FIVE government authorities in Madinah have formed a committee to determine the source of the leak in a culvert system that discharges rainwater into a valley. The water flows into Al-Aqeeq Valley behind Al-Naseem and Al-Azhari districts. The aim is to find a solution that will allow residents to benefit from the water and prevent it from collecting in the valley. The committee is comprised of representatives of the municipality, Madinah Development Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and the Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet's Mosque, Al-Madinah daily reported. Several residents of the surrounding districts reported that swamps have formed in the valley and that clean water has been leaking from the culvert for the past several years. They also said the swamps have become a constant environmental and health concern as insects including mosquitoes breed in the stagnant water. Muhammad Ibrahim, a resident of Al-Basateen district, said residents are fed up of dealing with pools of water accumulating in the middle of the road leading to Al-Uyoon Road and several side streets. “The stagnant pools have led to the breeding of all kinds of insects. The source of this water is the Prophet's Mosque where worshippers use large amounts of water for ablution. The waste water then flows to this area,” he said while adding that the street leading to the Haraj is full of potholes. “A small lake disrupts the flow of cars, especially small ones. The municipality must intervene fast so as to solve the problem and benefit from this water which is just being wasted,” he added. Hassan Bakheet, a Saudi national, agreed with Ibrahim. He said this dirt road poses danger to vehicles that use it because of the presence of a swamp that extends from behind Al-Noor Market and under the culvert. The water then gushes to Al-Aqeeq Valley up to Al-Bayda Valley. “The stagnant water on this road is a nuisance for residents. Small cars often get stranded in the middle of the road while attempting to cross the swamp. Many cars turn back because drivers are afraid that their vehicles will get stuck. I'm surprised that the concerned authorities are not addressing the problem and finding a solution,” he said. Siddiq Sulaiman said no cars, except SUVs, can pass through the swamp. He also claimed the stagnant water will have a negative effect on the health of the residents in the long run and called for a committee to be formed to look into this situation and determine the source of the leak. “Perhaps they can fit large pipes under the ground and construct tanks to collect the water instead of just wasting it. The swamp has become a destination for birds and animals and plants have grown around it too,” he said.
