Dubai: A new stormwater and groundwater drainage network will be constructed in Dubai Investments Park (DIP), six months after the development and other areas in Jebel Ali suffered massive flooding due to heavy rain.
Communities and industrial areas in the Jebel Ali area, including DIP, were inundated in two to four feet of water in March when torrential rain lashed the city from morning to 4pm. Water coming from the high point of the hilly area of Jebel Ali came rushing down on communities, converting many into catchment areas.
DIP, the largest integrated commercial, industrial and residential community in the Middle East, on Tuesday announced that it has signed an agreement with MWH, now part of Stantec and a global leader in wet infrastructure, to design the drainage network within the development to prevent flooding in the area.
The drainage network will cover the 2,300 hectare-Dubai Investments Park. The project is part of DIP’s concerted efforts to keep upgrading its infrastructure in order to manage groundwater levels, prevent property inundation and mitigate flooding in the event of heavy rainfall, which has been an issue in low-lying areas within the development.
The agreement to engage MWH for the design project was signed by Omar Al Mesmar, DIP general manager, and Wessam Daoud, Middle East regional director at MWH.
The design project started in August and will be completed in four months. The new facility will be connected to the main Dubai Municipality drainage network for Dubai South and adjacent communities, once completed.
A network of approximately 147km of pipeline with nearly 2,000 manholes, five ponds and five lift stations will make up the stormwater network.
“Dubai Investments Park’s agreement with MWH is aimed at implementing an efficient flood management plan with minimum public access interruption,” Al Mesmar said.
In March, the massive flooding disrupted life in the area which left residents stranded, scores of cars submerged in flood waters, and homes damaged. Authorities from Dubai Municipality, Roads and Transport Authority and developers of these areas worked non-stop to help the residents.
Al Mesmar added: “The complex network of inlets and conduits requires extensive evaluation and DIP is working closely with MWH to design a balanced storm water management system on a priority basis.”
Daoud said MWH is bringing together a team of international experts “to plan innovative solutions to design the drainage network and ensure that the drainage needs of the DIP community are met in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner”.
MWH developed the first-ever sewerage, stormwater and groundwater drainage and irrigation master plan for Dubai and has also been assigned by Dubai Municipality to undertake the engineering design for the drainage systems for Dubai South.
Over the years, DIP has spent over Dh4 billion in enhancing and improving the infrastructure to international standards.
