Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has approved efforts to improve wastewater in the emirate.
The Tasreef project will cost 30 billion dirhams ($8.16 billion), Dubai Government Media Office said in a statement.
The program will be rolled out immediately and is expected to be completed by 2033.
It will cover the entire Dubai area and be able to treat more than 20 million cubic metres of water per day, Sheikh Mohammed said 1 billion dirhams had been approved, Emirates Government Media Office reported.
“This initiative is the largest single-system rainwater harvesting project in the region. It will increase the capacity of the emirate’s sewerage network by 700 percent and ensure the emirate is prepared for future climate-related challenges.
“The project will cover all areas of Dubai and increase the sewerage network’s treatment capacity to more than 20 million cubic metres daily, meeting our needs for the next 100 years.
“We have ordered the immediate implementation of the project and plan to complete it in stages by 2033.
“Dubai will continue to drive infrastructure and urban development, improving safety for all residents of the emirate.”
This strategic project is a continuation of the drainage project Dubai launched in 2019. The media office said the expo area would include Dubai, Al Maktoum International Airport City and Jebel Ali.
In April, the UAE recorded its heaviest rains in 75 years. The historic storm resulted in flooding of buildings and roads, stranding cars on highways and causing flights to be cancelled, delayed or rerouted.
Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) will be used in the project, the media office reported. These will be equipped with automated control systems that allow for continuous monitoring and data analysis and will have modern safety systems to ensure the safety of workers and equipment.