Smart metering for better groundwater management in Abu Dhabi

​​Around 22,000 groundwater wells on farms and forests across Abu Dhabi Emirate are receiving smart meters with remote telemetry. Well by well, they will give the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) continuous, verified data on groundwater abstraction for allocation, compliance and long-term planning. 

Reliable metering starts with knowing the wells. Approximately 48,000 wells must first be verified in the field for identity, operating condition and discharge, so that the productive wells with at least 10 m³/h can be selected. Each site brings its own installation and communication constraints. 

As EAD's consultant, Dorsch Abu Dhabi links field surveys, metering design, procurement support, installation supervision and oversight of the Groundwater Metering Information System (GMIS) in one controlled chain from field to database. Validated survey data feeds site-specific designs, and meters, telemetry and data transmission are tested before acceptance.​ 

Map of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi showing groundwater sites marked by coloured symbols and grouped into categories including exploration and monitoring, wellfields, farms and households.

Areas of Expertise

  • Water
  • Water Resource Management

Companies

DC Abu Dhabi

Project Activities

​​As consultant to EAD, Dorsch Abu Dhabi provides design and supervision services for smart metering of approx. 22,000 productive groundwater wells (≥ 10 m³/h) and the associated GMIS: 

  • Project management: coordination of programme, interfaces, decisions, risks and reporting
  • Review of existing EAD records; planning and supervision of well surveys, discharge measurement and data validation for approx. 48,000 wells
  • Standard and site-specific metering installation design (mechanical, civil, electrical, communication and HSE requirements)
  • Tendering support: contract document review, technical requirements and BOQ, bidder clarifications and technical evaluation for the meter installation and IT contractors
  • Installation supervision: submittal review, material inspection, quality and progress monitoring
  • GMIS technical oversight: system assessment, requirements, architecture, IT procurement support and supervision of implementation, integration and testing
  • QA/QC and field HSE oversight, incl. audits, data checks and NCR management
  • Testing and commissioning of meters, power supply, telemetry, data transmission and integration, incl. trial operation
  • Training support and verification of final asset, GIS, GMIS, O&M and closeout records​ 

Impact

  • Smart metering with remote telemetry at approximately 22,000 productive groundwater wells across around 20,000 farms and forest sites
  • Coverage of 14,681 wells on private farms, 6,849 in the forestry sector and 470 held by ADAFSA
  • A verified, traceable dataset on wells and groundwater abstraction
  • Reliable, continuous measurement of groundwater abstraction across Abu Dhabi Emirate
  • An operational GMIS linking groundwater well meters with reporting
  • Better information for abstraction metering, allocation control, compliance and long-term groundwater resource planning
  • Trained users and complete O&M, asset and data records at handover 

Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to making a positive impact and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project contributes to the following SDGs:

Clean water and sanitation
Responsible consumption and production

Companies