Work begins on Ajman sewerage

Construction has commenced on the main sewage treatment works that mark the cornerstone of the Dh515 million sewerage treatment project that is now underway.

The high-tech works, being constructed in a desert on the outskirts of the city, are scheduled to be completed in August, 2005.

Treated effluent from the works will be used to help considerably enhance the environment of Ajman by supplying water for use in irrigation and greening.

Ajman Sewerage Company's general manager, Bob Taylor, said: "The start of work on the treatment plant marks a major milestone in this project that will provide a much cleaner and healthier environment for the residents of Ajman in the future.

"Treated effluent from the plant will play a major role in improving the environment through the provision of a new water resource in such an arid area.

"To ensure that the estimated 9,000 property owners in Ajman can fully benefit from this system we are now contacting every property owner to ask them to complete a registration form that will ensure their property is connected to the modern sewerage system now being created."

Over 900 people will be employed in building the treatment works, with 50 working at the plant full-time to operate and maintain it.

Taylor added that the initial phase of the works is anticipated to come on line in August, 2004, when partial treatment of sewage will be possible.

The plant has been designed to handle up to 49,000 cubic metres of waste per day in the initial phase to serve a population of approximately 245,000 people.It has also been designed with the capability to expand in the future to cope with a population of up to 380,000 people as the emirate of Ajman grows.

Ajman Sewerage Company estimates that the plant will be able to provide up to 35,000 cubic metres of effluent per day for use for irrigation purposes. The water supplied will have been fully treated, including a final phase in the process where the effluent will be disinfected.

In addition to the treatment works, the massive infrastructure project also involves building 22 individual (mostly underground) pumping stations and laying of over 250 kilometres of pipelines to connect the properties to the system.

It will take an estimated four years to complete the project that is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in Ajman.

The Ajman Sewerage Company is a joint venture owned by the Government of Ajman, Thames Water, Black and Veatch and Six Construct.

Thames Water and Black and Veatch are two world leaders in the provision of wastewater services and infrastructure systems, and Six Construct, part of Belgium's Besix, is a leading civil and infrastructure constructor.

Thames Water Middle East will be the operations and maintenance contractor for the duration of the 27.5-year, build, operate and transfer contract while Black & Veatch is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor, and Six Construct will undertake the civil engineering work on the project.