A slap in the face is a bad thing. It is usually a surprise action that stuns the slapped and makes him react in a way that is in nobody’s best interest. The attitude of the Jeddah municipality toward Musk Lake is rather like the reaction of someone who has endured many painful slaps in his face. The municipality’s decision about the lake was irrational and aimed at regaining some of its dignity which had been shattered over the past few days.
The municipality decided to establish a new dam in order to drain the sewage water in Musk Lake to Al-Tawfiq district and then to the sea. This was an individual decision by the municipality. How could it do this when it knows very well the dangers of creating new areas of standing water that may increase both pollution and the chances of epidemics in Jeddah?
By such behavior, the municipality is saying, with full force, that it will drain the sewage water (at a subsequent time) into the sea. Does the municipality realize that it has already polluted the sea to one of the highest levels in the world?
The Musk Lake business was a temporary solution (which has now been prolonged). It came into being for the sole purpose of not draining sewage into the sea.
Now, after the numerous slaps it has received, the municipality suddenly and without warning decides to throw these pollutants into the sea, just like that and without any shame. This is the most bizarre decision taken amid the crisis in which we live. If the municipality is so shameless, what then is the attitude of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment toward the decision? Furthermore, what is the position of the entire country regarding the decision to drain 17 years of sewage water into the sea? What madness is this? Is the existing pollution not enough for the municipality?
It has already polluted the sea to the point that some 35 years will be required for cleaning. If the current level of pollution in the Red Sea is the highest in the world, this means that the new millions of liters of sewage water to be dumped, by the municipality into the sea will completely wipe out any sign of life.
As a citizen of Jeddah, I register my complete objection to this irresponsible action by the municipality. If this is just a temporary solution to shift the attention away from Musk Lake for the time being, then it is a solution with the most dreadful consequences, especially on marine life and the marine environment.
All government departments should take a stand against this project. I request the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment to take on its responsibility toward the protection of the Red Sea before the pollution by the Jeddah municipality reaches the depths of the sea and threatens all marine life and ultimately, our lives as well. ([email protected])
