Dubai has given the green light to a monumental $21.8 billion sewerage system plan that will serve the city for the next century and further positioning it as one of the world’s most modern and sustainable cities.

The ambitious project, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, will be a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector.

With a focus on forward planning and preparation, Sheikh Hamdan underscored the importance of sustainable development strategies adopted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

This approach has propelled Dubai’s rise as a global leader and enabled the city to set new benchmarks in future readiness and integrated infrastructure.

The centennial sewerage system, a flagship municipal project, has been designed to align with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

With an investment of AED 80 billion ($21.8 billion), it aims to reduce carbon emissions in the sector by 25%, promote circular economy principles, and enhance the city’s global development and competitiveness indicators related to quality of life.

To bring this vision to life, the private sector will collaborate closely with the government, reflecting their vital role in the development of Dubai’s advanced and integrated infrastructure.

Private sector investment in projects aligned with the Economic Agenda D33 is projected to exceed AED 1 trillion ($272 billion) by 2033.

The approved sewerage system will not only contribute to achieving the Clean Energy Strategy 2050 but also extend the system’s lifespan from 25 to 100 years, improving operational efficiencies.

Strategic tunnel projects will be implemented in Jebel Ali and Warsan stations, while the number of main wastewater treatment plants in urban areas will be reduced from 20 to two.

Similarly, main pumping stations will be reduced from 13 to two, and sub-pumping stations from 110 to less than 20 in urban areas.

The project also includes the transformation of treatment plants into clean facilities and maximizing the use of recycled water.