DUBAI: Residents of International City are raising a stink over a foul smell in their community.
Many long-timers say the stench from the neighbouring Al Aweer Sewage Treatment Plant that had almost gone away has now made an awful return. “The obnoxious smell is back. It’s just like it was when I first moved in,” said Vincent who has been living in the China cluster since 2008.
The sewage treatment plant lies in the suburb of Al Warsan 2 that borders several clusters of the Nakheel-developed International City. Residents say they get the foul smell from the plant almost three to four times a week.
“We find difficult to breathe especially at night when the plant begins operations. The smell is so pungent that even if you shut your windows, you still get it in your room,” said Ivan Digber who lives in the Emirates Cluster.
Indian Sabeeth says he is so frustrated that he is now planning to move out. “Something needs to be done urgently as this can’t go on. Every night you feel you are inhaling toxic air,” said the man.
Another resident said sewage tankers have begun lining up again in huge numbers. “Sometimes the smell is there even in the mornings when I go to work,” said the man who recently even filmed the long queue of sewage tankers parked up on the side of a road leading to the treatment plant.
“We have raised residents’ concerns with the Dubai Municipality, and continue to liaise with the authority on behalf of those affected in order to get the situation rectified. We understand that DM is working to address the issue,” a Nakheel spokesperson told XPRESS. A comment from the Dubai Municipality was not immediately available.
