The Municipality of Dubai has started operating a hazardous industrial waste water treatment facility in Jebel Ali, reports Utilities Middle East. This is one of the Emirate’s innovative projects to enhance the transition to a green economy. The plant uses cutting-edge technology and follows international best practices. Treated waste water can be used afterwards for irrigation purposes, as the plant achieves the highest environmental standards.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, recognising the potential impact of hazardous waste on human health and the environment, said appropriate strategies are needed for its disposal in order to achieve sustainability and maintain quality of life. The current project conforms to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and is in line with the environmental objectives of the country’s national agenda and the Dubai 2021 Plan.
The plant, a pioneering project with a capacity of 600 m3 of liquid waste per day, uses state-of-the-art technology, including Artificial Intelligence. It constitutes an important step towards the objective of completing Dubai’s waste management system.
According to Engineer Abdulmajeed Saifaie, Director of the Waste Management Department, this unique project was based on a detailed assessment of international best practices in the field, including a comparison of different treatment systems, to finally choose the technology best suited to the characteristics of the industrial waste produced in the emirate. Among the types of wastes that can be processed are acid and petroleum wastes, liquid fats, and wastes with a high concentration of heavy metals or other toxic components. Mr Saifaie said that up to 75% of the wastewater can be turned into water suitable for irrigation purposes; it can also be used for equipment washing and other processes in the plant itself, thus reducing potable water consumption.
“In addition, the station is equipped with an Artificial Intelligence system, which contains intelligent sensors capable of reading the quality of water entering the various units of the station, enabling it to carry out the processes without any human intervention from the receipt of waste until the completion of the process of directing treated waste to storage units”. He added that the use of these technologies follows Dubai’s ambition to encourage smart projects and systems to serve its citizens, particularly concerning infrastructure.
