Abdulaziz Maafa Okaz/Saudi Gazette DHAMAD, Jazan — Residents of Dhamad demanded the closure of the city's sewage lagoon and to direct sewage water tankers to alternative locations, claiming local authorities have ordered its closure as an effluent pond five years ago. They say the pond's sides could break and cause an environmental disaster for nearby villages as sewage would flow through the Qusai Valley, mix with the valley's floodwater and cause contamination. They say they could not understand why local authorities have used the pond for years without looking for alternatives. The committee that was formed at the order of Jazan emir's office to tackle the issue years ago did not seem to reach a solution as tankers still line up to dump their load in the same place, said resident Ibrahim Abdu, adding that municipalities of the region's governorates insist on using it. He called on the committee to produce a solution to the hazards of possible overflowing as well as the stench. Another resident, Ali Sayed, said: “Sewage water is dumped in the pond in large quantities and when it rains heavily water in the pond rises to dangerous levels.” Fellow resident Ahmad Ibrahim said: “If the walls of the lagoon break because of high levels of water then adjacent villages will be devastated. “The sewage will run freely with the valley's flood water. We, the residents of these villages, only wish for the municipality to implement the regional governor's directives and close it immediately.” Former chairman of Dhamad Encroachment Committee Hasan Al-Shamhani warned the situation could become critical if unsolved. He held the committee formed to deal with the issue responsible for the delay as it was tasked with selecting an alternative location. The committee, comprised of members representing Sabia and Dhamad governorates, Al-Edabi and Fayfa rural centers, the local mayoralty, Department of Agriculture and Water and the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment had selected six possible locations to be studied and then approved by its members.
