UAE bans groundwater exports

News from the Middle East shows the importance of water in the region. The UAE has recently banned the export of groundwater. The full press release is available here. This comes about after a study by the Ministry of Environment and Water shows a decline in groundwater levels and subsequent depletion of water resources as a result of exports. Reports from Qatar suggest it is concerned that this will result in rising prices for bottled water, as Saudi Arabia has also stopped exports of water. I'm unclear from the press release whether this applies to companies using groundwater in beverages that are then exported, but the indications from Qatar are that it will. I'm sure this will become more of an issue in the future.