Dubai awards contracts worth Dhs1.4bn for stormwater projects

Dubai Municipality has awarded contracts worth Dhs1.439bn for four major stormwater drainage projects under the ‘Tasreef’ programme.

The projects, commissioned to expand and rehabilitate Dubai’s stormwater network, will add over 36 kilometres of new drainage lines across several key areas including Nad Al Hamar, the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, Al Garhoud, Al Rashidiya, Al Quoz, Zabeel, Al Wasl, Jumeirah, and Al Badaa.

The works aim to mitigate flooding risks and improve network efficiency, as part of a broader effort to provide sustainable and future-ready infrastructure for the emirate.

The upgrades are aligned with Dubai’s ambition to position itself among the world’s most infrastructure-resilient cities.

Tasreef project is emirate’s largest stormwater collection initiative

The Tasreef project is Dubai’s largest unified stormwater collection system and is considered the most operationally efficient in the region.

The newly commissioned developments will connect to the main Tasreef tunnel, enhancing the overall drainage network and significantly increasing capacity in the target areas.

According to Dubai Municipality, the initiative is expected to lower operational and maintenance costs and improve service standards for residents and businesses.

Engineer Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, acting DG of Dubai Municipality, said the projects mark a key milestone in implementing Tasreef. The initiative aims to boost drainage discharge capacity by 700 per cent over the next 100 years.

“Tasreef is a pioneering, strategic, and transformative project… part of our strategic goals for integrated management of stormwater and surface water drainage,” bin Ghalita said.

With an estimated total cost of Dhs30bn, the Tasreef project is designed to be scalable over the next century.

It also targets a 20 per cent reduction in construction, operation, and maintenance costs for stormwater stations, while extending the lifespan of the infrastructure.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Nielsen, regional sales director for India, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa (IMEA) Region at Grundfos, said: “Dubai’s investment in a city-wide stormwater network reflects a growing recognition that water resilience is critical to future-proofing our cities. As we witness more frequent and intense weather events across the region, it’s no longer enough to rely on conventional infrastructure — urban water systems must be reimagined to adapt to a more unpredictable climate. This project is a strong example of forward-thinking public infrastructure that puts sustainability and resilience at the centre. The scale and ambition of the network underscore the importance of integrated water management solutions that can respond flexibly to both current needs and future challenges.

“At Grundfos, we see growing opportunities for public and private sector collaboration to accelerate the adoption of smarter water technologies — those that can optimise energy use, improve system efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. Long-term resilience demands this kind of partnership-driven, systems-level thinking.”

Adding to this, Naji Atallah, head of Construction and Manufacturing for EMEA Emerging at Autodesk, highlighted the growing role of technology in building climate-resilient cities. “As climate patterns shift and extreme rainfall becomes more frequent, cities in the Middle East and around the world are under increasing pressure to adapt fast. Infrastructure that was once designed for predictable weather events must now be built for uncertainty.

“Artificial intelligence is emerging as a critical enabler in this transformation. By embedding AI into the design and management of urban water systems, we gain the ability to simulate then accurately forecast flood events, test scenarios before they happen, and consequently build action plans. AI-powered technology is not just about designing better infrastructure — it is about enabling authorities and stakeholders with the right context that leads to better decision-making.

“The value of AI lies in its ability to process vast datasets quickly — from rainfall intensity to land use patterns — helping city planners and engineers develop solutions that are both resilient and resource-efficient. As this region continues to urbanise at pace, investing in such smarter infrastructure will be key to mitigating environmental risk while meeting future demand.

“Dubai’s initiative sets a valuable precedent, showing how cities can move from reactive to predictive water management to protect communities and secure long-term sustainability.”