UMM AL QUWAIN // Nearly Dh12 million will be spent on a project to prevent toxic substances from landfill seeping into the ground.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has allocated the funds to rehabilitate a landfill site serving Umm Al Quwain.
During the first phase, which will be completed by December 2017, the ministry will apply special treatments to various kinds of waste and install a new compressor.
The ministry will also replace the landfill’s lining, which prevents the leaking of toxic substances into the ground.
“The upgrade will enable us to vastly improve waste management capacity and efficiency, since our target is to treat up to 75 per cent of all waste collected in the emirate.” Yousef Al Rissi, director of waste management at the ministry.
In addition to the enhanced landfill site, there will also be a new sewage treatment plant to serve the emirate.
“With a steadily increasing population and industrial activity, our landfills are under immense pressure to accommodate growing amounts of waste that comes in on a daily basis. The challenge is compounded when we receive a large amount of waste,” said Al Rissi said.
The new municipal solid waste treatment plant and the construction waste treatment plant are expected to be finished by 2017.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
