National Water Company (NWC) personnel patrolled the streets yesterday in the Marwa and Safa districts in east Jeddah to continue their investigation of water flowing from houses due to a massive groundwater leak.

The leak has turned many streets, with 200,000 inhabitants residing in the area, into rivers, according to NWC personnel. It also is threatening the districts' infrastructure and residential buildings as the ground softens due to saturation.

The area is prone to high level groundwater where earlier NWC had operated pumps to extract water 24 hours daily. There are several places in North Jeddah that also are experiencing similar problems. Officials are making several studies to find proper solution to the problem. According to area residents, the street water problem persisted for the last two weeks despite complaints to city authorities.

Residents who live in Safa and Marwa district are complaining about the stagnated groundwater, which is hampering day-to-day activities.

Patients say they are facing problems walking into Jedani Hospital due to the high levels of water.

Small businesses, such as grocery stores and small restaurants, are losing due to water logging.

Ali Shaban Baghali, a resident who lives in the area, told Arab News that they have “no hope in near future of the problem being solved.” Residents continue to suffer, he said.

Resident Mohammed Abdu Shubaili said that he is not certain about the type of water whether it is ground,Thousands of motorists passing through the Prince Metaib Street and Abdullah Sharbatly Street intersection also face hurdles as the flow of water has created deep and large potholes. Motorists are forced to slow their vehicles completely and drive cautiously to avoid accidents, says driver Parvez Mian who drives on the street every day.

Flooding also extend toward Sari Street direction and new road signals are damaged.

The responsibility of addressing the problem by providing logistics is now turning into a newly emerging bone of contention between the NWC and the Jeddah Municipality.

The rising groundwater table in North Jeddah is becoming an issue that is posing threat to buildings in the Safa and Marwa districts.