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Emergency water storage project begins in Liwa

ABU DHABI — The construction of the proposed Dh 1.6 million Strategic Water Storage and Recovery System (SWS&RS) will begin in a month’s time, officials announced.

The project by Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) in conjunction with the Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi, is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The contractors for the project — Arabian Construction Co (ACC) and POSCO Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd — will put up the station which will be able to provide Abu Dhabi with 40 million imperial gallons of water per day (MIGD). The construction will go on for an estimated 30 months.

An underground aquifer storage facility is being built 85 metres in the Liwa desert some 250km from Abu Dhabi city for use “in the event of a water emergency,” according to an official.

In the event of a water emergency, all water stored at the facility can be made available for pumping to Abu Dhabi City through a system of pumping stations and 161 kilometres of new pipeline that will be connected to an existing line on the E11 Highway.

ACC’s Director, Wassim Merhebi termed the project as ‘highly innovative’ and a first of its kind in the region.

SK Park, General Manager, POSCO Engineering & Construction, termed the project as “an innovative and strategic initiative”.

haseeb@khaleejtimes.com