Shortage Analysis and Countermeasure Strategies for the Water Resource in Saudi Arabia under the Rapid Development of the Tourism Industry

Abstract

This study rigorously evaluates the water situation in Saudi Arabia, specifically examining drinking water sustainability amid the country's expanding tourism sector. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive analysis of water supply and demand dynamics. Primary data were collected through online surveys targeting 150 stakeholders from the water management and tourism sectors, while secondary data were sourced from official statistics and reports from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Quantitative analysis using OriginLab revealed significant challenges in meeting the current water demand. The average daily per capita water consumption was found to be 299 liters, with a Water Stress Index (WSI) assessment indicating severe stress in regions like Riyadh and Jeddah, which exhibited WSI values of 0.351, classifying them as regions with extremely high water stress. Groundwater quantity for 2022 was recorded at 1.48 km³, with Riyadh having the highest availability at 362,581,476 m³ and Al Baha the lowest at 1,328,409 m³. Desalinated water production totaled 1.95 km³, with major plants such as Al-Jubail and Ras Al-Khair producing 450 million and 350 million m³, respectively. The current water supply in Saudi Arabia, including groundwater and desalinated water, totals approximately 3.43 km³ annually, while the national water demand reached approximately 5.25 km³ in 2022, indicating a significant supply-demand gap of 1.82 km³. The study also analyzed the impact of tourism on water resources. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship (r=0.440) between tourism growth and increased water demand, indicating that as tourism activities increase, so does the consumption of water. Regression analysis supported this finding, with a regression coefficient (β1=0.653) showing that tourism growth significantly impacts water demand. This relationship is critical, given the anticipated tourism growth under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%, translating to an expected increase from 17 million tourists in 2019 to 45 million tourists by 2030. This anticipated growth suggests an additional water demand of approximately 1.23 km³ annually for tourism alone. Survey results indicated that 70% of respondents reported no difficulties in accessing clean drinking water during Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, demonstrating that Saudi Arabia's measures during religious tourism are effective. This supports the potential for building a sustainable tourism experience in the country as the sector continues to expand. Conversely, 30% of respondents did report occasional difficulties, indicating areas that need attention. Additionally, 52% of respondents expressed concerns about the sustainability of current water management practices in light of increased tourist activities. Stakeholder feedback highlighted several key points: 65% of respondents emphasized the need for integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar power, with desalination plants, which could reduce operational costs by up to 30% and significantly lower carbon emissions and brine disposal issues. Furthermore, 58% of stakeholders highlighted the importance of government incentives to support the adoption of sustainable technologies. They also stressed the need for educational campaigns to raise public awareness about water conservation practices, with 60% advocating for mandatory water-saving measures in tourism facilities. While there are many solutions to address Saudi Arabia's freshwater shortage, this study focuses on enhancing Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology with renewable energy sources to improve sustainability and efficiency in desalination processes. The study examines the integration of solar energy with RO technology, which can significantly reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on fossil fuels, decrease carbon emissions by up to 40%, and provide a more sustainable and cost-effective solution to water scarcity. It highlights the potential for solar-powered RO systems to operate efficiently during peak sunlight hours, especially beneficial for remote areas with limited grid access. The long-term operational savings from reduced energy costs, estimated at 25-30%, and the creation of approximately 15,000 job opportunities are also emphasized. By reducing fossil fuel dependence, improving energy efficiency, providing off-grid solutions for remote areas, and offering scalable and sustainable desalination capacity, solar-powered RO systems align with the country's sustainability goals and economic interests. This paper provides robust evidence that Saudi Arabia must adopt sustainable water management strategies to balance economic growth with water resource sustainability. The study recommends enhancing RO technology with solar energy, improving public awareness programs, and investing in water-saving infrastructure. These recommendations aim to guide policymakers and stimulate further research into effective water management practices that support both economic and environmental sustainability. The results of the projections of future tourism water demand indicate that the water supply will need to increase significantly to meet the anticipated rise in tourist numbers by 2030. Domestic tourism is expected to increase from 16 million to 31 million tourists annually, necessitating an additional 0.75 km³ of water per year. International tourism is projected to grow from 1 million to 14 million tourists annually, requiring an additional 0.48 km³ of water per year. Combining these Fig.s, the total additional water demand due to tourism growth is estimated at 1.23 km³ annually, bringing the total predicted water demand to approximately 6.48 km³ per year by 2030, up from the current 5.25 km³. To meet this future demand, desalinated water production will need to increase by approximately 40%, from the current 1.95 km³ to 2.73 km³ annually. Groundwater extraction will also need to increase by about 20%, from 1.48 km³ to 1.78 km³ annually. Significant investments in water conservation and efficiency measures are necessary, including improving irrigation efficiency in agriculture, reducing water losses in distribution systems, and implementing water-saving technologies in hotels and tourism facilities. The increased water demand will also have economic implications, potentially increasing operational costs for water treatment and distribution by up to 25%. However, integrating renewable energy sources like solar power can offset some of these costs by reducing energy expenses by approximately 30%.