Opinion | Editorials
Keep sewage off Dubai beaches
Municipality was right to close a section of Jumeirah beach because raw sewage carrying E.coli bacteria is being dumped by irresponsible lorry drivers into the sea. People's health must take priority.
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:26 October 7, 2008
Dubai Municipality was right to close a section of Jumeirah beach because raw sewage carrying E.coli bacteria is being dumped by irresponsible lorry drivers into the sea. People's health must take priority.
But closing the beach is not the answer. It can only be a stopgap action which recognises the seriousness of the situation, and protects people from serious illness until a permanent answer is found to this outrage.
This disgraceful situation has been caused by a few lorry drivers breaking the law, and by the inadequate facilities at the sewage treatment plant in Al Awir. The drivers empty cesspits in Dubai, and then are supposed to take the sewage to the treatment plant. But because of the 10-hour queues of lorries waiting to empty their loads, some drivers choose to open their taps in the desert or into the road system's storm drains.
The drains then carry the sewage to the sea and onto the beaches. The answer is to catch those dumping illegally through a concerted plan for increased vigilance. But the capacity of the Al Awir plant needs to be increased. Finally, maybe the lorry drivers should not be paid by the pick-up, but by the drop-off. They would then have an incentive to abide by the law.
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