AE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep every water tank cleaning in Dubai on schedule
Dubai Municipality guideline GU44 on Legionella control requires all water storage tanks, water heaters and water filters to be emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year, and whenever Legionella is detected (section 12-1). The premises must hold a valid tank cleaning certificate and maintenance contract.
Dubai Municipality's technical guideline GU44 on Legionella control applies to water used in all built environments, including hotels, educational institutes, commercial, governmental and residential buildings and labour accommodation. It states that every violator is legally accountable under Local Order No. 11 of 2003 on public health and community safety.
Under GU44, all water storage tanks, water heaters (calorifiers) and water filters must be emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year, and also whenever Legionella is detected in the system. The domestic water checklist adds that water storage tanks are cleaned and disinfected with 50 mg/l chlorine at least twice a year, and kept clean and inspected at least monthly, with all covers intact and firmly in place.
The general checklist requires a valid water tank cleaning and disinfection certificate, a valid water system maintenance contract with an approved company, and a cleaning and maintenance company approved by Dubai Municipality.
At a glance
| Guideline | Dubai Municipality GU44, Legionella control in water systems (version 6, 19 August 2025) |
|---|---|
| Water storage tanks | Emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year, and when Legionella is detected |
| Also twice a year | Water heaters (calorifiers) and water filters |
| Monthly | Tanks kept clean and inspected; covers intact |
| Documents | Valid tank cleaning and disinfection certificate; valid maintenance contract |
| Contractor | Cleaning and maintenance company approved by Dubai Municipality |
Scope: Emirate of Dubai. Cooling water systems have their own GU44 rule: emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least once every six months.
Who is responsible?
The premises. GU44 requires a named person responsible for Legionella control, trained in Legionella control, with the training and the person's name documented, and a routine maintenance and cleaning program for the water system.
Keep the records ready for inspection
GU44 lists records that must be available for inspection by Dubai Municipality staff, including inspection, maintenance and infection control dates and results, treatment details and the names of the people responsible. Required reports are submitted online through Dubai Municipality's Building Health and Safety Compliance Test Reports e-service.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each building or tank and record the date the next cleaning and disinfection is due, for example six months after the last one, so it happens at least twice a year.
- Track the cleaning certificate and the maintenance contract as separate documents, because both must be valid.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the due date and on the due date itself.
- Assign a responsible person (for example your facility manager or the named Legionella control person) so the right person gets the reminder.
- If a date passes, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
- Ask the cleaning company to upload the new certificate through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
- Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must water tanks be cleaned in Dubai?
- At least twice a year, and also when Legionella is detected in the system (Dubai Municipality guideline GU44, section 12-1).
- What else must be cleaned twice a year?
- Water heaters (calorifiers) and water filters must also be emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least twice a year (GU44, section 12-1).
- Who can clean the tanks?
- GU44 requires the water system cleaning and maintenance company to be approved by Dubai Municipality (GU44, general checklist 20-1).
- Do tanks need checks between cleanings?
- Yes. Water storage tanks must be kept clean and inspected at least monthly, with all covers intact and firmly in place (GU44, checklist 20-2).
Sources
Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for water tank cleaning and disinfection (Dubai Municipality) (UAE)
A ready template for water tank cleaning and disinfection (Dubai Municipality) (UAE) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each water tank cleaning and disinfection (Dubai Municipality) (UAE) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each water tank cleaning and disinfection (Dubai Municipality) (UAE) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.