The Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (SEWA) has successfully replaced 25 kilometres of outdated asbestos water pipes with modern Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) material pipes. This ambitious project, completed in 2024, cost an estimated 22 million dirhams and forms part of SEWA’s ongoing efforts to improve water transmission networks in the emirate.
Focus on Water Network Development
Engineer Faisal Al Sarkal, Director of the Water Department at SEWA, highlighted the authority’s dedication to upgrading and expanding its water systems to accommodate Sharjah’s rapid urban growth. “We are focused on the continuous development of our water transmission and distribution networks to increase water flow capacity,” Al Sarkal explained. The replacement of old pipes is a crucial part of SEWA’s strategy to address the increasing demand for water across the emirate.
Strategic Water Sustainability and Expansion
SEWA’s broader strategy aligns with Sharjah’s comprehensive development journey under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The plan emphasizes water sustainability and network expansion as key components of the emirate’s ongoing infrastructure and urbanization projects.
Al Sarkal further emphasized that replacing old asbestos pipes with advanced, durable materials such as GRE pipes not only improves the system’s efficiency but also significantly enhances long-term reliability and ensures public health and safety.
Looking Ahead: 2025 Plans and Expansion
The authority’s commitment to maintaining and expanding Sharjah’s water infrastructure is set to continue in 2025. SEWA plans to replace 40 kilometres of additional old asbestos pipes with GRE pipes, focusing on areas such as Al Hazannah, Al Jazat, and Industrial Area 13. This project is expected to cost more than 40 million dirhams and will also include the expansion of the water network by 60 kilometres to meet the needs of Sharjah’s growing population. The authority is also working to complete the water network in several newly developed areas to ensure access to clean, reliable water for all residents.
These improvements are part of SEWA’s larger vision to support Sharjah’s development while ensuring that the water infrastructure is both sustainable and efficient in the face of future demand.
