Dubai awards $680m stormwater drainage contracts

Dubai has awarded contracts for five new projects to expand and strengthen the emirate’s stormwater drainage network.

The contracts are cumulatively valued at AED2.5 billion ($680 million) and will serve 30 vital areas covering 430 million square metres, supporting an estimated population of 3 million by 2040, the Dubai Media Office reported, quoting a Dubai Municipality statement.

The contracts, part of a second phase, were awarded to Dubai-based DeTech Contracting and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, alongside specialised consultancy companies. 

The package includes three contracts for project execution and two for the study and design of drainage systems in selected areas across the emirate.

The announcement builds on the AED1.4 billion projects awarded in April 2025 under phase one of a AED30 billion stormwater drainage upgrade, aimed at enhancing readiness to tackle climate challenges and rapid urban expansion.

Adel Al Marzouqi, CEO of the waste and sewerage agency at Dubai Municipality, said the projects under phase two will elevate safety standards and life quality.

Hannover Re, the world’s third-largest reinsurer, booked losses of €138 million ($150 million) from Dubai’s record flooding in April 2024, AGBI reported last year.

The rare Gulf storm dumped more rain on Dubai in a single day than the city typically receives in a year. Neighbouring Oman was also affected.

In May 2025, Abu Dhabi invited companies to bid for stormwater drainage and flood mitigation projects, which included stormwater outfall diversions, the design and construction of a stormwater-discharge network and groundwater table reduction to curb surface-level flooding.

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