In the absence of special sewage trucks to pump out water, residents are forced to drain it outside their buildings, only to clog the streets due to an inadequate drainage network in the city.
Worried over the situation, the residents have asked the authorities to swiftly deal with the stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and multiplying.
An official at the Makkah municipality denied that mosquitoes carrying dengue fever would breed in sewage water, but medical doctors have disagreed with him.
Speaking to Arab News, Saudi citizen Ahmad Al-Zain said he was living in Al-Awali district, which had no sewage system.
He said he had to hire sewage trucks to get rid of the water that had collected outside his home.
“Rental fees are not expensive. It may cost you between SR90 and SR120. This little money will rid you of the sewage water and protect your children from diseases,” he said.
He asked citizens and expatriates to dispose of sewage water by taking it away in trucks instead of dumping it on the streets.
Ali Al-Badri, another citizen, said he and his neighbors drained the water at a nearby street where it has been accumulating, causing bad smells.
“My 11-year-old daughter suffers from asthma. Her health condition has deteriorated because of the bad smell,” he said.
Deputy mayor for services Abdul Salam Mashshat denied that mosquitoes would collect in sewage water.
“On the contrary, mosquitoes usually multiply in clean water,” he said.
He threatened to punish residents who did not properly dispose of sewage water in their homes.
“We will give the homeowner a chance or two but the third time we will cut the power from his home,” he said.
Dr. Muhammad Abdul Wahab, a chest consultant, did not agree with him. He said mosquitoes would breed in sewage water.
“Mosquitoes will cause fatal diseases including typhoid, malaria and dengue fever,” he warned, asking people not to allow sewage water to collect inside their homes.
