Future Builders, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is preparing to begin work on a new sewage line in Darayya (Rural Damascus, southwest of Damascus), 1,200 meters long and 80 centimeters in diameter.

The project aims to divert wastewater from Darayya and al-Moadamiya (west of Damascus) toward the main line leading to the treatment plant, and to address the problem of sewage overflow into homes and orchards.

Excavation and pipe-laying work is expected to begin next week, with implementation set to continue for about one month, according to Rabie Abdel Hafiz, an engineer at Future Builders, who spoke to Enab Baladi.

Main and service lines

Abdel Hafiz explained that the project includes laying a main sewage line with a diameter of 80 centimeters, in addition to a service line above the main line for properties located on both sides of the road, allowing them to be connected to the new network.

He said the project aims to “end the sewage problem in Darayya” by diverting wastewater to the main sewage lines instead of leaving it in open channels or blocked lines that cause water to overflow toward homes and agricultural land.

According to the company’s project manager, engineer Muhannad Kayali, the work is being carried out for UNDP in coordination with Darayya Municipality, after field inspections showed blockages in sewage lines extending to the final outlet.

Kayali added that the head of Darayya Municipality said “sewage lines are blocked all the way to the final outlet,” which is reflected in wastewater overflowing at several locations and reaching residents’ homes.

Darayya outlet toward treatment plant

Kayali said the project aims to implement the final sewage line for Darayya, so the network drains toward the line connected to the treatment plant, according to the set plan.

He explained that technical teams have begun taking elevation measurements and other technical readings in preparation for excavation and pipe installation. He said the project will serve the city on a broad scale, as Darayya’s current outlet drains into a surface channel, causing wastewater to overflow and flow back toward homes.

According to Kayali, the problem is due to some sewage lines in the area being surface-level or close to street level, increasing the likelihood of blockages and overflow instead of proper drainage toward the final outlet.

He added that the current channel will be lowered to a depth of nearly four meters underground, with new polyethylene pipes installed, in what he described as an “integrated” project to address the problem at its source.

Kayali said the project’s importance is not limited to ending residents’ suffering from sewage overflow, but also extends to reducing pollution in agricultural land and orchards, especially in areas reached by exposed wastewater or where it is improperly used for irrigation.

Obstacles in inspection chambers

During preparations for the work, implementation teams faced some obstacles related to inspection chambers, locally known as “rigarat,” located along the route of the line.

Kayali said the team was working with one open and ready inspection chamber before discovering that some farmers had buried it, forcing the team to search for it underground and reopen it for use within the project.

According to those overseeing the project, such practices disrupt work and block sewage routes, increasing the risk of network blockages and wastewater returning to streets or homes.

Sewage network is not a waste dump

Alongside the technical work, those in charge of the project stressed the need to raise community awareness about how to deal with the sewage network.

Mohammad al-Halabi, owner of Future Builders, said there is a need to educate residents not to use wastewater for irrigation, as it is unsuitable for watering crops and causes health and environmental problems.

Al-Halabi added that the company is implementing infrastructure projects in several Syrian areas, including desalination plants, sewage treatment projects, and electricity transmission towers in Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, Damascus, and Rural Damascus.

These include the Darayya project, as well as ongoing projects in Babila and Yalda (south of Damascus), and al-Kiswah (south of Damascus).

For his part, Kayali said dealing with sewage requires greater awareness, explaining that the network “is not a waste dump,” and that throwing garbage into inspection chambers or lines ultimately blocks them and causes wastewater to flow back onto residents themselves.

He added that some land near orchards has seen waste and carcasses dumped into inspection chambers, worsening pollution and blocking pipes.

According to Kayali, these practices are among the reasons behind repeated malfunctions, as some people open inspection chambers to dump waste inside them. The accumulated waste then blocks the sewage flow, causing polluted water to return to streets or homes.

Residents of Darayya are awaiting the start of the project in the coming days, amid repeated complaints about sewage overflow and its impact on homes and orchards. The implementing company expects the new line to form a key step toward addressing the problem and connecting the city to a safer and more organized sewage route.

Preparations for the project coincided with Darayya Municipality’s follow-up on other works in the city’s sewage network. Today, the municipality prepared 20 meters of sewage pipes ahead of laying them in the al-Qaryah al-Saghirah Road area, as part of efforts to address malfunctions and improve water drainage in damaged streets.