People queuing for water in Jeddah. — Al-Madina photoJEDDAH – A water crisis in Jeddah is seeing many citizens and residents, including women and children, queue for hours in the scorching sun at the main water station in the city for a scarce water tanker. Mustafa Ali Al-Shaw, from east Jeddah, was quoted in a section of the Arabic press on Tuesday as saying that there has been a water shortage for 10 days. He was forced to rush to the main water station in Al-Tahlia Street to get a tanker at any cost. Faisal Al-Yami said: “I've been here for more than an hour-and-a-half. I did not get a number for a water tanker which means I will stay for many more hours until my turn comes.” One resident swore in the name of God that he only had SR114, which was not enough to buy a SR135 tanker on the black market. This means his family will not have water for a few days, he said. Idris Ibrahim, a resident, said at 1 P.M. that he had arrived at sunrise that morning. He also did not have a number for a tanker and had to wait for three more hours. All the tankers on the black market were sold out, he added. Said Al-Basha, an Egyptian, said: “I've been here for several hours and I have no hope I'll get a water tanker. Just look at these children who have been here for many hours under the scorching sun.” He said he sometimes does not get water for three days. Abdullah Al-Assaf, Director of Jeddah Works Unit for Desalination, said the National Water Company will give free water tankers to customers, or compensate them, if it finds the company was at fault. However, he added that damage to the water pipelines is beyond the company's control and can happen at any time.
