Saudi Arabia has started taxing water for the first time, as the nation's unsustainable use of water is fast depleting its reserves; unless action is taken it could soon lead to an environmental and social catastrophe, say scientists. " Official estimates have been disclosed showing an acute drop in water levels in agricultural areas, and that indicates the seriousness of the situation", warns Al-Ghamdi of King Faisal University . Groundwater accounts for 98% of water sources in Saudi Arabia , as it has no rivers or lakes, however, reports reveal that the reservoirs in central Saudi Arabia have "turned into sand pits". Saudi Arabia is already grappling with the collapse in oil prices and military expenses in Yemen and Saudi Arabia , burning through its foreign reserves at an alarming pace. Last December, the official Saudi Press Agency reported that Riyadh had decided to raise gasoline prices by more than 50 percent for some products. This follows our report last week warning at least two-thirds of the global population live severe water scarcity for last week a year.
Saudi Arabia has started taxing water for the first time, as the nation's unsustainable use of water is fast depleting its reserves; unless action is taken it could soon lead to an environmental and social catastrophe, say scientists. "Official estimates have been disclosed showing an acute drop in water levels in agricultural areas, and that indicates the seriousness of the situation", warns Al-Ghamdi of King Faisal University . Groundwater accounts for 98% of water sources in Saudi Arabia , as it has no rivers or lakes, however, reports reveal that the reservoirs in central Saudi Arabia have "turned into sand pits". Saudi Arabia is already grappling with the collapse in oil prices and military expenses in Yemen and Saudi Arabia , burning through its foreign reserves at an alarming pace. This follows our report last week warning at least two-thirds of the global population live severe water scarcity for last week a year.