Municipalities discuss investment in storm water basins and marsh land

ABU DHABI // The need for more investment to manage stormwater basins and improve infrastructure to transform marsh land into lakes was highlighted at a meeting between the municipalities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Engineers and officials from Dubai reviewed the effectiveness of 14 catch basins that are used to store rainwater. Officials outlined plans for the number of rainwater catch basins to increase over the next few years.

The design of the basins can sustain heavy thunderstorms by using quick drainage outlets.

Abu Dhabi officials were keen on forging links with the Dubai authorities to know how catch basins treated rain and groundwater using filtering units, and the introduction of certain species of fish that fed on mosquito eggs to eliminate the pests.

Officials said this helped maintain water quality in the basin and that samples were regularly drawn to verify the quality. The basins could also be used to attract tourism and investment.

The municipalities discussed plans to improve cooperation and exchange expertise by reviewing successful projects in Dubai and replicating similar plans in the capital.

Abu Dhabi Municipality was keen to provide resources to build stormwater catch basins and introduce cost-effective pilot projects to treat waste water.

The need to boost ties between municipalities and to support sustainable development was also discussed.