Something is Rotten in Dubai

Recent news item. Since when is untreated sewage not a health hazard? Would you want to pay a couple of million dollars and have the 'hood smell like a cess pit? Dubai may be building fast, but its infrastructure is being stretched to its limits. Electricity, sewage, water and transportation cannot handle the demands being placed on them.

Stink caused by poor water quality, not toxic waste
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Published: December 19, 2007, 23:54

(Dubai) Residents of some of Dubai's most luxurious housing estates may be complaining of a foul stench around their homes, but it's not because of industrial waste, says the head of the environmental protection and safety department at Dubai Municipality. Redha Salman said that toxic waste is delivered by special companies in tankers to the Jebel Ali hazardous waste site and chances of any toxic material entering the sewage treatment network are slim.
He was commenting on complaints by residents of Arabian Ranches, the Meadows and the Greens of a foul stench coming sprinklers. The irrigation and drainage department attributed the source of the odour to toxic materials that may have entered the water treatment plant.
Salman disagrees, however, saying that as the sewage treatment plant is currently treating a quantity of sewage four times above its capacity, the issue is a temporary problem.
"With four times the load of sewerage than the plant is designed to treat, there is a problem with the odour. The retention time is shortened and the sewerage is being processed faster," he said. "The water is not reaching the quality it should to reduce the odour."
He added that residents should not fear the irrigation water is a health hazard, as it is being checked. "The odour is a nuisance but it is not a chemical problem. If not in contact with the public, it should be ok. The irrigation water is used for landscaping along the city's roads mainly. It is up to developers if they use the water for residential areas," said Salman.
Disinfectant is being used to neutralise the odours and the smell should subside in the coming days, according to the irrigation department.
The water is not reaching the quality it should to reduce the odour."