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 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 90C, 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."
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