DUBAI // Tanker drivers, some of whom have been illegally dumping raw sewage into drains, will be issued "appointment tickets" by the city's only waste treatment plant so they no longer have to wait hours in line. The municipality said yesterday it hoped the electronic ticket system would ease the 12-hour queues at Al Aweer treatment plant, and stop impatient drivers from illegally discharging waste into drains.
Drivers will be expected to take a ticket and then return later at the appointed time, officials said, while a 50,000sq/m car park would also be made available to them. The new system is expected to be up and running within the next month. Al Aweer has only 40 pump outlets and limited parking but has to accommodate 10,000 lorry deliveries a day. "These new systems will reduce the frustration of the drivers as they can leave their vehicle at the parking area and discharge the sewage when their turn comes as per the electronic queuing method," a spokesman for the municipality said.
"Once the project is completed within a month, the tankers will be able to enter the plant according to their turn and complete the dumping process in a hassle-free way." Illegally dumped sewage has already closed one public beach and polluted the waters of a sailing club, while reports continue to surface of sewage washing up on shores. Last month, the harbour of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club was swamped in human effluent from the drainage system.
A nearby public beach was also closed after its waters were tainted with raw sewage. Tests showed high levels of bacteria linked to a number of diseases. The National also reported yesterday that algae was breeding in foul-smelling pools of water in the car parks of Dubai Internet City, although the municipality said the problem was caused by dumping by construction workers. Officials said tanker drivers continued to empty their tankers in open areas or through the storm water networks in Al Quoz, Al Barsha and Nad Al Sheba, often between midnight and 5am to avoid detection.
The city's drainage department caught 27 tankers in the act last month and fined them each Dh50,000 (US$13,600). The municipality said a new treatment plant, due to open in Jebel Ali in June, was expected to end the problem. "Once this is ready tankers can just discharge the sewage and leave immediately," said the spokesman. The municipality has sent messages to all sewage companies warning them of severe action, including fines of up to Dh100,000, for illegal dumping.
Salem bin Mesmar, the city's assistant director general for health, safety and environment, said in addition to the fines authorities would temporarily confiscate tankers and suspend the trade licence of transport companies found in breach of the regulations. Companies found to have altered their tankers to dump illegally through concealed holes would also face penalties, he said. Illegal sewage dumping can be reported to the municipality by calling 800 900.
@Email:pmenon@thenational.ae