Towards Assessment of Saudi Arabia Public Awareness of Water Shortage Problem

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is located in a very harsh natural desert environment with no rivers or lakes and an average yearly rainfall of less than 100 mm. The country is under extreme water shortage conditions. To meet the ever increasing water demand, KSA currently produces around 1 Billion Cubic Meter of desalinated sea water per year with an average cost of 0.80 US $/ m3. The current water pricing system does not meet this cost. The water supplied to public almost free, where an average Saudi family pays less than 2 US $ per month for water. The current investigation was designed and implemented to measure the public awareness of water shortage problem and their wiliness to pay for water. One hundred and ninety-six questionnaires were completed online and in person in Al Khobar City at the Eastern Province of KSA. Results from the survey show low-level of water shortage awareness among respondents. Extensive work is urgently needed to increase water awareness through water media campaigns. It shows also that the majority of respondents believe that they do not pay much for water. The current water pricing system should go through an intensive review and should be considered as an economic incentives tool for water conservation.