Dubai Municipality launches ‘Safe Water for a Healthy Community' initiative
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Municipality, in collaboration with the Community Development Authority (CDA), has launched the 'Safe Water for a Healthy Community' initiative to enhance water system safety in senior citizens' homes and villas. The initiative aligns with 2025 as the Year of the Community, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to fostering a cohesive, supportive, and sustainable society.
The initiative reflects Dubai Municipality's dedication to proactive public health protection, ensuring that domestic water systems meet the highest international quality standards. Through technical assessments, laboratory testing, and community engagement, the initiative aims to reduce health risks associated with water contamination, while strengthening community partnerships and service excellence.
Ensuring safe and high-quality water systems
In the first phase, the initiative will assess 42 homes and villas in 10 different areas across Dubai, focusing on water system safety and compliance with international best practices. Field inspections will be conducted by specialist engineering teams, who will collect water samples for analysis at Dubai Central Laboratory. Any identified risks will be addressed through corrective measures in collaboration with water treatment specialists.
To further promote awareness on water safety and hygiene, Dubai Municipality and CDA will host educational workshops in Dubai councils, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean and safe water systems and the impact of water quality on public health.
Commitment to public health and sustainability
Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised the initiative's role in enhancing community well-being and preventive health measures: "This initiative shows Dubai Municipality's commitment to ensuring a healthy and safe environment for all community members. By implementing proactive measures, we aim to enhance public health protection, improve water quality, and strengthen Dubai's sustainable health system. Through community engagement, education, and preventive action, we are working towards a safer and healthier future for all."
Dr Naseem further highlighted the importance of regular household water testing, ensuring that water remains free from chemical and bacterial contaminants. By maintaining high water quality standards, the initiative reduces the risk of diseases linked to contaminated water, safeguarding community health.
For his part, Muhannad Saeed, Director of the Senior Citizens Department at the Community Development Authority, stated: 'This initiative is part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens and ensure their well-being across various aspects. Safe water in homes is a fundamental factor in maintaining their health and daily comfort. Our collaboration with Dubai Municipality reflects our commitment to providing a safe and sustainable environment for senior citizens through proactive measures that ensure household water systems meet the highest quality standards. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of regular maintenance and water quality checks helps in strengthening preventive measures and reducing health risks, ultimately contributing to the well-being and overall quality of life of senior citizens. We believe that these joint efforts will further enhance a supportive environment that safeguards their health and ensures their comfort and stability.'
Encouraging community participation in water safety
Dubai Municipality encourages residents to adopt sustainable water safety practices to maintain the cleanliness and efficiency of domestic water systems. As part of these efforts, residents are advised to disinfect and clean water tanks and plumbing systems at least every six months using companies approved by Dubai Municipality. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent the accumulation of pollutants and ensure the proper functioning of water systems, reducing potential health risks. Additionally, draining stagnant water is recommended to minimise the risk of bacterial growth and contamination, ensuring a safe and hygienic water supply for households.
By implementing preventive measures and raising awareness, Dubai Municipality and CDA aim to ensure long-term water safety, enhance public health, and promote sustainable living practices across the emirate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai is using smart packaging, AI to measure food freshness, ensure safety
Dubai is using technology to ensure food safety, applying innovative ways to go the extra mile when it comes to identifying risks to public health and detecting violations through meticulous inspections. Dubai Municipality has also launched the second edition of the Dubai Food Elite (DFE) programme to build a culture of food safety in the emirate A unified permit system by Dubai Municipality has cut down the time taken for business operators to apply for permits by 75 per cent. The time required to apply for permits dropped from 40 minutes to 10 minutes which helped rejection rates plummet 80 per cent. The second edition of the DFE aims to include more than 500 establishments and further promote a culture of excellence in Dubai's food sector. Last year, several restaurants were granted the special status for going above and beyond to maintain food safety standards. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The third edition of the Dubai Food Safety Forum took place on Tuesday and brought together representatives from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and other members of the public and private sector organisations, as well as academic institutions. According to Sultan Al Taher, Director of Food Safety Department at DM, the emirate of Dubai goes the extra mile to ensure food safety. 'We have 26,000 food establishments in Dubai and more than 350,000 food handlers,' he said. 'We are receiving about 8 million tons of food yearly through the emirate of Dubai. The food safety department oversees inspection of these facilities, and we carry out more and more inspections. We have around 60,000 food inspections every year.' The civic body uses technology to predict risks to food safety and prevent accidents. According to food safety officer Abdulazim Alsadani, some food products have smart packaging which gives real-time information about the product, like temperature and freshness. Additionally, they use artificial intelligence and other technology to foresee problems and risks. This helps them put in place preventive measures even before violations occur. Bobby Krishna from the food safety department reiterated that the aim of the DFE was for businesses to take ownership. 'We want to incrementally improve the culture,' he said. 'Food safety should not be the business of the leaders. It should be a joint effort by the entire team.' He added that the DFE was different from regular food inspections. 'Inspections look at violations specifically and check whether restaurants comply with the regulations,' he said. 'Meanwhile, DFE recognises and rewards those institutions which have a food safety culture.'
