The Directorate General of Water in the province of Asir closed down its water distribution pipe networks Thursday in the towns of Abha, Khamis Mushayt and Ahad Rufeida to allow for maintenance work to the Al-Shaqeeq water desalination plant. The closure, which comes during a time when the region has been suffering from a severe lack of water, is expected to cause a further reduction in supply for a period of 45 days. Local residents have for some time urged authorities to put emergency plans, such as reserve tanks, in place for times of mechanical failure or maintenance work at the desalination plant. Yazid Bin Yahya Aal Ayedh, Director General for Water in the region, said maintenance work was essential to allow the plant to work efficiently. “The reduction in water to the region makes it difficult to distribute it through pipe networks and distribution stations at the same time,” Aal Ayedh said. “Therefore, we have reluctantly decided to close the pipe networks and distribute all water supplies through the five distribution stations in Abha, La'san, Al-Mua'ridh, Al-Rawna, and Ahad Rufeida, which will all operate to full capacity to serve our valued consumers,” he added.
