RABIGH – A number of Saudis have expressed their anguish over the unloading of sewage by truck drivers along Jeddah-Rabigh Expressway a few kilometers away from Meeqat Al-Juhfa, where pilgrims put on their ihram before heading to Makkah for Haj and Umrah. "If this practice continues we can soon expect the appearance of a new musk lake in Rabigh after the notorious Jeddah musk lake," said Wael Al-Judaibi in comments published by Al-Madinah Arabic daily while urging authorities to punish sewage truck drivers for violating the law. Al-Judaibi condemned the truck drivers for selecting a place closer to Meeqat Al-Juhfa for unloading waste. "Sewage is accumulating in the area like the erstwhile musk lake in Jeddah and this will affect the health of residents as well as those who pass by," he said. He said the dangerous practice would lead to environmental pollution and the spread of infectious diseases in the city. He called for immediate steps to stop the violation. Obaid Al-Zubaidy also invited the attention of authorities to the emerging musk lake. "People will think the water accumulated in the area is due to rain. Unfortunately it's the creation of people driving sewage trucks," he said, adding that this huge swamp would become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that could spread various diseases including dengue and Zika. Salman Al-Baidani accused the authorities of not taking any action against truck drivers for violating hygiene regulations. "The area they have selected for dumping sewage is not at all acceptable. First of all Meeqat Al-Juhfa is an important religious place while Rabigh is a major economic city in the Kingdom," he told the Arabic daily. Hani Al-Aufi stressed that the dump for sewage should be located far away from the city, main roads and residential areas. "We don't need another musk lake," he said. Mohammed Al-Baqami, spokesman for Jeddah Municipality, said the sewage was unloaded in the area by a contracting company and that the municipality has informed the concerned authorities including the water and sewage department and the chief administrative officer of Rabigh not to allow them to unload sewage except in its allotted areas to protect public health. A wall will be constructed around the dump, he said, adding that the sewage would be treated to use it for irrigation purposes while insecticides would be sprayed to destroy mosquitoes.
