<P> The three cities of Abu Dhabi Emirate within the United Arab Emirates--the coastal city Abu Dhabi itself (more than one million inhabitants) as well as the inland oases Al Ain (0, 4 million inhabitants) and Liwa (about 0, 1 million inhabitants)--receive their drinking water supply entirely from desalinated seawater . Their wastewater is being treated and reused for the irrigation of green spaces . </P> <P> There are two main sources of water in Abu Dhabi Emirate: Desalinated seawater and groundwater . While groundwater is used for agriculture in Al Ain and Liwa, drinking water is provided almost entirely from desalinated seawater across the Emirate . In 2008, groundwater contributed 71% to total water demand for all purposes, desalinated water 24% and treated wastewater 5% . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Seawater desalination </Dt> </Dl> <P> In 2010, there were eight seawater desalination plants in Abu Dhabi owned and operated by eight joint ventures: Tawilah A, Tawilah B, the five Umm al Nar plants and the Al Mirfa plant . These joint ventures between the government and foreign companies, which are allowed to own up to 40% of the shares, are called Independent Water & Power Producers (IWPPs). They operate under Build - Own - Operate (BOO) contracts with the government and their energy is supplied by fossil fuels . In the model green city called Masdar City, four smaller pilot desalination plants that will use solar power are nearing completion as of early 2015 . </P>

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