Dubai’s government is set to spend $354 million on the development of rain and groundwater drainage systems for the districts around the Al Maktoum International Airport, Expo 2020 and other nearby urban centres.

According to a news report by WAM, the funds have been approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, and Chairman of Dubai Municipality.

The project will cover a total area of 400 square kilometres, it added.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said that the project underlines the government’s commitment to implement projects that serve Dubai’s future vision, which is to maintain its standing as a metropolitan city and one of the world’s smartest and sustainable urban areas.

He added that the project will have a second phase, which will take the total cost to $680 million.

“It entails a deep tunnel network for the collection and disposal of rain and groundwater and represents a long-term solution that will be sufficient for the next 100 years,” Lootah explained.
This system has the capacity to treat 6.5 million cu m of water per minute, he concluded.