Dubai Investments Park (DIP), one of the largest integrated commercial, industrial and residential communities in the Middle East, has signed an agreement with MWH, now part of Canada-based engineering consultancy Stantec and a global leader in wet infrastructure, to design a new stormwater and groundwater drainage network within the development.

The scope of the agreement covers the design of the drainage network covering the 2,300-hectare Dubai Investments Park.

The project is part of DIP’s concerted efforts to keep upgrading its infrastructure in order to manage groundwater levels, prevent property inundation and mitigate flooding in the event of heavy rainfall, which has been an issue in low-lying areas within the development, said Omar Al Mesmar, its general manager after signing the deal with Wessam Daoud, the Middle East regional director at MWH.

According to him, the design project started in August and will be completed in four months.

The new facility will be connected to the main Dubai Municipality drainage network for Dubai South and adjacent communities, once that is completed. The stormwater network will involve 147 km of pipeline, nearly 2,000 manholes, five ponds and five lift stations.

"The agreement with MWH is aimed at implementing an efficient flood management plan with minimum public access interruption. The complex network of inlets and conduits requires extensive evaluation and DIP is working closely with MWH to design a balanced storm water management system on a priority basis," remarked Al Mesmar.

The Canadian company had developed the first-ever sewerage, stormwater and groundwater drainage and irrigation master plan for Dubai and has also been assigned by Dubai Municipality to undertake the engineering design for the drainage systems for the Dubai South area covering a total area of over 420 sq km.

On the contract win, Daoud said: "MWH is pleased to be a partner in this strategic project to plan the wet infrastructure within DIP Park."

"The company’s expertise in this domain is unparalleled and we are bringing together a team of international experts to plan innovative solutions to design the drainage network and ensure that the drainage needs of the DIP community are met in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner," he added.

Over the years, DIP has spent over Dh4 billion ($1.08 billion) in boosting the infrastructure to international standards, which includes 140 km of internal road network and well-integrated water and electricity systems, the best of hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, retail outlets, supermarkets and other day-to-day necessities and recreational options for its tenants.-TradeArabia News Service