UAE | Environment
Dubai's 'beaches are clean'
Issue of sewage pumping is resolved and tests prove there are no pollutants.
- By Ashfaq Ahmed, Chief Reporter
- Published: 22:57 February 1, 2009
- Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News
- Beach lovers in Dubai made the most of the sunny weather yesterday and enjoyed relaxing at Jumeirah beach.
Dubai: Dubai's beaches are clean and free of pollution, said chief of the civic authority Hussain Nasser Lootah, dispelling fresh reports that beaches are tainted with sewage water.
"Beach goers should not worry at all as Dubai beaches are absolutely safe for swimming and the issue of sewage dumping was resolved a month ago," Lootah told reporters on Sunday.
He said the water samples from the beaches were tested recently and were cleared of any pollutants harmful for human health.
"We took very serious note of illegal dumping of sewage by some sewage tanker drivers in the storm drains opening in the sea. At least 208 sewage tankers were issued fines," said Lootah, who has recently been appointed as Director General of the Dubai Municipality.
He said the municipality teams are working in close coordination with the sewage tanker companies and the Dubai Police to catch the culprits and to create awareness amongst tanker drivers. Hefty fines of Dh100,000 for illegal dumping of sewage has also deterred tanker drivers from discharging sewage in storm drains and the desert.
The municipality has also announced a cash reward of Dh2000 for whoever tips-off the civic body about such attempts and some 30 people have already benefited from this as well.
The beach at Jumeirah Sailing Club was affected in October last year when raw sewage entered the beaches through storm drains as drivers of tankers carrying sewage emptied their tankers in the storm drains to avoid day-long queues at the sewage treatment plant.
Meanwhile, Salem Bin Mohammad Mesmar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Health, Safety and Environment Control, said the periodic lab tests show that the water is safe to swim and there is no health hazard whatsoever.
"We had closed the beach for a brief period earlier last month and had reopened it January 20 after taking the necessary steps to ensure its water quality. At present, people are swimming [in the water at] all beaches," he added. Mesmar added that the Municipality takes water samples from all of Dubai's 12 beaches regularly and tests them at the Dubai Central Laboratory.
"Our latest tests show that the presence of E.Coli in the water is within the permitted level which is less than 100 MPN (Maximum Probable Number)," he said.
Have you been to the beach recently? How was the quality of the water? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I've been to the beach at the JBR on Saturday ... the water seemed fine and didn't stink ... but when I got out i started getting those red rashes all over my body ... and it also happened to my friend who was with me in the water .... and this has never happened to either of us before .... could that be related?
Mohammad Salama
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 02, 2009, 11:29
What about hobby fishing? How come there's no place to fish these days? Even that small area in Creek Park is now closed from this harmless, stress-releiving and relaxing activity. Could authorities please let hobbyists fish again, while the weather's still cool?
Antonio Agustin JR.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 02, 2009, 11:09
I was in Dubai in October last year. I was mortified by the condition of the beaches. There was garbage on the sand and as I walked along the shoreline, there were several dead fish. The fish on the beach had missing eyes. I never seen this before on a public beach. There was probably a dozen fish in this condition. I also saw local workers dumping garbage in the water. This was attracting large fish. These large fish were actually sharks. Overall, I was pretty disappointed in the condition of the beaches. I sure hope today that these issues have been addressed. Dubai is a beautiful place.
Heather Dillan
Guelph,Canada
Posted: February 02, 2009, 05:55
Your beach, your country, your people are very beautiful, in the my visit. Dubai has the best beach in the world because it is a natural beach. No hotel, no restaurant, nothing to disturb the people and tourism. I hope it stays that way.
John Traversi
Bellinzona,Switzerland
Posted: February 02, 2009, 00:31
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Bridges needed
- Sharjah festival to enlighten heritage lovers
- Reimbursement of ID card fines to start in March
- Last chance for subscribers to win big
- Gang charged with robbery using air-freshener
- it was just a ‘vampire' game, driver tells court
- Restaurateur in Abu Dhabi found dead in flat
- Dubai Police solve murder mystery
- Educating fussy Emirati jobseekers
- 9 injured as paraglider crashes into stadium
- Abu Dhabi Police rescue victims of car crash
- Compensation to vary for fire victims
- Police honour residents who reported crime
- Move to promote Abu Dhabi tourism
- RTA: 0.25m YouTube, Facebook, Twitter followers
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
