MAKKAH — The National Water Company (NWC) is launching the first phase of the strategic water reserves for Makkah this month to cover emergency water shortages. The manager of the water sector and environmental services at NWC's Makkah branch, Mohammad Al-Fatani, said the first phase will have a capacity of 760,000 cubic meters of water. All necessary documents and preparations have been completed, and the company is awaiting the final approval to hand the site over to the contractor this month. He pointed out that the second phase of the project will also be for 760,000 cubic meters of water, and will commence after two months. Al-Fatani said the NWC has continued its efforts to deal with the water shortages, and that the main pipeline from Shuaibah desalination plant has been repaired. Water supplies will return to normal after five days. Meanwhile, water shortages in the city have continued for the third day running, and Al-Aziziyah water filling station is surging with huge crowds seeking a water tanker. Customers claim that they have to wait more than three hours to obtain a number and then have to wait for their turn to receive a tanker. They said the NWC should have alternative solutions to the water shortages, especially during the present period with a large number of Umrah pilgrims, who consume three times Makkah's current water supply.
