Dh1.5m liquid waste disposal unit opened

The Municipality yesterday commissioned a Dh1.5 million industrial liquid waste pond at Al Saja'a Industrial Area.

Engineer Ahmad Mohammed Fikri, director general of Sharjah Municipality, officially opened the pond with Abul Aziz Al Midfa, director general of Environment and Protected Areas Agency.

Fikri said: "The new facility complements an ongoing programme which aims to improve public health, safety and protect the environment."

He said the ponds would ensure better management and safe disposal of waste. The engineer added that the municipality would start discharging all industrial liquid waste at the two ponds. Septic tanks will not be allowed to discharge waste anywhere else in the emirate. Offenders will also be fined.

The ponds are covered with a liquid proof layer to prevent hazardous materials reaching underground water. The ponds are also equipped with a leakage detection system.

Al Midfa said: "The facility represents an integral part of today's sustainable development in the emirate. We hope that it will help in the safe disposal of industrial liquid waste and better waste management."

Engineer Yahya Ramandan Al Baloshi, head of Environmental Protection Section at Sharjah Municipality, said: "The industrial waste control facility and awareness programmes will help minimise odour problems and protect environmental pollution."