A new initiative designed to turn Muharraq island into an oasis of green by using recycled wastewater will soon get underway, according to a top official.

 

Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi told the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication, that the newly-inaugurated multimillion dinar sewage treatment plant (STP) in Hidd, opened by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa recently, can now be used to support the whole island's irrigation system.

 

Of the estimated 100 million litres of sewage treated by the plant everyday, around 80 million litres is expected to be used to keep Muharraq green, the minister said.

 

"This is a major project for the nation's sanitary engineering sector," said Dr Al Ka'abi.

 

"It will ease the pressure on Tubli STP - and at the same time, the plant will also be a major support to the island of Muharraq and its farming and green initiatives.

 

"As of now the islanders depend on well-water for their irrigation purposes - to sustain greenery such as palm trees and lawns.

 

"This project will help their irrigation requirements, as we will be connecting the island's irrigation system to the STP system and the treated water could be used for this."

 

The initiative - in partnership with the Works Ministry - will "definitely make Muharraq greener", Dr Al Ka'abi said, adding that similar projects were proposed for both the Southern and Northern Governorates to ease drainage problems and keep the country green.

 

Supreme Council for the Environment chief executive Dr Mohammed Mubarak bin Daina told the GDN that the modern method of treating sewage water used at the new plant will mean it emits less odour and does not leave any sticky residue or liquid behind.

 

"The treated water is safe to use for irrigation and discharge into the sea," he said.

 

"Everybody is anticipating the completion of the irrigation network for the benefit of the agricultural sector based on the highest standards.

 

"This is due to the fact that the plant provides both the housing and commercial sectors of Muharraq complete independence for the treatment of sewage water.

 

"As for the hydrogen sulphide (sewer gas) treatment unit attached to the plant - the study that was prepared to measure the environmental impact of the project revealed that ventilation at the plant was sufficient, especially given the fact that the gas treatment unit at the plant adopts the chemical wash method to refine the treatment process and dispense of pungent odours." - TradeArabia News Service