“We have real problems in terms of capacity in both Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain,” Thomson told MEED’s Wastewater Treatment & Reuse 2007 conference.
The main Mafraq plant is dealing with 420,000 cubic metres a day compared with its capacity of 340,000 cubic metres a day.
The Zakher plant in Al-Ain is processing 120,000 cubic metres a day, more than 100 per cent above its original design capacity.
The Abu Dhabi sewerage network includes 26 sewage treatment plants, Thomson said.
The emirate’s sewerage system has handed over to the ADSSC in 2005 as part of a plan to introduce private capital.