Residents of Safa District say that overflowing sewage is causing health problems in their neighborhoods and have appealed to the authorities to take action.

Those living and working on Prince Miteb Street said that the toxic and foul-smelling sewage is flowing out onto the streets. Many complained that they have been suffering from headaches and other ailments. In addition, business owners say they are losing customers because of the unhygienic conditions.

Abu Jaber, a shop owner, said he called the authorities several times to take action but to no avail.

Abu Ali, another shop owner, said: “This sewage water leaking onto the streets is pumped up by trucks every one or two months. The area becomes dry for only a day or two. Then (we have to wait for the) sewage trucks to come back again.”

Abu Ali said the bad smell has spread throughout the entire shopping and residential area. A vehicle broke down a few days ago in the middle of a pool of sewage, and the driver and residents had to pull the car from the waste.

Nasser Al-Baqmi, a resident, said: “All the residents here are willing to pay for the cost of trucks to come on a daily basis to get rid of the waste water.”

Jeddah municipality spokesman Abdulaziz Al-Nahari told Arab News that the removal of waste water is the responsibility of the National Water Company.