With limited natural water resources, the country had no choice but to resort to well water and to the sea to provide its increasing population with the water they need.
Saudi Arabia has more desalination plants (located on the West and East coasts of the country) than any other country. These plants produce about 890 million cubic meters annually from 30 desalination plants split between the 2 coasts. Saudi Arabia accounts for 30% of the world's total output of desalinated water. Ground water is available from 18 aquifers with deep wells supplying water for municipal use, agriculture and industry. Water usage is split between irrigation (about 70%) municipal supply (about 25%) and industry (about 5%).