Ajman Ruler Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has signed into effect a new law to pave the way for a $140-million sewage treatment system in the UAE emirate.

The Sewer Law, the first of its kind for Ajman, formally establishes a new concession company that will build, operate and manage the system for 25 years.

The new company - named the Ajman Sewerage (Private) Company Limited - is a partnership between the Ajman government and wastewater specialists Thames Water and Black & Veatch.

One of the first tasks for the new company is a census and registration exercise to identify every property in Ajman and its owner/occupier. This work is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The Sewer Law stipulates that every property owner in Ajman is to contribute to the project by paying the consortium firm a mandatory connection fee.

"This is one of the most important new laws that we have ever enacted," Shaikh Humaid said.

"I am now urging Ajman government institutions and all property owners in the emirate to cooperate fully with the census and registration exercise that will be undertaken during the coming weeks."

The sewage treatment system will be one of the biggest construction projects ever undertaken in Ajman. When completed in four years' time, the system will be able to cater to a population of 300,000.

The scope of the work includes the construction of a centralised sewage treatment plant, more than 15 pump stations and 200 km of sewer network pipeline.