The decision by the Ministry of Water to impose fines on those who waste water is good news. Resorting to punishment, however, may not be the ideal solution to a problem that has a number of different aspects.
If we are really serious about solving the problem of excessive water consumption, we must begin by addressing the main causes of the problem and, in particular, repairing the broken network in our major cities.
According to published reports, the damage to mains and distribution pipes is very widespread; damaged pipes evidently account for a large quantity of water being wasted throughout the year. I am unaware of any attempts being made to repair the damaged pipes or punish those responsible for damage that should not be blamed only on subscribers.
Another disturbing problem is the report that sewage is being mixed with drinking water in some areas as a result of mains leakages and the absence of a modern sewage network. Once again, I am unaware of any measures being taken against those responsible for this serious environmental breach for which subscribers should not be blamed.
I don’t believe penalizing people by imposing fines is the right solution to a problem that requires a much greater and more sustained effort.
Why base our judgments on individual moods when it comes to as serious an issue as water? If people feel like it, they are careful with water, and if not, they are likely to waste it. Does this really mean we should penalize them? Why not address the roots of the problem? Start by repairing damaged and leaking pipes and by building a modern sewage system. Oblige all importers of equipment that uses water to stop immediately the importation of products that waste water. We must import only products that conserve water.
We must not look only at small problems and forget the big ones. This makes us look like a pupil who first answers the easy low-mark questions on an exam and then, when time is running out, turns to the hard high-mark ones and finds that he lacks the time to finish.
— Arab News Local Press 7 October 2003
