If you live in North America, you've probably never given the cost of water a second thought. In fact, you've probably taken its value for granted probably because it costs very little or because it's vastly abundant.
In places like Saudi Arabia, however, a liter of water costs
five times as much as a liter of gasoline. This is because much of the water in Saudi Arabia is seawater that is purified in desalinization plants (
Al Jubail desalination plant shown above). This price relative to fuel is quite different in the United States. For example, a liter of water (from a tap) is virtually free, while a liter of gasoline is around $0.75 (about $3.00 per gallon).
As a result of this significant difference in cost, it plays a major effect on human behavior of people that live in the Middle East. People in Saudi Arabia would have showers that use very little water as compared to those in the United States. They might even turn off the water while soaping up, only turning it back on to rinse off. They would not shower as often. Water would not be used to grow lawns or to wash cars. It is unlikely that water-intensive appliances, such as dishwashers, would be used.
