Dubai Municipality has begun exploratory work for a deep tunnel sewerage project that will cover the key catchment areas of Deira and Bur Dubai.

The Dubai Strategic Sewer Tunnel Project, which is estimated to cost nearly Dh12 billion ($3.26 billion), will involve the construction of more than 70 km of tunnels supported by about 140 km of link sewers and key pumping stations.

 The US-based Parsons Overseas has been appointed the engineering consultant for the giant project, said the Dubai Municipality.

When completed in 2022, the project will eliminate over 100 pump stations around the city that currently transfer sewage to treatment plants in Al Warsan and Jebel Ali. Dubai Municipality, which has commenced a geotechnical investigation for the project, said the key objectives are to reduce the cost of treating sewage, carbon emissions through the use of gravity systems, and power demand.

“The sewerage infrastructure is part of the essential infrastructure of a modern city,” remarked Hussain Nasser Lootah, the director general of Dubai Municipality.

“To fulfil the city’s needs, Dubai has approved an integrated plan proposal to expand the existing sewerage system and improve the arrangements for sewage disposal by combining land-based sewage treatment and a deep tunnel sewage conveyance system,” he added.