Dubai’s DEWA awards Dhs288m contract for 120 million gallon water reservoir

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded a contract worth Dhs288m ($78.4m) to construct a water reservoir in Al Nakhali in the Hatta region.

The reservoir will hold 120 million gallons of desalinated water, and increase Dubai’s storage capacity to 1,010 million gallons, a statement said.

The project includes the construction of two rectangular, reinforced, concrete 60-million-gallon reservoirs.

Construction and operation of the reservoir is expected to be completed within 24 months, DEWA said.

DEWA’s total storage capacity – currently at 830 million gallons, is expected to increase to 890 million gallons after the completion of the 60-million-gallon reservoir in Al Lusaily, which is slated for completion in 24 months.

“This project is in response to the continued growth in demand for water to meet the needs of ambitious urban, economic, and social projects, in line with DEWA’s strategy to provide water reservoirs,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of DEWA.

“It also enhances the efficiency and reliability of the water network and increases water flow to fullfil the increasing demand for water across all of Dubai,” he added.

Water demand has been rising across the UAE and in September last year, the country launched the Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure sustainable access to water during both normal and emergency conditions.

The overall objectives of the strategy are to reduce total demand for water resources by 21 per cent, increase the water productivity index to $110 per cubic metre, reduce the water scarcity index by three degrees, increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent and increase national water storage capacity up to two days.

It also aims to reduce average consumption per capita by half as well as focus on sustainable practices.

The strategy also includes the establishment of six connecting networks between water and electricity entities across the UAE. Water networks will be able to provide 91 litres of water per person per day in cases of emergency, or 30 litres per person per day in cases of extreme emergencies.

Once implemented, the strategy is hoped to achieve savings of Dhs74bn and reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, associated with water desalination process, by 100 million metric tonnes.