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29 March 2024

Why JVT residents 'smell' something funny

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Some residents of Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT) are complaining of a pervasive ill odour in parts of the areas.
 
“Big orange honey wagons”, are the description trucks entering from several directions every 10 minutes, affected residents offer to the suggestion waste is being at some specific location, that leaves the odour in the area.

Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT) residents point to the area bordering Orchid Street. Heading towards Al Khail Road, there is a patch of wasteland where this road turns right. More than 40 trucks are queued up every day to dump waste, claims Rob Keddie, a resident in JVT.

“Last week the trucks were dumping at an additional location so the truck load is split between two areas,” Sara (name changed), a JVT resident, adds.

According to Aziz, a resident in JLT, the dumping occurs at a lake situated in the wasteland between Jumeirah Park and Jumeriah Lakes Towers.

Sharon Lagan, a JVT resident said: “I live in District 9A which is far enough away from where they dump the stuff, but the smell is getting worse.”

Sara describes more side effects of the sewage dumping practice.

“We endure constant noise of the rumbling trucks going past our home, so loud that I cannot even hear my TV.
 
“These tankers also break the law by driving on the wrong side of the road in order to access the area where they supposedly have permission to go.

According to the residents, when contacting the authorities on several occasions throughout 2014, they were informed that the issue would be resolved in August.

“In January, we were explained that the sewerage deliveries may have to continue for a further six months minimum whilst Jumeirah Park is under development,” said Sara.

When Emirates 24|7 contacted Dubai Municipality to inquire about the connection of Jumeirah Park to the sewage network, this assumption was neither confirmed, nor denied.

After several complaints of the resident in surrounding areas, the community management of one of the developers was quoted by resident Sara as saying: “The community manager has agreed to make all efforts to decrease the number of tankers to the agreed 40 per day, ensure that they only pass through JVT between 5pm and 9pm, and to instruct security to prevent them from using our roads incorrectly,” said Sara.

The rules

Emirates 24|7 has contacted master developers Nakheel, Emaar, DMCC, in addition to community manager Trakhees.

However, no response had been received at this point.

“Dumping sewage in any location other than the dedicated sewage stations is illegal and in violation with Local Order No 11, 2003,” explained Hisham at the Environmental Control Section, Dubai Municipality.

According to him there are two sewage stations in Dubai – one in Jebel Ali and another one in Warsan, Al Aweer. Sewage trucks of any kind are expected to dump their sewage at these two stations, and nowhere else, he confirmed.

Asked about the dumping of sewage in the area described, he said not to be aware of any complaints. Last year however, a pipe burst which led to a foul smell.

“The master developer responsible was fined, and the pipe was repaired.

“If there are any issues to be raised, the public should take pictures of the practice and send in a complaint to Dubai Municipality.

“In response, we will visit the area and fine the violator. We do carry out regular inspections in all areas of Dubai, but it is always helpful to be notified of any suspicion of illegal activity,” he said, adding that Dh100,000 is the fine for illegal sewage disposal.

“I have been told that the sewage issues are temporary. Hopefully it will be fixed soon,” commented Amitha Jalagam, a JVT resident.

“Some areas are not yet connected to a pumping station. The honey wagons suck it up from the tanks in those areas, transport to JVT and use the pumping station to empty out,” said Mike Watt, another JVT resident.

“It is impossible to enjoy our seasonal weather and leave the windows open as the smell floods into our home,” says Sara.