DUBAI // Construction has been completed on two huge reservoirs in Ras Al Khaimah that will provide an emergency source of drinking water should the emirate faces shortages again.
The reservoirs, which were developed by the Federal Water and Electricity Authority (Fewa), will each store five million gallons of water.
The cost of the development is Dh21million.
Should there be more shortages, the reservoirs will serve the water requirements for every household in the emirate for two days, said Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, the director general of Fewa, in comments to Wam, the state news agency.
Last month, residents complained over water shortages following a technical glitch at a desalination plant in the Al Nakheel area of the emirate. The problem has since been repaired, but Fewa is taking no chances.
Two larger reservoirs, with a capacity of 10 million gallons each, are also being built. In addition, a second desalination plant will be ready by 2013.
Residents have welcomed the developments.
"This is a great move and one that will surely be welcomed because it will prove to have a number of benefits," said Ali Mohamed Al Mansoori, the general manager of the RAK Agricultural Cooperation.
"One of the benefits of having the reserves as back up is in case a situation beyond anyone's control happens," he said. "It will also mean that work will not be affected in fields such as construction, so efforts in the development of the community can continue."
melshoush@thenational.ae
