The Ecoplage® system consists of a set of drains installed under the beach, parallel to the coastline, and connected to a pumping station. The beach drainage allows the beach to recover and regain its natural functioning by losing sand during storms but also-and above all by accumulating it in calm weather. It consists in accompanying the beach, like a crutch, in its reconstitution.

In fact, the Ecoplage system creates a dry zone that favours the infiltration of waves and therefore the deposit of suspended sediments. At the same time, part of the wave energy is absorbed and the erosive effect is reduced. As the sand dries, the transport of sediments made by the wind is allowed, which favours the nourishment of the upper beach. In addition, the drained water is partly used to oxygenate a lagoon subject to hypoxia problems.

The aim of combining nourishment with the implementation of a drainage system is to curb erosion in order to limit the frequency and/or volume of nourishment required at Jumeirah beach. Given the high level of erosion, the objective is to reduce erosion by one third, from a balance of -30,000m3/year to -20,000m3/year. The project leaders hope that a “back pass” from the northern tombolo to the south will be sufficient to stabilise the entire beach. 

A topographic and bathymetric monitoring system has also been set up for 3 years by a local external company in order to follow the evolution of the site, to estimate the efficiency of the system and to calculate the volumes for the next renewals.