Virtual underground city in Dubai

What lies beneath the $1.6 billion (Dh5.88 billion) Atlantis, The Palm, is almost as awe-inspiring as the mammoth fish tanks, waterslides and waterways, says the Dubai-based water engineering firm that made it all possible.

Septech says a virtual underground city has been built underneath the exhibits to furnish 65,000 marine animals with 880 million litres of filtered water each day.

Iwan Baxter Hughes, Project Director, Septech, said, we were contracted to build a $40-million (Dh146.92 million) system to supply one of the largest water theme parks on the planet was one of the biggest challenges the 12-year-old firm had ever embraced upon.

“The magnitude of the project was enormous,” said Hughes. “It was a huge logistical experience.”
The two-year project was increased by 30 per cent in size, but was still finished in the original time agreed upon. Kerzner International will open its hotel and aquaventure park on the outer reaches of The Palm Jumeirah on September 24.

In addition to 42 million of saltwater tanks, Septech also provided desalination services to process 18 million litres of freshwater for the 17-hectare waterpark.

At its peak, Hughes said 130 people were working solely on the construction of the waterworks, ranging from a massive seawater intake basin to the 14 control plants in
which 350 water pumps lift the water to the waiting tanks and spillways.
Seawater is processed through sand and ozone filters to eliminate waterborne bacteria and manmade chemicals from entering the tanks in order to keep the fish free from illness and stress, he said.

The main marine life repository -- the 11-million litre ambassador tank -- is fed through at least 30 pumps and a gadget called a “foam fractionator,” equipment that keeps foam from entering the system.

The fractionator “looks like something out of Dr Who or H.G. Wells,” Hughes said.
Approximately 75 kilometres of “pipe sizes ranging from one inch to 24 inches” were installed all along the Palm Crescent to connect the hidden infrastructure of the water systems, he said.

The work by Septech was at the inaugural Middle East Facilities Management Awards in June, where it was presented the mechanical, electrical and plumbing service provider of the year award for its work on Atlantis and other major projects such as the newly opened Els Club at Dubai Sports City.

Septech installed the waterworks at Ernie Els The Dunes golf course to provide up to
900,000 gallons of water a day in the winter and up to two millions gallons in the summer per day.

Atlantis, The Palm involves:

• 880 million litres of water per day
• 350 man-sized water pumps
• 14 control plants
• 75 kilometres of pipes ranging in size from one-inch to 24-inch
•  Water infrastructure project took two years and 130 employees to complete
• The system will keep 65,000 marine animals in good health

SOURCE: Septech and Kerzner International