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Dubai approves $8bn stormwater project

25 June 2024

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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved a AED30bn ($8.16bn) project to develop Dubai's rainwater drainage network.

Known as Tasreef, the project is expected to enhance the capacity of Dubai’s rainwater drainage system by 700%, covering all areas of the emirate, according to the Emirates News Agency (Wam).

The announcement comes two months after a storm in April inundated Dubai, causing widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure and property in certain areas.

Related read: Flooding spotlights Dubai construction quality

According to Wam, the initiative aims to create an advanced, safe, flexible drainage infrastructure that is "ready to face future challenges".

"Today, we approved an integrated project to develop Dubai's rainwater drainage network at a cost of AED30bn. The largest rainwater collection project in a single system in the region, the initiative will increase the capacity of the drainage network in the emirate by 700%, ensuring the emirate's readiness to face future climate-related challenges," Sheikh Mohammed said.

The project will raise the emirate-wide drainage network’s capacity to more than 20 million cubic metres of water a day. It is envisaged to meet Dubai's needs for the next 100 years.

"We have directed the immediate implementation of the project, which will be completed in phases by 2033. Dubai continues to drive infrastructure and urban advancements, enhancing safety and security for everyone living in the emirate," Sheikh Mohammed said.

The project is a continuation of drainage projects launched by Dubai in 2019, covering the Expo Dubai area, Al-Maktoum International Airport City, and Jebel Ali.

Dubai Municipality will implement the Tasreef project.

The rainwater drainage capacity through tunnels will reach 20 million cubic metres a day, with a flow capacity of 230 cubic metres a second.

A source familiar with Dubai's infrastructure projects confirmed that the new project is part of the existing multibillion-dollar stormwater project in Dubai.

According to data from regional projects tracker MEED Projects, the Dubai Municipality Deep Tunnel Storm Water System (DTSWS) was first announced in 2014.

It has several components, and the first two packages covering Jebel Ali were awarded between 2017 and 2018 and completed in 2022.

The remaining packages of the master plan were on hold before the government's announcement on 24 June.

The DTSWS project is separate from the Dubai Strategic Sewage Tunnels project, which is expected to be developed under a public-private partnership contracting model.   

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Jennifer Aguinaldo

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