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RAK to get hi-tech sewerage system

The new system — the first of its kind in the emirate — is aimed at improving the emirate’s environment, reducing pollution, and enhancing the living conditions of its people.

“The new project is an inseparable part of the large-scale development strategy adopted by the RAK Government,” Shaikh Mohammed bin Kayed, Chairman of RSA, told Khaleej Times.

Due to the ineffectiveness of the current sewerage system, the puddles created by heavy rains and sewer water in different parts of the emirate have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, houseflies, cockroaches and rodents.

The three-stage project, being implemented under the direct supervision of Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, RAK Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, involves the use of state-of-the-art, cost-effective technology in this field, he said. “We have so far finished 30 per cent of the first stage, expected to be complete by 2007,” he said. This phase covers Al Iraibi area and the Industrial Zone with a total cost of Dh110 million, he said.

The second stage would cover Al Nakheel, Al Mamowrah, and Julphar neighbourhoods, costing around Dh110 million. “The consultant company is studying contractors’ bids for the second phase and the final result will be announced soon,” he said. The third stage would cover the area from Al Rems to Al Dhait, he said.

In its three stages, the project will produce 11, 12 and 40 million litres of treated sewerage water respectively, around 60 million litres in total, which would be used for agricultural and industrial purposes. RAK suffers from a lack of irrigation water, and is also witnessing a critical dip in the underground water level.

“We will be using a new, cost-effective technology of sewer water treatment that is 30 per cent cheaper than any of the old systems,” said Shaikh Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of RAK Economic Department.

The project is scheduled to be completed within four years and expected to cover all the emirate’s needs for the coming 30 years. This is taking in view all future increases in the emirate’s population, he added. The chairman of RSA also pointed out that plans were afoot to expand the new drainage system to cover the future needs of the emirate’s urban or industrial areas. “Each new expansion will have its own separate sewer unit linked with the main sewage system,” he said.

The RSA had recently announced that the connection fee of the new sewer system will vary from Dh1,000 for low-class commercial property that has one door to Dh15,000 for the three-storey luxury villas, and from Dh1 to Dh1.5 per square feet for petrol, car washing stations, labour camps and warehouses.

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