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Sewage stench an irritant for International City residents
DUBAI - Residents of International City (IC) continue to be disturbed and embarrassed by the stench emanating from a sewage treatment plant located nearby in Al Aweer.
- PUBLISHED: Wed 28 Nov 2007, 9:24 AM UPDATED: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:41 AM
- By:
- Mary Nammour And Joy Sengupta (Our staff reporters)
The IC residents had hoped the Dubai Municipality and other authorities concerned would swiftly resolve this problem which was brought to their notice several months ago.
Fadi Al Zoughby, a consultant engineer and resident of China Cluster, said it was high time a logical solution was found.
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“The stench is not only in International City but pervades many other projects located along Emirates Road. The sewage treatment plant is no more in a desert or an isolated area. The area is increasingly dotted with residential complexes, hotels and apartments. People living in Al Warqaa are also being affected by the smell,” Al Zoughby said.
“Adults may be able to put up with the foul smell to a certain extent but how are our kids supposed to get along with it? They are more likely to contract illnesses,” Al Zoughby added.
Inas, a public relations executive who lives in Persia Cluster in IC, said the place stinks. “I am using all kinds of perfumes including scented candles and aromatherapy products to spread a nice odour inside my house. However, the stench becomes stronger with high humidity and strong winds. The stench is too much at night.” Inas said.
Sam Barbari, a freelance photographer who lives in the IC Morocco Cluster, said he was embarrassed whenever any guest comes to his place.
Eva Khoury, a graphic designer living in Italy Cluster, gave vent to her frustration when Khaleej Times approached her. “I hope the authorities concerned will respond to our call for shifting the sewage treatment plant to another location,” Khoury noted.
Michael Macaraig from the Customer Care Service in Nakheel, the real estate developer of International City, said the company had already received hundreds of complaints from residents in the city demanding swift action.
“The problem was reported to Dubai Municipality more than six months ago. The officials are aware of it and to the best of our knowledge they will sort it out. The ball is not in our court for the time being,” Macaraig said.
The officials of the Drainage and Irrigation Department of the Dubai Municipality said the matter would be resolved soon.
“The civic body is looking into the issue. A new sewage treatment plant is coming up at Jebel Ali at a cost of Dh1.5 billion. The new plant would supplement the plant at Al Aweer in meeting the present and future treatment requirements,” said a senior official.“Besides, the DM has signed an agreement with the Al Serkal Group to build and operate a new sewage treatment plant at Al Aweer at an initial cost of Dh8 million. The treatment plant is expected to start functioning soon. These projects would be solving the problem once and for all,” added the official.