Dubai Municipality has extended the deadline for bids on a key engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for a dam rehabilitation project in Hatta, according to MEED. The updated submission deadline is now set for May 14, following an original deadline of April 16.
The project, managed by the Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department, involves the rehabilitation and construction of four dams: Hatta, Ghabra, Al-Khattem, and Suhaila. These dams, located in the Wadi Hatta region, are designed to capture seasonal rainfall, regulate water flow, and mitigate the risk of flash flooding.
The Hatta Dam stands at about 32 meters high with a crest length of 220 meters, and is composed of asphalt concrete and gravel embankment. Over time, exposure to heavy rainfall and natural wear has impacted critical structural components, leading to the need for rehabilitation to restore the dam’s integrity.
The $80 million project marks a major upgrade to the emirate’s flood-control infrastructure, which has been in place for decades. The work includes structural inspections, geological and hydrological surveys, concrete repairs, leakage control, and the installation of advanced monitoring and safety systems.
In 2024, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) completed a water reservoir project in Hatta, along with a nearby sustainable waterfall initiative. Binladin Contracting Group and Green Oasis General Contracting served as the main EPC contractors for those projects.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure is planning a major dam and canals project that will involve 13 residential areas across the UAE. Approved in 2024 by the Executive Committee for the President’s Initiatives, the $100 million project will include nine water dams, the expansion of two existing ones, and the creation of several embankment barriers. This project is still in its early stages and is expected to be tendered in 2027.
