Ajman residents breathe easy as sewage works is closed

Residents of Al Jurf, a mainly Emirati community, last March voiced concerns that the smell could put their health at risk but now they say they can open windows of their home to enjoy the cool winter breeze without fear.

AJMAN // The closure of a sewage works is proving a breath of fresh air for Al Jurf residents.

Last March, residents of the mainly Emirati community voiced their concerns to Ajman Municipality that the foul smell coming from the facility could put their health at risk. Now, with the closure, they can open the windows of their homes to enjoy the winter breeze without fear.

“Beside the industrial area there is sandy land where I go with my friends during winter and sit there. Last year, there was a bad odour so we couldn’t sit there for more than an hour,” said resident S A.

“I asked my friend what the smell was and he told me that he always has this odour at his house. But about a month ago we went to the same place and there was no more bad smell.”

Ministry of Health employee Abu Ali said the smell was at its worst in summer.

“There were chemical smells, gas and sewage odour,” said the 44-year-old. “But since about two months ago there was no foul odour and everything is now good.”

Ajman Municipality and Planning Department said it closed the site to protect the environment and groundwater, and to reduce pollution.

Sewage discharge has also been stopped and the landfill has been dried under the direction of municipality chairman Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.

Ibrahim Ahmed, the municipality’s general director, said: “The public health and environment department compelled the producers of liquid industrial waste to install pre-treatment units in factories to reduce contamination of the fluids that can be received in the sewage treatment plant.”

He said the department had transferred sewage tankers bound for the Al Jurf site to Ajman sewage plant instead.

Ajman plans to develop the area in a way that will benefit residents.

“The closure of the sewage landfill, which extended for one kilometre in length and a width of 500 metres, will offer healthy and environmental benefits for the region,” Mr Ahmed said.

Controls have also been tightened on tankers carrying waste to Ajman sewage plant or to landfill sites.