Masdar Institute develops new device to help save water

As mosques across the UAE experience their maximum water consumption during heavily attended Ramadan prayers, a novel device from a Masdar Institute and UAE national faculty student is being looked at with the promise of water- and cost-savings.

Dr. Ahmed Al Jaberi, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Masdar Institute, is working with PhD student Mohamed Al Musharrekh to develop a water-saving device for mosques that promises to save up to 95% of water during the pre-prayer ablution process known as wudu.

They are currently in the final preparation stages of getting their device installed at a number of mosques in the capital to test and demonstrate its ability to save precious water.

"With Ramadan greatly increasing attendance in mosques, the time is ripe for a new, affordable and easy-to-use device that can save water during wudu," Dr. Al Jaberi explained.

The sustainable and ornately designed device can help reduce water-wastage by informing users of how much water they have used while performing their wudu. The device displays levels for water usage and can easily be attached to water faucets without any changes to the existing infrastructure.

"My traditional, easy-to-implement and easy-to-use device offers a solution to the national need to conserve water," Dr. Al Jaberi said, adding, "The culture of innovation permeating Masdar Institute is what makes inventions like this device possible."

In response to the UAE's need to preserve water while honouring Islamic values, Dr. Al Jaberi's device, which he has developed with the support of his student Mohamed Al Musharrekh, will enable users to easily use the prescribed amount of water while minimising waste.

UAE officials have been keen to reduce water consumption in mosques for years, making concerted efforts to equip mosques with water-saving technology. They believe such efforts could help lower the UAE's high per capita water consumption.

In 2012, a team of Abu Dhabi-based university students won a US$5,000 grant to implement their green wudu idea, which collects used ablution water for re-use as landscape irrigation around the mosques.

And in 2010, 20 self-stopping taps were installed in the Abu Hamed Al Gazali Mosque in Dubai, helping consumption to drop by over 15,000 gallons, or 30%.

Mohamed Al Musharrekh said, "These efforts reflect the UAE's commitment to sustainability, while supporting the message of the Prophet s (PBUH), who said, 'Do not waste water, even if you perform your wudu on the banks of an abundantly-flowing river'."