The decision was taken at a meeting of the Ministerial Council for Services under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

According to state news agency WAM, Ministerial Council for Services was acting upon the recommendation from the Federal National Council, the country's parliamentary body, in this regard which was based on a study carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Water.

The study had shown a decline in the underground water levels of the country and the depletion of water resources as a result of export.

The council also reviewed the mechanism for activating the law of consumer protection and the role of the Ministry of Economy in enforcing those rules.