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The Late Eric Tulloch played a key role in Dubai's development. He was responsible for bringing Fresh Water to Dubai and developing a Fresh Water distribution system. Availability of Fresh Water played a key role in Dubai's rapid development.
Eric Tulloch came to Dubai in 1960 at the invitation of Sheikh Rashid. Sheikh Rashid was arranging his daughter Sheikha Mariam's wedding and needed 250,000 gallons of Fresh Water for the wedding celebrations. Eric was working in Doha in Qatar as a Water Engineer. Shaikh Rashid heard of Eric's reputation as a Water Enginerr and asked Eric to organise the delivery of 250,000 gallons of Fresh Water.
By 1961 Eric had organised Fresh Water to be piped from Al Awir to the top of Dubai Creek where Water Tankers collected the water for transport to distribution points around Dubai and Diera. Donkeys were used carry water in 2 gallon tanks from these distribution points to individual houses. What did the Fresh Water cost? Dirhams 30 for 1,000 gallons and Dirhams 1 for a four gallon Donkey load.
Eric went on to establish the Dubai Water Department and a Fresh Water distribution network. These became essential to Dubai future rapid development. Sheikha Shamma's house in Bur Dubai was the first house in Dubai to receive piped water and to install an internal plumbing system. Sheikha Shamma was one of Sheikh Rashid's Aunts.
Fresh Water played an important role in bringing shipping and trade to Dubai. Dubai's water quality was superior to any other Fresh Water in the Gulf region. Fresh Water available in other Gulf Countries had high salts and mineral content making it unsuitable for ship's boilers and unpalatable as drinking water without first filtering out the salts and minerals. Ships preferred to call at Dubai to load Fresh Water for their boilers and drinking water. Prior to 1971 ships had to anchor offshore from Dubai to discharge, load cargo and take on water. Water Barges loaded Fresh Water in Dubai Creek at a cost of Dirhams 5 per tonne. These barges were then towed out to the waiting ships anchored offshore where it was pumped aboard. Ships paid Dirhams 50 per ton for water loaded on board. Fresh Water was a profitable business in Dubai as it used to be!
