Dubai Municipality has awarded AED 3 billion of contracts for four new stormwater drainage projects under Phase 3 of the Tasreef Programme. Together, the projects will build or extend about 100 kilometres of main drainage lines, with pipes up to 3 metres in diameter, across nearly 100 square kilometres of the city. The awards were announced on 25 October 2026.
The work covers some of Dubai's most established villa and mixed-use neighbourhoods: Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Al Wasl, Za'abeel, Al Bada'a, Al Satwa and Al Marmoom. If you own, rent or are buying in these areas, how well a community copes with heavy rain is now something to check alongside location and price.
Credit: WAM / Dubai Municipality
Tasreef Phase 3: Key Facts
| Announced | 25 October 2026 (Dubai Municipality, via WAM and the Dubai Government Media Office) |
|---|---|
| Value | AED 3 billion across four projects |
| Scope | About 100 km of main stormwater drainage lines, diameters up to 3 metres |
| Coverage | Nearly 100 sq km |
| Areas | Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Al Wasl, Za'abeel, Al Bada'a, Al Satwa and Al Marmoom |
| Contractors | ARIFCO Group, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East, DETech Contracting and Nael Construction and Contracting (which firm has which package was not disclosed) |
| Programme | Tasreef: AED 30 billion in total, raising Dubai's stormwater drainage capacity by 700% |
| Programme completion | 2033 (as reported by The National and Construction Business News) |
The Four Projects
Dubai Municipality set out the four packages as follows:
| Project | Main lines | Areas served |
|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim Stormwater Drainage Network Development | About 42 km | Umm Suqeim 1, 2 and 3, Umm Al Sheif, Jumeirah 3, Al Safa 1 and 2, and Al Manara along the Dubai Water Canal |
| Development of Main Stormwater Drainage Lines along Al Wasl Road | 21 km of main and secondary lines | East of the Dubai Water Canal: Za'abeel 2, Al Wasl, Jumeirah 1 and 2, Al Bada'a, Al Satwa, and Dubai World Trade Centre 1 and 2 (up to 25 sq km) |
| Network development and capacity enhancement between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road | 14 km | Al Quoz Industrial Areas 1, 3 and 4 and Al Barsha 1, including the Al Khail Road interchange towards Umm Suqeim, Umm Suqeim Road, Sheikh Zayed Road and nearby streets |
| Integrated stormwater drainage network in Al Marmoom | 23 km | Al Marmoom |
The Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim package is the largest of the four. Dubai Municipality has not published start dates or completion dates for the individual Phase 3 projects.
Why Dubai Is Investing in Drainage
Dubai launched the Tasreef Programme in 2024, after record rainfall in April that year flooded parts of the emirate. The AED 30 billion programme is designed to raise the city's stormwater drainage capacity by 700% and to cut the cost of building, running and maintaining pumping stations by 20%. The National and Construction Business News report that, once complete, the network will be able to handle more than 20 million cubic metres of water a day.
Phase 3 follows earlier rounds. Phase 1 contracts were awarded in April 2025. Phase 2, awarded on 26 February 2026, was a package of five projects worth AED 2.5 billion.
"The third phase of the Tasreef Programme's projects will serve areas that represent vital arteries across the emirate," said Eng. Adel Mohammed Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency at Dubai Municipality. He said the projects aim at "reducing water accumulation, protecting residents and assets, improving the quality of services, enhancing the city's readiness and traffic flow."
What It Means for Homeowners, Tenants and Buyers
Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Safa villa owners. These are some of Dubai's most sought-after villa areas, and they get the biggest share of Phase 3. Over time, better drainage should mean less standing water on roads and fewer access problems after storms. That supports how livable these areas are and how attractive they are to tenants.
Al Wasl, Za'abeel and Satwa. The Al Wasl Road package covers Al Wasl, Za'abeel 2, Jumeirah 1 and 2, Al Bada'a, Al Satwa and the Dubai World Trade Centre area. New projects in these neighbourhoods include Muraba Veil in Al Wasl and Elemental 78 in Jumeirah Garden City, in Al Satwa.
Al Barsha and Al Quoz. The Sheikh Zayed Road to Al Khail Road package covers Al Barsha 1 and Al Quoz's industrial areas. Al Barsha 1 is a busy residential area, and Al Quoz's industrial zones are full of warehouses, showrooms and creative spaces. Better drainage on these key routes matters for residents, businesses and commuters alike.
Due diligence still matters. These are contract awards, not finished works, and Dubai Municipality has not given a completion date for Phase 3. Before you buy, ask the seller or building manager how the property and its access roads coped in past heavy rain, check the drainage on the plot and in the basement, and review your home insurance cover for water damage.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Looking at villas in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim or Al Safa, or apartments around Al Wasl and Al Barsha? Luxwell Real Estate is a boutique luxury brokerage in Business Bay. We can shortlist ready and off-plan homes, share recent sales data and help you ask the right questions about each building.
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
- Website: www.luxwellrealestate.com
- Contact form: Contact Luxwell
Sources: Dubai Municipality announcement via WAM (25 October 2026); Gulf News, The National and Khaleej Times reports of 25 October 2026; Construction Business News Middle East (26 October 2026).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tasreef Programme?
- Tasreef is Dubai Municipality's AED 30 billion programme to expand the emirate's stormwater drainage network. It aims to raise drainage capacity by 700% and was launched in 2024 after the April 2024 floods.
What was announced in Tasreef Phase 3?
- On 25 October 2026, Dubai Municipality awarded AED 3 billion of contracts for four projects. Together they will build or extend about 100 km of main stormwater drainage lines, up to 3 metres in diameter, across nearly 100 sq km.
Which Dubai areas are covered by Tasreef Phase 3?
- Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Safa, Al Manara, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Al Wasl, Za'abeel, Al Bada'a, Al Satwa and Al Marmoom.
What is the largest Phase 3 project?
- The Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim Stormwater Drainage Network Development Project, with about 42 km of main lines. It serves Umm Suqeim 1 to 3, Umm Al Sheif, Jumeirah 3, Al Safa 1 and 2, and Al Manara along the Dubai Water Canal.
Who are the contractors?
- ARIFCO Group, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East, DETech Contracting and Nael Construction and Contracting. Dubai Municipality has not said which firm has which package.
When will the Tasreef Programme be finished?
- The National and Construction Business News report that the full programme is scheduled for completion in 2033. Dubai Municipality has not published completion dates for the individual Phase 3 projects.
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