We must all support efforts to conserve water and power

We must all support efforts to conserve water and powerThe recent launch of QR3.2bn project that aims to more than double Qatar’s reserves will go a long way in providing clean drinking water to growing population across the country. The landmark project launched by Kahramaa (Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation) will step up Qatar’s water reserves by as much as 126% to achieve a capacity of 561mn gallons (MIG). The projects include new water reservoirs and pumping stations (RPS) at Duhail, Umm Qarn, Mesaimeer, South Doha and Muathier and reservoirs at existing stations. This is the largest expansion of Qatar’s water reserves.Recently, Kahramaa also launched a project to build seven reservoirs at existing stations in Salwa Industrial Area, Bani Hajir, Gharrafa and West Bay. While the government is doing all that it can to provide clean drinking water to people of this country, it remains the duty of every citizen and expatriate to conserve the precious God-given natural resource.  It is all the more relevant in Qatar, a water-scarce country, where the government has been spending billions of riyals to provide clean drinking water and uninterrupted supply of electricity to its people.Qatar has recognised the fact that for the country’s sustainable development, water and power conservation must be achieved.In this context, Kahramaa launched a five-year initiative called Tarsheed, which aims to achieve an effective reduction of electricity and water consumption by the country’s residents, both citizens and expatriates.Through the Tarsheed campaign, the country hopes to reduce the consumption of electricity by 20% and water by 35% over a five-year campaign period.Tarsheed presents a significant opportunity for organisations and individuals to join the national efforts to protect the country’s resources and reduce water and electricity consumption.Every resident is duty-bound to help the government achieve its targeted goal.Though Qatar is a desert country, its water usage is said to be among the highest in the world on a per capita basis. Similarly, per capita power consumption in Qatar is also very high by global standards.Over the last one decade, Qatar’s population has almost trebled with the result that there is a huge increase in water and power consumption in the country.Despite this, Qatar is one of the few countries in the world where there is virtually no disruption to water or power supply. Also, the authorities concerned have ensured that power and water tariff remains affordable to people.While many neighbouring countries are witnessing sporadic shortages of electricity, we have not seen that in Qatar yet because of the government’s visionary approach in investing in utilities.Recent investments in two gas projects - Al Khaleej and Barzan -  are cases in point. These are primarily aimed at providing the much-needed energy for the country’s utilities so that the targeted development can be realised.Although, Qatar has a huge reserve of North Field natural gas, which is being utilised to energise the country’s utilities, the fact remains water and electricity are provided at subsidised rates. Precisely, this is all the more reason why everyone should make effort not to waste these precious resources.