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Reusing Mosque Water for Irrigation in Yemen
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|  | | Project #: 05-1430 | Country: | | Organization: | Department of Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Water and Environment, Yemen | Partners: | Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd | Sector: | Environment | Awarded: | | | Reports: | | |
| | | | Project Description | | | | Objective |  | | To conserve scarce water resources in Yemen through the reuse of cleansing water from mosques for irrigation. | | | | Rationale |  | | Like many countries of the Middle East and North Africa, Yemen is facing severe water poverty. The main water source, groundwater from wells, suffers from large and uncontrolled extraction and increasing pollution from residential and agricultural use. In addition, mosques are heavy users of potable water because their patrons perform a cleansing ritual before prayer. The water used for this ablution is considered “grey water” and enters the sewage system, which further strains the already scarce water supply. Annual water consumption in Yemen is estimated at 3.4 billion cubic meters, which lowers groundwater tables between 1 to 6 meters per year. | | | | Innovation / Expected Results |  | | Through a partnership between the government’s Department of Environmental Affairs and a water engineering firm, this project would develop grey-water treatment and distribution facilities to recover grey water from mosques in 3 pilot communities. In doing so, it would increase incomes by adding irrigated land and increasing water availability. To promote social acceptance and to increase understanding of grey-water reuse and sustainable water management, the project would conduct a public awareness campaign and seek the support of religious leaders, sheikhs, and government officials. In addition, the Department of Environmental Affairs would disseminate the project experience and results gained to other communities. This project expects to reduce groundwater extraction for agriculture and initiate an industry to reuse grey water throughout Yemen. | | | Contact | | | Project Manager |  | | Lia Carol Sieghart and Mohammed Shamsan sieghart@yemen.net.ye | | | | Related Links |  | | |
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