Dubai Municipality is planning to build a 75 km deep-sewer tunnel and network in the Deira and Bur Dubai area of the emirate. It will be similar to the Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme (STEP) currently under way in Abu Dhabi. The costs of the project are around EUR3.01 billion (AED 12.5 billion). It includes the 25 km Deira tunnel from Palm Deira to the Al Warsan sewage treatment plant (STP), the 50 km Bur Dubai tunnel from the Creek (on Bur Dubai) to the Jebel Ali STP, and 2 pumping stations at Jebel Ali (90m deep) and Al Warsan (35m deep). The 2 tunnels diameter start at about 3.5 m and end at about 5 to 6 m. They will be using micro tunnel technology involving the construction of shafts where a TBM will be inserted for the digging ofthe tunnels.

The new deep tunnel system will make use of gravity for the collection of sewage. It will significantly reduce the running-cost of the sewage system, as it will replace the pumping stations that have required electricity to run and periodic maintenance.

When completed in five years' time, the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Project, covering the entire emirate will replace more than 121 sewage pumping stations with deep tunnels that will range between 25 and 90 metres below the earth’s surface. The tunnels are expected to last for up to 100 years and cut carbon emissions by 30 per cent. The project is planned to cover the emirate's expansion over the next 50 years.

The Dubai Municipality awarded the consultancy contract for the tunnel project to Parsons Overseas Ltd (USA). It also includes additional studies including a storm water relief management study, a sewerage system policy, a financial model system, a resilience study and a project management information system. Click ae/18 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://www.dm.gov.ae/wps/portal/home. 20/16.