The United Arab Emirates has approved several water canal and dam projects to be deployed in various regions of the country, which according to the Emirates News Agency, is valued at AED162 million. The new projects are part of the continuous efforts to expand the UAE’s water infrastructure and facilities.
The plan includes the construction of a dam worth approximately AED 26.9 million in Wadi Naqab, Ras Al Khaimah, which will measure 22 metres high and 257 metres wide, with a capacity of around one million cubic meters. The dam will boost groundwater storage in agricultural areas, as well as administer the flow of water to nearby residential neighbourhoods. The reservoir is to be built in the principal valley of Wadi Naqab.
Once the dam is near completion, the project includes the development of water channels with regular and lined paths, as well as lakes and barriers to absorb and store large amounts of rain water and prevent waste.
The Emirates News Agency reports that the project will also consist of protection works, building water canals and various dams off the country’s eastern coast, as well as in Masfout, Siji and Shawka, for approximately AED122.6 million. They also comprise the construction of ferry and water drainage channels to protect housing areas in several regions of Fujairah, at a cost of AED76.2 million, along with the deployment of a number of water ferries and the maintenance of the Hazf Dam in Masfout, Ajman, at a cost of AED11.5 million. The series of projects will include three other projects related to draining rainwater and constructing ferries in Sharjah, at a total cost of AED19.4 million. These projects will be located in the Luluyah and Mediffi areas of Khor Fakkan, Al Saf and Sur Kalba, while the ferry project will be located at the Wadi Shawka Dam on the Al-Siji-Shawka Road. Another project in the series is the construction of urgent protection works in the village of Al Siji, as well as in Dafta, Ras Al Khaimah, costing AED15.5 million, as well as the construction of the Al Rahba Dam and protection works in Shaml, Ras Al Khaimah, costing AED11.9 million.
+info: medioambiente-tratamiento de aguas: Smart water magazine