Artificial lagoons and waterways create wildlife habitat in Qatar | All & About

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced the completion of reclamation and rehabilitation project in Al Karaana Lagoon today.

The project aimed at removing pollutants and minimising health risks to the environment surrounding Al Karaana lagoons, which had been used for more than ten years in dumping industrial effluents.

Source: Peninsula Qatar

The project also aims to protect and enhance the Qatari environment by rehabilitating the area and transforming it from an unfavourable habitat into a wildlife habitat with diverse species of birds and fish. It also provides a green rest stop with clean water for migratory birds flocking over the country.

The project re-established the area by draining the old lagoons and treating the contaminated soil at their bottom, using international expertise to assess the levels of pollution and treatment of all contaminated sediments directly at the site, in order to re-establish the natural area and ensure the protection of the environment.

One of the most important components of the project is the three artificial lagoons which were designed to store about 2.4 million cubic metres of treated sewage effluent coming from Al Karaana treatment plant.

Source: Peninsula Qatar

The three lagoons are connected to each other through waterways. The lagoons are designed in such a way that water flows from the top lagoon to the second and then to the third. The flowing water and greenery provide a pleasant sight in what was an arid area before.

With clean water and green areas around them, the artificial lagoons form a new healthy habitat for wildlife, and they now include various types of birds, swans, fish, frogs and others.

The project also included the construction of two temporary evaporation ponds for industrial effluent, with a storage capacity of 1.2 million cubic metres of liquid waste. The ponds are protected with a strong insulating layer that prevents leakage of contaminated water into the groundwater, with oil separation units.

The evaporation ponds are operational for one year and will remain in use until the completion of the new industrial wastewater treatment station. It is worth mentioning that the evaporation process is a completely natural process that depends on sunlight and heat.

The project also used a Mobile Thermal Drying Unit which imported from the Netherlands especially to treat highly contaminated soil by heating the soil up to 400 C. About 40,000 tons of sludge was treated and then moved to a landfill designed and built to the highest international standards.

On this occasion, President of Ashghal Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, said: “Al Karaana Lagoon area has been transformed from a harmful environment into a healthy natural environment and home to wildlife. We are proud of this important achievement being a new evidence of the continuous efforts made by the various entities in the country, chiefly the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, to provide sustainable solutions to protect the environment and reduce the causes of pollution.”

Frank Gillet, French Ambassador to Qatar, was also part of the field trip along with many officials from various ministries.

Source: Peninsula Qatar

For his part, Assistant Undersecretary for Environmental Affairs in the Ministry of Municipality and Environment Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Sada stated that the rehabilitation project of Al Karaana Lagooon is an important step in the efforts of all concerned entities to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 in the field of environmental sustainability, as well as protecting Qatar’s environmental heritage and contributing to its prosperity. The project also contributes to increasing green spaces in the country, besides reducing environmental and health risks of industrial waste and pollutants.

In line with the continuous efforts to achievement Qatar National Vision 2030 in the field of environmental sustainability and preserving Qatar’s natural environment, and as part of the ongoing campaign “Qatar Beautification and Our Kids Planting Trees” launched by the Supervisory Committee for Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar to “Plant Million Trees” in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Ashghal organised a tree planting activity during the site tour in Al Karaana Lagoon project.

A group of students from Al Karaana Primary, Preparatory, Secondary Independent School for Boys participated in planting trees at the project site, after learning about the importance of the project in protecting the environment and contributing to its prosperity.