Water quality
Dubai Municipality Rules for Sweet Water Tankers, Explained
By the Dubai Water Tankers team · Published · Updated
What are Dubai Municipality's rules for sweet water tankers?
Dubai Municipality's Technical Guidelines for Quality of Unbottled Drinking Water (DM-HSD-GU17-DW2) say sweet water tankers should be used only for sweet water, be filled only at approved stations, and be clearly marked in Arabic and English. In practice, that means a sweet water tanker should never carry salt, site or recycled water.
- Guideline: DM-HSD-GU17-DW2 (Dubai Municipality)
- Sweet water tankers: sweet water only
- Filled only at approved stations
- Clearly marked in Arabic and English
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Dubai Municipality publishes Technical Guidelines for Quality of Unbottled Drinking Water, reference DM-HSD-GU17-DW2. It covers drinking water that isn’t sold in bottles, including water delivered by tanker. The full PDF is linked in the sources below; it’s the document to read if you manage a building, camp or facility.
This page summarises the three points that matter most when you order a tanker. It isn’t legal advice. For compliance, read the guideline itself and ask Dubai Municipality.
Point 1: sweet water tankers carry sweet water only
The guideline says sweet water tankers shouldn’t be used for any other purpose.
Why it matters: a tank that carried salt water, construction water or anything else can leave residue that contaminates the next load. Dedicated trucks remove that risk.
What it means for you: ask your supplier whether the truck delivering your sweet water ever carries anything else. Ours don’t. Our sweet water trucks carry sweet water only, and salt water comes in separate partner tankers. See salt water vs sweet water on site.
Point 2: fill only at approved stations
Sweet water should be filled only at approved filling stations.
Why it matters: the station is where quality starts. Water of unknown origin can’t be checked later.
What it means for you: ask where the water comes from. A supplier that can’t or won’t say is a warning sign. Approved sources include desalination plants with dedicated tanker filling points; EGA’s Jebel Ali plant is one public example.
Point 3: clear markings in Arabic and English
Sweet water tankers should be clearly marked in Arabic and English.
Why it matters: anyone at the gate (residents, watchmen, site supervisors) can see what the truck carries.
What it means for you: look at the tank when the truck arrives. No marking? Ask before the hose goes in.
A checklist for facility and camp managers
- Supplier confirms an approved filling station
- Trucks are sweet-water-only and marked in Arabic and English
- Separate suppliers or trucks for any salt water on site
- Building tanks cleaned and disinfected by a qualified company
- Delivery records kept (date, quantity, truck)
For larger properties, see building water tank supply and labour camp water supply.
Where your responsibility starts
Once water is in your tank, its quality depends on the tank. Keep covers sealed, clean tanks regularly and plan the refill after cleaning. More in is tanker water safe to drink and on our water quality page.