Hi Dubai
12 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Municipality Hosts Third Food Safety Forum to Bolster Global Standards
Dubai Municipality convened the third Dubai Food Safety Forum on World Food Safety Day, themed 'Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected,' uniting global experts to advance science-driven food safety policies and strengthen supply chain resilience. Held in Dubai, the event drew representatives from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and key public, private, and academic stakeholders. Discussions centered on leveraging science-based surveillance to enhance food system sustainability and empower informed consumer choices. Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, emphasized the Forum's role as a scientific platform to anticipate future challenges and build a smart, safe food ecosystem. 'Food safety starts with knowledge and excellence-driven solutions,' he said, highlighting Dubai's commitment to global standards and community health. Mohamed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry, underscored the UAE's leadership in food safety, driven by its National Food Security Strategy 2051. Initiatives like the 'ZAD' food trade portal and Biosecurity Early Notification System reflect efforts to integrate digital tools and risk assessments, ensuring seamless trade and high safety standards. Dr. Ahmed Mokhtar of FAO noted that foodborne illnesses impact 600 million people annually, costing billions. He praised the UAE's science-based approach, including a new strategic index for national food control systems developed with FAO. The Forum also announced the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, set for 17-19 November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, expecting over 3,000 global participants. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
Dubai Municipality hosts third Dubai Food Safety Forum
Dubai Municipality hosted the third edition of the Dubai Food Safety Forum in conjunction with World Food Safety Day, observed this year under the theme 'Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected.' The event brought together representatives from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and key players from public and private sector organisations as well as academic institutions. The Forum explored strategic themes focused on the role of science in food safety policymaking and risk management. Discussions addressed how science-based surveillance systems can improve food supply chain resilience, while enabling consumers to make informed and sustainable choices. The event reflects Dubai Municipality's continued efforts to promote a safe, integrated food system that contributes to public health and long-term food security. Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, stated: 'At Dubai Municipality, we believe that food safety starts with knowledge — understanding the challenges and pursuing excellence-driven solutions that translate into tangible actions. The Dubai Food Safety Forum serves as a vital scientific platform that enables us to anticipate the future of food and build a smart, safe food system that supports community health, enhances quality of life, and ensures resource sustainability.' He added: 'We are committed to building a sustainable food ecosystem in line with the highest global standards — one that ensures the best quality of life for Dubai's residents and is built on innovation, scientific research, best practices, and active partnerships across the public and private sectors.' Mohamed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, stated: 'Third Food Safety Symposium in Dubai comes at a time when global food supply chains become more complex and challenging. This forum is a platform for exchanging scientific knowledge, best practices, and regulatory insights among key stakeholders at the local and international levels. Marking the World Food Safety Day under the theme 'Food Safety: Science in Action,' the event highlights the UAE's science-based approach to safeguard public health, improve community welfare, and build robust food systems.' He added: 'The UAE has placed food safety at the core of its national priorities and as a key pillar of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Through strong partnerships across regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and the private sector, the Ministry is advancing a fully integrated food safety system. This includes digital transformation efforts, risk assessment capabilities, and national initiatives such as the 'ZAD' unified food trade portal and the Biosecurity Early Notification System. These systems contribute to maintaining high food safety standards enabling seamless food trade across the country's borders.' Al Nuaimi continued: 'Today, the UAE stands as a global leader in building a robust legislative and regulatory framework for food safety. In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), we are currently developing a new strategic index to assess national food control systems based on the latest scientific benchmarks. These efforts reflect our commitment to protecting human health, boosting economic competitiveness, and attracting investments in agri-food innovation — all while ensuring sustainable food systems for future generations.' Dr Ahmed Mokhtar, Acting Regional Programme Leader and Senior Economist at FAO's Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa, commended the UAE's scientific and governance-based approach to food safety. Dr Mokhtar said: 'The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that foodborne illnesses affect nearly 600 million people each year, causing economic losses of more than USD 110 billion in low- and middle-income countries. On World Food Safety Day, FAO affirms that science is the cornerstone of sound decision-making in food safety. It guides risk assessment and helps shape policies and standards that protect public health and build trust in food systems.' During the Forum, Dubai Municipality announced that registration is now open for the 19th edition of the Dubai International Food Safety Conference, which will be held from 17 to 19 November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Organised in collaboration with FAO, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the event is the largest food safety platform of its kind in the region. It is expected to welcome more than 3,000 participants from across the globe, including international experts, researchers, academic institutions, regulatory authorities, and private sector leaders.
