Stagnant water poses health hazard in Jeddah

Many residents here are fearful that they might contract various water-borne diseases from large pools of stagnant water caused by the lack of proper drainage in their neighborhoods.
Ahmed Al-Saud, a resident of Arbaeen district, said: “The dirty stagnant water is a frequent sight in front of my house along with the smell of decaying (substances) in the locality.”
He said residents are afraid an epidemic might break out because of the many disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Fahad Abdullah, who lives in Al-Ruwais district, said that people are living in unhygienic conditions because of the absence of a proper drainage system.
“The weather has changed. Many people are suffering from viral fevers and colds. The stagnant water adds to the diseases because mosquitoes are breeding in the area,” he said.
According to a city doctor, the stagnant water creates further health problems because it helps to breed mosquitoes carrying dengue fever. He said hospitals have recorded more cases of people infected with the disease, creating the risk of it spreading further.
He said residents should lodge complaints with the Jeddah Municipality to sort out the overflowing drains and remove the stagnant water.
The most affected areas are in east Jeddah, including Ghulail, Sharafiya, Ruwais and Kandra. Several uptown city areas have also been affected because of the lack of basic drainage.
Mohammed, an engineer living in Sahafa district, said: “The only solution to this never-ending problem is the construction of proper drainage. We find it difficult to walk sometimes close to my house because of the overflowing water.”
Officials from the Jeddah Municipality said efforts are under way to repair and renovate the city's entire drainage system.
Residents said they would lodge complaints with the municipality and call for the urgent upgrade of the drainage system.