Navigating Kuwait's water scarcity challenges: A holistic analysis of water resources, environmental impact, cost, and policy implications

Abstract

Due to fossil fuels abundance at a relatively low cost of extraction, Kuwait relies heavily on non-conventional water resources, namely desalination and treated wastewater, to sustain its water sector. However, Kuwait finds itself balancing between the benefits of its rentier economy and the challenges posed by its reliance on fossil fuels, navigating a complex landscape of economic and environmental sustainability. This paper endeavors to explore the complex paradox surrounding Kuwait's water resources, examining the role of desalination, wastewater treatment, and groundwater extraction. It discusses into the barriers hindering efforts towards reform and mitigation strategies aimed at promoting sustainable water management practices. Including obstacles rooted in various socioeconomic and sociopolitical factors, such as low utility tariffs, heavy dependence on fossil fuels, and deficiencies in the country's water infrastructure. Through the application of a life cycle assessment and a detailed cost analysis, this research unveils the significant environmental and financial burdens associated with Kuwait's current water supply methods, prompting concerns regarding their sustainability and the nation's water security. While the primary focus of this study is on Kuwait, the analysis and findings hold broader implications and repercussions.