Drainage networks completed in Madinat Khalifa, Al Messila and Al Huwar Lagoon

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has completed the main works for the construction of rainwater and groundwater drainage networks within the areas of Madinat Khalifa North, Madinat Khalifa South, Al Messila and Al Huwar Lagoon in the Al Luqta area. This is part of the World Cup Readiness Project for Rainwater and Groundwater Drainage Networks - Package 6, Ashghal has said in a statement.Khalid Saif al-Khayareen, manager of the Drainage Networks Projects Department at Ashghal, said the project will serve many localities through the new 60km rainwater and groundwater drainage networks. “These networks will accommodate the flows from the mentioned areas and gradually convey them to the main drainage network, serving more than 100 streets,” he said.Khalid Maher al-Qatami, assistant of the Drainage Networks Projects department manager, said the main project works that have been completed include the development of Al Huwar Lagoon, located in the Al Luqta area, to collect rainwater. The lagoon’s area was increased from 44,000sqm to 64,000sqm, equivalent to nine football fields. The lake's storage capacity has also been increased from 165,000 cubic metre to about 350,000 cubic metre, which is equivalent to 17,500 dewatering tankers. The lagoon has been linked to the existing network to serve as a temporary collection tank during the rainy season, which will mitigate the effects of rainwater accumulation in the future in the project areas, thanks to raising the capacity and storage of the network and reducing flows to the main drainage network. "The works will also contribute to reducing the water level in Al Shaqab Micro-Tunnel and raising the efficiency of existing and future networks,” he said.Hassan Mohamed Mohsen, head of the Drainage Networks Projects Section, said the works were carried out by using the micro-tunneling technique to mitigate the inconvenience caused by excavation and construction works, as most of the works were carried out within residential neighbourhoods and vital streets in the area. The network also includes 27km of perforated pipes that will work as networks for lowering the level of groundwater and stormwater drainage, in addition to 20km of rigid pipes. More than 1,050 manholes and 4,000 gullies have been implemented.The remaining works in the project include reinstatement works on some streets and pedestrian paths to their original condition, in addition to finishing works and inspection of the built assets in preparation for the final handover.