Dubai has approved an integrated project ‘Tasreef’ to develop the emirate’s rainwater drainage network costing $8.2 billion, according to Arabian Business.
The project was described as “the largest rainwater collection system in the region” by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The new network will increase Dubai’s rainwater drainage capacity by 700 percent and “enhance the emirate’s readiness to face future climate challenges” according to Sheikh Mohammed.
It will collect over 20 million cubic meters of water per day serving Dubai’s needs “for the next hundred years.”
Sheikh Mohammed stated the project will “cover all areas of Dubai” and absorb more rainfall than existing infrastructure.
Work will begin “immediately” and be carried out in stages concluding in 2033.
According to a statement by the Office of Sheikh Mohammed, Dubai Municipality will implement the project, adhering to the highest global technical and engineering standards.
The initiative aligns with the Municipality’s strategic goals for the integrated management of rainwater drainage and the sewage system, and underscores its commitment to infrastructure projects that enhance sustainability and quality of life in Dubai.
The project will utilise the latest Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM), the largest of their kind in the Middle East, known for their efficiency, speed, and high precision in excavation, and their ability to handle various topographical conditions.