In Dubai, infrastructure projects are not just functional—they are built with grandeur and style. The Dubai Water Canal Extension is a testament to this ethos, standing as one of the UAE’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure developments in recent years. This project has transformed the cityscape, creating new opportunities for residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail developments along its scenic banks.
The 3 km-long canal extension, over 100m wide in many sections, seamlessly connects Dubai Creek at Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf. The route passes beneath a 16-lane bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, and Jumeirah Beach Road, enhancing connectivity and urban design.
WJ Groundwater was proud to be the sole dewatering contractor for the Dubai Water Canal Extension, selected by the main contractor, Besix, for our innovative and cost-effective solutions. Our approach not only offered the lowest commercial cost during the competitive tender but also ensured minimal disruption to excavation and construction activities.
Despite the canal’s width and challenging subsurface conditions, WJ successfully implemented an external deepwell system. While competitors suggested internal wells to achieve the necessary drawdown, our advanced computer modeling, pumping tests, and careful design made it possible to dry out the canal entirely using wells placed outside its perimeter.
Key challenges included low-permeability silty sands in certain sections, which initially hindered drawdown due to perched water. Our solution involved strategically excavating pits through the silty layer to the rock below, effectively draining the water like removing a bathtub plug.
Precision in selecting well screen slot sizes and filter packs ensured no fines were removed during dewatering, preserving the integrity of the site.
To expedite drying for the first canal section near Safa Park, we installed over 10 km of HDPE pipework. This robust, fuel-efficient solution maximized pump performance and minimized damage risks. A booster pumping station near Al Wasl Road propelled discharge water through a 630mm diameter line to the sea. Our containerized electric booster pump stations, ideal for residential areas due to their low noise, provided modular and scalable pumping capacity—ranging from a few liters per second to over 1000 l/s.
WJ Groundwater is honored to have played a pivotal role in this iconic Roads and Transport Authority project. The collaboration and professionalism of Besix were instrumental in achieving success, and we are proud to have contributed to such a transformative addition to Dubai’s infrastructure.
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