THOSE who are aware of what is happening in Jeddah these days can only describe it as terrible. It is sad to see what is happening in the Briman, Guwaiza and Kilo 14 areas of the city. Despite the arrival of the floating desalination plant in Shuaiba which was supposed to ease the water problem, the water crisis continues. It is sad to see women and children waiting in line for long hours to get a water tanker. To make things worse, the water problem this year has begun exactly at the beginning of the year-end school examinations and the summer holiday.
People stand for long hours waiting for water tankers. They often pay as much as SR400 for a tanker which normally costs SR114. Sometimes, the price goes up to SR800. If the water shortage continues and families need around 10 tankers a month, that means that a single family would be paying at least SR4,000 a month for water. To add to this, not all people can stand for long hours in lines. Or afford that SR4,000.
Is the water crisis in Jeddah a sudden problem? Did the city’s population increase suddenly and unexpectedly? If the water problem becomes an annual summer event, what will happen when Haj comes in the hot summer months? Why are there still no solutions for this problem?
Muhammad Al-Farhan, president of the Jeddah Desalination Plant, told Al-Watan newspaper that the desalination plant was producing more water since the arrival of the floating desalination plant. However, he is unaware of the problems that exist in the water distribution center. Now, if the head of the Jeddah Desalination Plant is unaware of a problem that has existed for some time, then we are led to ask who does know about the problem and who is doing anything to solve it.
I do not understand why people have to be present in person at water distribution centers in order to get water. Why can’t they be served when they are at home? Why can’t they be served by phone? I know that answering these questions is impossible. Saudi citizens and residents alike are wasting a lot of time by coming to the water distribution centers. This water shortage is not new; it is quite old.
We do not have long-term solutions for the future. All our solutions are temporary and short-term. There is nothing to solve the problem forever. Why do we need trucks to deliver water to homes? Why aren’t there underground pipes installed? I do not want to discuss the sewage problem affecting Jeddah. What have the people at Jeddah Municipality been doing all these years? What are their accomplishments? Why is there no proper water system?
I believe Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal understands these problems. These problems need total and complete solutions. A lot of work is needed. Citizens and residents do not deserve to suffer the way they are currently being forced to.
