UAE | Environment

27 tankers caught and fined Dh50,000 for dumping sewage illegally in Dubai

Municipality caught 27 tankers illegally dumping sewage in August and fined each Dh50,000, which included the cost of cleaning and flushing out the storm water lines.

  • By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 15:48 September 28, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • The mess at the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. The Dubai Municipality said nearly 30 sewage tankers have been caught illegally dumping sewage around the city this month and each was fined a minimum of Dh50,000.
  • Image Credit: Emmanuelle Landais/Gulf News

Dubai: Storm drain manhole covers are being welded shut by the Dubai Municipality in an attempt to reduce illegal dumping of sewage.

Any suspicious looking manhole covers will be closed permanently, making them inaccessible to sewage tanker drivers hoping to illegally reduce their load, Gulf News has learned.

Raw sewage discharged on to Jumeirah beaches and the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club's harbour and shore put a stop to any swimming and seriously hampered sailing activities last week.

Dubai Municipality said in a statement that nearly 30 sewage tankers have been caught illegally dumping sewage around the city this month and were each fined a minimum of Dh50,000.

Sewage has recently been more frequently dumped in open areas or directly into the storm water network which discharges into the sea.

Abdul Majeed Sifaee, drainage network department director, said so far this month 27 tankers involved in this illegal activity were fined at least Dh50,000, which included a fine as well as the cost of cleaning and flushing out storm drainage lines.

Sifaee said tanker drivers are emptying their tankers full of sewage out in the open or into drainage networks in Al Quoz, Al Barsha and Nad Al Sheba that are designed to carry rain water into the sea.

"This has resulted in polluting part of the emirate's coast. Our staff are now keeping a close watch on those lawbreakers, who mainly empty the tankers between midnight and 5am daily so as to avoid detection.

"In the wake of the increased activity recently, we have requested the help of Dubai Police in putting an end to this phenomenon once and for all," Sifaee said.

Sewage tanker drivers have resorted to this practice to avoid the winding queues at the Al Aweer Sewage Treatment Plant. Some drivers have to wait for up to 12 hours to unload their tankers at the plant.

According to Sifaee, around five tankers resort to illegal dumping daily. This represents just one per cent of the sewage tankers operating in the city, but the action ultimately results in the pollution of sea water and affects the health of swimmers and beach-goers.

"We will take stern action against these law-breakers, including hefty fines that can go up to Dh100,000 and permanent cancellation of the vehicle licence as stipulated in Local Order No.11 of 2003," said Sifaee.

Parking lot at Al Aweer

According to Dubai Municipality, a project has begun to ease the congestion at the Al Aweer plant by reducing the time sewage tankers spend waiting to dump their loads.

The Maintenance Department is working on a new project to construct a 50,000 square metre parking lot for the tankers that will organise the sewage dumping process.

Once the project is completed in two months time, the tankers will be able to enter the plant in turn and dump their load in a hassle-free manner.

Jebel Ali: Guards intimidated

Sewage tanker drivers have threatened security guards of a company in Jebel Ali that has been plagued with tankers illegally dumping on their doorstep.

Seeping stinking water into their property even led managers to think a water pipeline had burst.

"Everyday about two tankers come and dump sewage on an empty plot near our factory. Before they came late at night or early morning, but nowadays they have started coming during the daytime, and more so during Ramadan," said A.J. a senior member of staff. "Our security guard has video footage on his phone. We tried to tell the drivers to stop, but they tried to hit us with their truck and damage our car. We have given five number plates to the police but nothing has happened," he said.

Helpline

Call the toll-free number 800 900 to report and inform on sewage being illegally dumped - if possible photos should be provided.

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