain Water Resources Database. The Kingdom of Bahrain has also established the Water Resources Council to develop laws that protect water resources and to develop policies for sustainable water usage.

Expected time frame to develop solution

By 2030, to achieve Bahrain’s Economic Vision for 2030

Consequences if no action happens

The major consequences would stem from the inefficient utilization of water resources for the increasing needs of the country. The impacts are also exacerbated by climate change which acts as a huge driver for water scarcity. Furthermore, this delays the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), more specifically Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Physical requirements needed for a solution?

Physical requirements will differ for each success criteria addressed. An example of what should be considered is for ground-truthing capabilities. This would involve the relevant teams with expertise in their fields such as marine or agriculture and who are also equipped with the necessary tools and equipment.