United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Make it Rain

Hydrogeology, Geology, & Environmental Issues

Date posted: 05/09/16

According to Global Construction Review, in an effort to hold off projections that the UAE could run out of groundwater in 14 years, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) have been hired to carry out detailed modelling studies to evaluate the effectiveness of a artificial mountain. The idea is that the mountain would force air masses to rise, which could then be seeded to produce increased rainfall. Increased precipitation would help the UAE as currently groundwater makes up 70% of the emirates water supply, with 33 desalination plants providing 24%, and wastewater 6%. Drinking water comes almost exclusively from desalination, where groundwater is used for irrigation.