Wastewater reuse in Kuwait: opportunities and constraints

Availability of adequate water resources is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. Because of its very limited amounts of freshwater resources, Kuwait has depended on the expensive desalination of seawater for many years to satisfy almost all of its water demands. In order to cope with its water scarcity problems, over the last two decades, Kuwait has vigorously implemented a plan to reuse treated municipal wastewater. This paper assesses the qualities of municipal and industrial wastewater in Kuwait, and focuses on the main opportunities and constraints to wastewater reclamation and reuse in Kuwait. The paper also provides recommendations that will help surmount the constraints.