NEWS | Wednesday, 06 February 2008

TECOM Investments completes first phase of water conservation programme in Dubai

TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, recently announced the completion of the first phase of a water conservation programme across the Dubai Internet City (DIC), Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV).
Water restrictors with stringent flow rates, between 60-80 per cent lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, have been installed in over 1,000 wash basins within the DIC, DMC and DKV zones.
Abdullatif AlMulla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TECOM Investments, said: “The Water Conservation Programme has been prioritized keeping in mind the tremendous strain that Dubai’s water infrastructure is currently facing.
“This is not only related to fresh water supplies, but to equally critical sewerage services. TECOM Investments aims to reduce this burden on Dubai’s water infrastructure.”
At current estimates, the initiative is expected to reduce potable water consumption by approximately 21 million imperial gallons annually, which can support approximately 875 apartments every year.
The reduction will free up additional supply for new developments and will also reduce the burden on the sewerage network and sewage treatment plants.
As fringe benefits, and since sewage tankers are used for certain areas at TECOM site, the reduction of waste water would also mean reduced tanker trips which will directly reduce vehicular pollution and reduce traffic on Dubai’s roads. Ali bin Towaih, Director of Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED), said: “As part of the Sustainable Development Policy, SEED launched a comprehensive energy conservation programme in April 2007 by optimizing the operations of electro-mechanical equipment at facilities owned by TECOM. The initiative resulted in reducing CO2 emissions by more than 3,600 tonnes over a period of seven months from April to October 2007.
“With the aim of reducing water consumption by 50 per cent, we have completed the first phase of our water conservation programme across DIC, DMC and DKV. The Water Restrictors is the first step of more water conservation projects to come in 2008.”
TECOM Investments is governed by its Sustainable Development Policy, launched in August 2006, which requires all existing buildings owned by TECOM Investments to be LEED certified. As part of this certification, the flow rates of wash basins must not only conform to the minimum US EPA standards, but also exceed the criteria to earn more credits.
According to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), 64,926 million gallons of water was consumed in Dubai in 2006. Latest statistics also indicate per capita water consumption ranks the UAE the world’s third-largest after the US and Canada.
A recent report revealed that consumption of drinking water in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states rose from 1.9 billion cubic metres in 1958 to 3.9 billion cubic metres in 1999. The study also forecasted the volume of potable water consumption would total 8.8 billion cubic metres by 2010.