MUSCAT -- The huge greenish public waste collection bins located at the residential areas will be a thing of the past soon as the Muscat Municipality has put into action the plans to replace them with underground waste collection system in phases.
The various underground waste collection system units currently being installed in the city are aimed at better cityscape and environment protection according to the proponents of the system. Some of the units have already been handed over to Municipality and will soon be ready for use.
"We are aiming at a clean, hygienic environment that is supplementing the public health while giving the city a better look", a source at the Muscat Municipality told the Observer, adding that the project is in the initial stage and will install similar system in other parts of the country as well.
As part of the first phase of the two-phased project the contracting company has completed installation of these units at CBD and MBD areas and the initial project focus is on removing the over ground containers while the 2nd phase will be focused on re-cycling.
"We have completed removal of the over-ground wastewater collection system and installed underground wastewater collection units in CBD and MBD areas. We will soon be initiating the process of recycling the wastewater," Nikson Mathew, Divisional Manager CE, Al Bariq Equipment LLC, a leading suppliers of waste handling equipment has executed this project for Muscat Municipality told the Observer.
The current installation can handle approximately 125,000 litres of domestic waste daily and this can be increased if municipality desire to increase the number of collection as and when the necessity arises.
The system works with hydraulic power and the collection of containers is carried out through the truck installed with hydraulic lever which will hold the underground equipment and manage collection of waste.
Once the collection vehicle reaches the collection point the operator uses a quick hydraulic plugging system and connect the truck with the installation. The button located on the truck allows it to lift the equipment or keep it back. The movement of opening and closing automatically stops if the pressure on the button is released. The truck is equipped with an automatic stop switch in case of an emergency. Once the platform is lifted, the collection of waste is done on the rear part of the truck. The opening of the platform and removal of the containers takes about 20 seconds and the closing of the platform takes about 15 seconds.
With this underground wastewater collection system, the over ground containers will be not be visible anymore after the municipality switch to the new system.
Additionally, these underground waste management systems are easy use and keeps the environment harmonious by hiding the waste containers from public view offering better space management. Also, it helps to avoid waste plastic bags on the street and keeps the area odour-free.
"Another advantage is that these concealed waste collection units can stop spreading of insects and parasites on surface and avoids sound and visual pollution", he added. The existing collection vehicles and bins will be in use for this system as well.
© Oman Daily Observer 2014
