MAKKAH — Residents of Fahas Al-Douri District, north of Makkah, have warned authorities about a possible environmental catastrophe due to mixing of sewage with underground water, adding that the contaminated water could reach their underground drinking water tanks. They blamed the National Water Company and Makkah Mayoralty for the damages caused by the surfacing of underground water in the district during the last seven years. Swamps have appeared throughout the district, spreading bad odor and producing disease-carrying mosquitoes. "The accumulated sewage and underground water damages asphalted roads in the neighborhood," Saud Al-Harbi told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He said the underground water was threatening the foundation of their houses, which they constructed spending millions of riyals. "For the last seven years, ground water has been gushing forth in the district damaging its streets and houses," Al-Harbi said, adding that the problem was caused by the special geological condition of the district and its topography. He said the absence of a sewage network in the district has complicated the situation, with the appearance of swamps that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. "The swamps not only spread bad odor but also destroy the district's roads," he added. Hammad Al-Lahyani said landslides have become common in the district as a result of the outflow of ground water. "The problem is getting worse as it has started damaging the foundation of homes and other buildings in the area," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. He cautioned authorities that the mixing of ground water with sewage would bring about an environmental catastrophe with the contaminated water going into underground water tanks of houses. He said the underground water had affected his commercial complex. Majed Al-Sulami also complained that the underground water has hit his house. "The worsening environment situation in the district has forced many residents to leave in search of better and safer places," he added. Many residents have expressed their disappointment for building homes in the district, spending millions of riyals. Al-Sulami blamed NWC and the mayoralty for worsening the problem as the authorities did not do anything so far to solve the problem faced by residents. Adnan Sabgha, owner of a perfume shop, said the appearance of swamps in front of the shop had incurred him heavy losses as customers abandoned his business. "Our problem exacerbates during the rainy season when the water level goes up," he added. "We have contacted NWC and the mayoralty to find a solution for the problem but they did not take any action so far," Sabgha said and urged higher authorities to intervene.
