The Water Directorate in Jizan has closed down a number of outlets selling desalinated water in Al-Reeth after its analyses showed the water to be a health risk. A source at the Water Directorate said the outlets were using water tanks that failed to comply with health standards which had led to microbial pollution of the water. Some tanks had not undergone maintenance and had developed rust and health damaging chemicals were detected which, according to the source, “could be a potential source of hepatitis”. Over half of the tanks belonging to local residents have also been found to be unfit for the storage of drinking water. The region has been suffering from an acute water shortage which locals say has forced them to pay high prices to bring water from the Lajab Valley. Resident Jabbar Al-Reethi said that water provided by the directorate was not enough for villages in the vicinity, forcing inhabitants to purchase water from tanker trucks at prices exceeding SR100 per truck.
