Dubai Municipality is planning to develop the AED12.5bn ($3.4bn) Dubai deep sewer tunnels project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to sources close to the scheme, the Netherlands’ KPMG has been appointed to advise the client and assist with preparation for developing the project under a PPP model. The project had originally been planned to be developed through conventional EPC packages.

The Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels project will contain two main tunnels with a total length of 75km. The Bur Dubai deep tunnel will have a total length of 50km and the Deira tunnel with have a total length of 25km. The tunnels will be supported by about 140km of link sewers and two major pump stations. The tunnels will reach depths of up to 90m below ground level.

The deep tunnel sewerage network and 2 major pump station will replace 11 major pump stations and more than 100 other pump stations that currently serve Dubai’s wastewater network.

Construction of the deep tunnel project will take five years to complete, municipality represenatives have previously told MEED.

In May 2016, the municipality awarded US-based Parsons a consultancy contract for the tunnels project, which will have a total length of 75km. The firm was awarded the contract to provide a number of consultancy services for the duration of the project, including feasibility studies, preliminary design, tender preparation and support. The consultant was also due to provide programme management of the detailed design and construction phases and supervision of the construction of the primary tunnels.