Okaz/Saudi Gazette SALEEL — Dangerous diseases such as cholera and hepatitis are likely to spread among residents of Faiziya village in Al-Sulail principality southeast of Riyadh as they are forced to drink contaminated water after the public supply line was damaged two months ago. Al-Sulail is the fourth largest principality in the Riyadh region with an area of 42,420 sq. km. It has a population of about 40,000. It is located close to the Empty Quarter. Faiziya residents blamed the company that was contracted to supply drinking water to the village as it operates only two small tankers to supply water and does not meet their requirements. An official at the ministry's office in Al-Sulail said the problem was caused after the drinking water pipeline to the village became out of order. He promised to repair the pipeline immediately. Mohammed Al-Dossari, a resident, highlighted the enormity of the problem. "Many people are seriously thinking of leaving the village to nearby towns seeking water as they feel the punch of thirst due to water shortage," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He said people were forced to bring water from an abandoned place that belonged to the Ministry of Water and Electricity, even after knowing its water is contaminated and not good for drinking. He warned that the drinking of contaminated water would lead to the spread of cholera, hepatitis and other dangerous diseases among the villagers. He expressed his anguish why the ministry was not taking measures to ensure regular supply of water by repairing the pipeline. "I cannot understand the reason for this long delay." Al-Dossari urged the ministry to repair the water pipeline immediately or increase the number of tankers that supply water to the village. He denounced the ministry's lukewarm response to the issue. "If the ministry officials had shown due interest the problem could have been solved quickly and people would not have to drink contaminated water to quench their thirst." Nasser Al-Yami, director of the ministry's office in Al-Sulail, said the well from which water has been pumped to the village is damaged. "The pumping system is also out of order," he said.
