UAE oil spill: Authorities confirm drinking water remains safe amid precautionary measures

Abu Dhabi authorities have confirmed that the safety of the UAE's drinking water supply remains intact despite an oil spill in the country's territorial waters. Etihad Water and Electricity, the utility responsible for water supply, outlined the precautionary measures being taken to ensure water quality. These measures include enhanced monitoring of seawater quality at intake points, regular testing of water supplies during production and distribution, and strict compliance checks to ensure the water meets approved standards before being pumped into the network.

Etihad Water and Electricity stressed that protecting drinking water quality remains their top priority and assured customers that the additional precautions would not impact water supplies. Monitoring and testing are ongoing as authorities respond to the marine pollution incident. The oil slick, as monitored by satellite images on October 30, is currently concentrated off Umm Al Quwain, with parts extending towards coastal areas in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Sharjah.

The source of the leak has been stopped, and teams are continuing containment, monitoring, and coastal clean-up operations using primarily mechanical methods and chemical dispersants in accordance with international standards. Beach closures in the affected areas are precautionary, not necessarily indicating pollution at every closed location, and are intended to protect public health and the marine environment during survey, monitoring, and clean-up work.

Residents and visitors are urged to follow official instructions and avoid beaches and coastal areas under temporary restrictions. The security and monitoring of the oil tanker GEM NO.2 are also priority, with specialist teams repairing damaged sections, restoring operating systems, and assessing hull integrity. No new oil leaks were detected in the latest assessments.

Federal and local authorities are collaborating on joint operations to contain the pollution, limit its spread, and safeguard marine and coastal environments. Further updates on the situation will be provided through official channels.