JEDDAH, 1 October 2007 — As soon as the clock strikes 12 noon, only Saudis are allowed to buy water from the water distribution plant at Al-Faisaliah district in Jeddah. Two large signs on either side of the entrance state clearly “Expatriates served from 4 a.m. to 12 noon only.” A security guard is also on duty to check IDs.

“Don’t non-Saudis need water too?” “Are we not human?” and “The scheduled hours are not convenient,” were among the complaints by a number of frustrated foreigners as they were denied service yesterday. They were told to come during the designated expatriate hours.

In an explanation for the way things are being done, a senior official at Al-Faisaliah center said that the segregation policy at the water distribution center is contributing to shutting down the black market.

“It is paying off tremendously as you can see from the disappearance of long queues,” he said. “This decision by the ministry has proven useful in putting a stop to the black market,” he added. “Ninety percent of the foreigners who bought water from the distribution center in the past were dealing in the black market,” he added.

According to reports (including one by the passport department after a series of raids in the district), a large number of overstayers were operating an illegal water distribution market in the area.

According to the official, it was in the best interest of the black market to keep the long queues. The operation includes two people — the truck driver and his accomplice who waited in line. The two would then split the profit .

They had customers in various areas of the city and provided them with home water delivery in response to a phone call. The profit was made by charging customers extra for their service; charges could reach as much as SR500, depending on the season and the amount of congestion at the water center.

“Despite the high charges, there is a great demand on the black market,” said the official. He went on to say that the majority of those dealing in the black market were overstayers. At the water distribution center, the official blamed the black market for the price increase.

He added that the center was always blamed for the long queues and large crowds.

“People think that we are to blame for large crowds in Ramadan. They should ask why supermarkets are more crowded in Ramadan than in other months. Then, they might realize the answer,” said the official.