Water shortage continues to pose problems for Jeddah’s residents

Many districts in Jeddah continue to suffer a lack of water supply, which at times lasts for several days has taken a toll on residents’ lives, especially during the holy month of fasting.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the city, another recurring problem continues with districts such as Al-Rawdah flooded with water, crippling traffic and hampering the movement of residents.
The flooding has been attributed to either the overflowing of a water tank or a burst in the underground pipes.
Haji Baksh, a resident in the Kilo 3 area of Makkah road, told Arab news that his family hasn’t received water for 10 days.
“I am poor and can’t afford to buy water tankers for SR100 from the water company and the long queues mean it would take a long time for the water to be delivered,” he said.
Moin Patel lives in the Azizia District and also complained that residents in the area are suffering from a shortage in water, emphasizing that this is the second time this issue has occured during the month of Ramadan.
“Many homes in Azizia didn’t have water for more than three days during the beginning of Ramadan and we are now facing a shortage once again. Residents in other areas of the city waste water without thinking that there are some people in other parts of Jeddah who are without water,” he asserted.
Another resident at the Mushrefa District confirmed that there is a dearth of water in the district and that water supplies have been intermittent throughout Ramadan.
“No one knows when the water supply will stop and when we ask the building guard why there is no water, he replies that the municipality didn’t deliver supplies and that he needs to fetch water from the distribution center; we already have extra expenditures and such unexpected costs upset our budgets,” said Abdul Aziz.
Another citizen complained that residents still have to go to the distribution center to bring water trucks to their homes even after water pipes were laid throughout the city and that in some instances, officials at the distribution center require Saudis to be present and refuse to give water to expatriates.