The Canal stretches from the Business Bay district and crosses the Sheikh Zayed Road (between Safa and 1st Interchanges) and passes across the Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, and Jumeirah Road to terminate at the Arabian Gulf. The construction of the infrastructure (construction of bridges and drilling of the canal course) amounts to about two billion dirham, and all construction works are set to be completed by 2017.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed on the details of this unique urban tourist-cum- commercial project; which offers a new lifestyle in the heart of Dubai city. The ¨Dubai Water Canal¨ will add about six kilometres to the Dubai water front and the project provides an area spanning more than 80 thousand square meters designated as public realms containing vital facilities as well as convenient and excellent means to meet the needs of all community segments.

The Project encompasses new shopping and entertainment centres linked through a uniquely designed bridge and the project will add more than 450 new restaurants along with a wide array of luxurious marinas for yachts, and 4 world-class hotels. At the entrance of the Project from Sheikh Zayed Road, an iconic Trade Centre will be constructed comprising 4 levels, including one underground level and three elevated levels linking the Business Bay with the project zone in a total area of more than 50 thousand square metres.

The development of the waterfront will allow for the construction of deluxe residences and private marinas for boats along with pedestrian pathways, cycling tracks, together with fine business outlets, hotels and deluxe restaurants. The project will boost the position of the Jumeirah area as a premier and distinctive destination in Dubai. The project is expected to attract 20 to 22 million visitors per annum.

The ¨Dubai Water Canal¨ will have a depth of six meters and bridges above it will rise more than eight meters, offering free navigation for deluxe yachts extending up to 200 feet. The canal will contribute to renewing the water of the entire Business Bay Canal automatically without any need for hydraulic pumps. An extra flushing capacity will be added to the Dubai Creek when the Canal is connected to Business Bay, by approximately 250 million cubic meter per year.

The total tidal water exchange through the Canal is estimated to be around 800 million Cubic metre per year, and the Canal is anticipated to have a cooling effect, benchmarking to a similar Project “Cheong Gye Cheon” manmade canal in Seoul, where the recorded thermal reduction reached -3.6 C.

Explaining the project features, Al Tayer said: “Works in the project have been split into three contracts; the first and second relate to the construction of crossings over the Canal linking with the key roads intercepting the Canal course; which are Sheikh Zayed Road spanning eight lanes in each direction, and three lanes on each side of Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road. These crossings are constructed 8.5 meters above the water level, thus allowing for a free navigation in the canal 24 hours a day. The third contract encompasses the drilling and landscaping works as well as the construction of four pedestrian crossings. Four marine stations will be constructed to ease the mobility of the public and promote the public and tourist transport. The marine transit modes are expected to ferry more than six million passengers per annum, according to the marine transport plan in Dubai.

“The RTA will carry out a number of improvements in main roads network intercepting the course of the Canal, besides making some improvements at the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Safa; including the construction of service roads at the two banks of the Canal in the surrounding areas such as Jumeirah and Safa to ease the transiting between these areas. As for pedestrians, a free and safe navigation will be provided through the construction of four pedestrian crossings above the Canal including one bridge that contains convenient stores in addition to other tracks designated for practicing light sports such jogging and cycling across the two banks of the Canal. It also covers landscaping works on both sides of the Canal such as greens, benches, relaxation areas and a host of diverse tourist projects and facilities,” added Al Tayer.

Highlighting the demand, supply and investment trends in the sector, the report noted that water treatment plants saw highest investment at $3.4 billion. In 2010 many projects were undertaken and finished. The construction of Sabiya distillation plants projects Stage I & Stage II, Shuaiba north distillation plants and Shuwaikh Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant took place.

The construction of Az-Zour North Distillation Plant Project is a huge and much awaited one in Kuwait. It aimed to supply and erect 15 multi stages flash distillation units each of 17 MIGPD capacity with a recarbonation plant, in addition to one Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant having 25 MIGPD capacity, that is having total capacity of 280 MIGPD for the plant.
Kuwait recorded the highest water consumption per capita per day with the value of 500 liters. In terms of its water withdrawal, Kuwait seems to be low at 374 m3 per year per capita, but the availability of renewable water resources stands at 7 m3 per year per capita, which is also very low compared to its GCC peers.

Potable water is mainly consumed by municipalities as potable water finds its use among residential places. Potable water consumption in 2011 stood at 128,236 MIG (million imperial gallons). Municipalities are mainly urban cities and the urban population in Kuwait is increasing rapidly. With increasing population and changing usage trends, the consumption of potable water is estimated to be 142,230 MIG in 2015. This value highlights the heat of demand for fresh water in near future.

Agriculture is also a major sector that withdraws substantial amount of water. Sulaibha farms are government owned farms, which are supplied with brackish water. Brackish water is highly saline, which is not suitable for municipal consumption. Brackish water consumed in 2011 stands at 19,265 MIG. Though the arable land in hectares has decreased from 12 to 11 from 2002 to 2008, the crop produce has been exhibiting increasing trend. The crop production index, which is produced by keeping cultivated land area constant, has shown an increasing trend between 2008 and 2011. These all indicate the possibilities for an increase in withdrawal of water by agriculture sector.

On supply side, there are very little internal renewable water resources.

The annual precipitation is very meager when compared to the prevailing demand. Desalination and sewage treatment plants are the alternative sources of water. Total desalination capacity as of 2010 is around 423.1 MIGD (million imperial gallons per day). Sewage treatment plants are taken care by Ministry of Public Works. Sulaibha facility is the only plant producing RO treated wastewater as of 2011.

The Ministry of Electricity & Water owns and operates all existing power and water production facilities, transmission networks and distribution systems in Kuwait and sells electricity and water. Water tariffs are categorized based on type of consumer. It is just 0.02 Kuwait dinar (KD) per 1,000 gallons for Sulaibha farms and it is 0.85 KD for state facilities and companies.