Khaleej Times

12,000 water taps at mosques replaced with efficient ones

- Ismail Sebugwaawo

abu dhabi — More than 12,000 old water taps have been replaced with new and highly efficient models in 829 mosques across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra region as part of the emirate’s drive to reduce water consumptio­n.

The Abu Dhabi Distributi­on Company (ADDC), Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada) and the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments have completed the first phase of the project in order to rationalis­e water consumptio­n in line with the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030.

Authoritie­s said 12,435 new taps have replaced the ablution water taps in the mosques in order to reduce water usage during the pre-prayer ablution process, known as wudhu.

The water tap is equipped with

We are working to raise awareness among worshipper­s about the importance of reducing water wastage.”

Saeed Mohammed Al Suwaidi, general manager, ADDC

automatic valves that reduce the flow of water by six litres per minute and are certified by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council. They also meet the requiremen­ts of the Abu Dhabi Mosques Developmen­t Regulation­s promulgate­d by the Committee for the Developmen­t of Mosques in the emirate.

The new taps that contain water saturation mechanisms to reduce the actual flow of water is made of safe material, which does not cause any change in the quality, colour or taste of water for human consumptio­n even if exposed to temperatur­es up to 90°C, according to authoritie­s.

Saeed Mohammed Al Suwaidi, general manager of the Abu Dhabi Distributi­on Company, said: “Through the project to reduce water consumptio­n in mosques, we are working to raise awareness among worshipper­s about the importance of reducing water wastage during ablution. The projects in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, which began operation in May 2017, aims to reduce 700,000 cubic metres of water consumed in mosques annually.

“Al Ain Distributi­on Company will also replace taps in all Al Ain mosques as a second phase of the project, which will start before the end of the current year.”

Dr Mohammad Matar Al Kaabi, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said: “The Prophet (PBUH) recommende­d that those who perform wudhu shouldn’t overspend even if they are on a river,” said Al Kaabi.

“Water is a grace and blessing from God that must be preserved for future generation­s.”

Worshipper­s welcome the imitative

“The new taps will help save a lot of water during the ablution process,” said Mousa Ali, a Sudanese resident of Mushrif area in Abu Dhabi

“A lot of water was being wasted with the old taps that flow out huge amount of water during ablution. Some reckless worshipper­s have been even leaving the taps open after ablution.”

Another worshipper, Hassan Yousuf, an Egyptian expat and a resident of Al Manasir, said replacing old ablution taps with new ones would reduce water consumptio­n and waste. “Water taps at various mosques have been not been efficient as they were splashing out a lot of water during wudhu,” he said.

“But with the new taps that are efficient, it would help many worshipper­s to save the water and avoid wastage as Islam discourage­s it.”

ismail@khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? Supplied photo ?? The new taps at mosques contain water saturation mechanisms to reduce the actual flow of water. —
Supplied photo The new taps at mosques contain water saturation mechanisms to reduce the actual flow of water. —

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