Dubai Municipality's Drainage Network Department is taking extra measures to stop illegal dumping of sewage water by some of the tanker drivers in open areas or in the storm water network of the city.

Abdul Majeed Sifaee, director of the department, said the department has so far this month detected some 27 tankers involved in this illegal activity and fined each of them at least Dh50,000 which included a fine and the cost of cleaning and flushing out the storm water lines.

He noted that instead of waiting for their turn at Al Awir Sewage Treatment Plant, some of the tanker drivers prefer to empty their tankers in open areas or through the storm water networks that are designed to carry pure rain water to the sea.

'This has resulted in polluting part of the emirate's coast line. Our staff are now keeping a close watch on those law-breakers who mainly empty the tankers between 12 and 5 am daily so as to avoid detection. In the wake of the increased activity recently, we have requested the help of Dubai Police in putting an end to this phenomenon for once and all,' he said.-TradeArabia News Service