Water truck owners in Tabuk have increased the price of water from SR40 to an astronomical SR200 without any justification in Ramadan, say Tabuk citizens. They say water truck owners are “greedy” and called on the authorities to take action. Umm Abdulrahman, a widow with seven children, said, “I was surprised when I called a water truck owner and he told me that the price was SR150 instead of SR40. I had no choice but to pay this amount. I am going to use water less now and only when necessary.” When asked about the reason for these high prices, water truck owners said that water filling stations increased the price from SR5 to SR10, so they also had to increase their prices. Okaz/Saudi Gazette conveyed the complaints to Saleh Al-Sharari, Director-General of Water Authority in Tabuk Region. Al-Sharari said, “Water truck owners take advantage of citizens. There are many water wells and there is no need to raise prices. The Water Authority is ready to provide water to citizens who do not get service. These citizens should go to the authority to get water service coupons.” Al-Sharari called on water truck drivers to go to the wells run by the Water Authority where they can fill water free-of-charge and restore the old prices so they do not take advantage of citizens in this holy month. __
