Reuse of water and spreading greenery - key to developing a sustainable city

He made these remarks while delivering a speech at the plenary session of the 5th International Conference of Aquapolises 2008, held recently in the South Korean city of Busan under the banner "For a Sustainable Aquapolis" with senior officials from more than 50 cities around the world attending.

A delegation from Dubai Municipality, headed by Mr. Lootah and consisting of Talib Julfar, Director of the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Ismail Al Banna, Assistant Director of the Public Parks and Horticulture Department and Yousuf Murad Salmin, Head of Public Relations Section, represented Dubai at the conference.

Lootah noted that the economic boom and population growth in Dubai have both vastly increased the consumption of water.

"Our production of wastewater and pollution has put increased stress on our delicate natural habitat and existing infrastructure," he said.

He added that the exponential growth of water consumption has directly reflected on the sewage production.

Dubai Municipality's Sewage Treatment Plant's capacity to handle over 500,000 cubic meters of sewage daily has been a great challenge which it has been coping with.

The conversion of the treated water into irrigation water, water injection into the salty ground water table and fertilizer has offered Dubai the means to sustain its rapid development, he noted.

"Greenery of our environment, which has very limited natural water resources, has been achieved with the treated sewage water. This greenery has given a harmonious existence to our rapidly growing population," Lootah said.

Maintaining the potable water quality from the desalination process has been and is a priority. This desalinated water is complemented with around five per cent of natural potable water. Other measures have been taken to maintain the balance such as the construction of numerous public parks in and around the residential communities giving the residents an opportunity to enjoy the greenery and cultivated open spaces. Residents, companies and corporations are also encouraged to participate in water conservation measures spearheaded by Dubai Municipality, he said.

"Our sewage reduction programme is backed by a powerful drive to contribute to the environmental protection of the country. Our efforts are geared towards spreading awareness on the need to reduce water consumption, which in turn also reduces the impact on the negative impact on the environment," said Lootah.

The conference sessions were held under such titles as: development of a city through the use of water and greenery, water transportation & urban development, eco-friendly environment in and around urban streams, and weather disaster & water resource management.

On the sidelines of the conference, the municipal delegation has met with the Mayor of Busan, Mr. Hur Nam-sik, and discussed with him the ways of boosting cooperation between the two cities in dealing with issues related to sewage treatment and waste management.

The delegation also paid visits to some of the sewage treatment plants and waste recycling centres in Busan that has turned some of its landfill areas into vast green pastures.