Abu Dhabi: A new master plan will soon ensure that 90 per cent or more of the water used for irrigating parks and streetscapes in the capital is derived from recycled sources, senior municipal officials announced in the capital on Monday. The official did not elaborate how much the new move will save but said this will ensure the sustainability of the green areas in the capital.
Currently, nearly 70 per cent of the water used for irrigation comes from recycled sources such as treated wastewater, while the rest is made up of desalinated water and ground water, said Rashid Al Falasi, director of parks and recreational facilities at the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City.
“Increasing our use of recycled water for the greening of the city will make irrigation a more sustainable process. In addition, the new master plan will optimise our use of sewage water,” Al Falasi added.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Middle East Smart Landscape Summit, where over 400 industry executives and government officials met to discuss the latest trends, challenges and technologies in landscaping.
According to details revealed at the summit, the municipality currently oversees more than 5,000 kilometres of irrigation pipelines. These pipelines are distributed across the 11,000 square kilometres of land under the municipality’s jurisdiction on Abu Dhabi island and mainland.
Dr Amar Jarar, irrigation expert at the municipality, said 146 reservoirs and pumping stations serve this area.
Waste water is collected, treated and delivered to the municipality’s pumping stations by the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company. The municipality then distributes the water based on irrigation needs in various areas.
In March 2013, work began on the new master plan, which aims to collect data on irrigation water demand and supply, identify assets, and set guidelines based on the changing needs of the city as it develops, Al Falasi said.
“An optimum hydraulic model will be developed, and the master plan will be completed by the third quarter of 2014. Based on this plan, we can determine how long it will take to maximise wastewater use for irrigation,” he added.
Dr Jarar also explained that the hydraulic model will be developed after mapping the entire irrigation network, and determining demand and supply. The capacity to handle the flow required at each point will also be tested, and areas of growing demand will be marked out.
“In addition, the master plan will adhere to Estidama standards set by the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, which require that only 4.5 litres of water are used for irrigating each square metre of land,” he added.
About a year and a half ago, irrigation networks in certain areas, such as those along medians in the Corniche, were revamped to ensure efficient and sustainable use of water, the officials said.
A landscaping master plan will also be developed by the municipality to determine and guide the use of sustainable elements for greening and aesthetics in the city, and this will complement the irrigation master plan, they added.
