State utilities Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) and Abu Dhabi Electricity & Water Authority (Adwea) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for strategic water connections between the two emirates and exchange of potable water in emergencies.

In a released statement, Saeed Mohammed al-Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said that agreement was part of the strategic objectives of the UAE federal government, and in line with the recommendations of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036.

Al-Tayer said that Adwea and Dewa first started to study possible options for a water interconnection between the two emirates in 2007.

Under the terms of the MoU, Dewa and Adwea will carry out a feasibility study for water interconnection, and agree on a consultancy services tender which will be let to the market.