Page 445 - Records of Bahrain (7) (ii)_Neat
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Rural resources 835
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2. BAPCO have drawn up a report on the use of water in Bahrain.
(Be 1 grave has a copy) and in it they estimate daily consumption at
about 70 million gallons for all purposes. In another paper, which
Godfrey showed me, they consider that, on an average, there has been
a lowering of the static head of nearly 2 inches a year since 1932.
Not all of this is due to the use of water in Bahrain as some years
ago the Saudis started uncontrolled exploitation of water from the
same underground supply,
Godfrey says that the water duties for gardens and agriculture
in general are very heavy in Bahrain because of the necessity of
washing the salts down. Even so, the figures shown in the BAPCO
report are incredibly high and need checking by an expert.
3. Godfrey said that BAPCO, who use a considerable amount of
water in the refinery come in for much criticism, They have always
taken a great interest in the water question in general and have
two men engaged on it: they have for some time felt that the Bahrain
Government should engage consultants to examine the whole question,
and suggested this a year ago but without any result. I spoke to
Belgrave and he seemed to be in favour of it.
Thornberg had suggested to me that it might be a good thing
if some of the Point Four team of irrigation engineers now working
on the Litani River hydro-electric project in the Lebanon came here
and looked at the submarine marine springs.
I am entirely in favour of the Bahrain Government engaging
good consultants but am opposed to the work being done by Point Four
because cheap technicians bear no responsibility for their recommendations
whereas a well-known firm of consultants has its good name to consider.
Belgrave said he agreed with me and thought the Ruler would prefer to
engage consultants and to have nothing to do with Point Four.
I hope the Bahrain Government engages consultants, It is
unsatisfactory having one of the biggest users of water acting in
that capacity.
