JEDDAH: Jeddah Mayoralty officials stressed to Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the National Water Company is responsible for the spread of pools of foul-smelling water in different parts of the governorate. The pools are the result of overflows from the sanitary drainage network and desalinated water from the water network, which are the National Water Company's responsibility, according to the Jeddah Mayoralty. Engineer Abdullah Al-Assaf, director of the National Water Company, would not address the matter, asked for an official letter and said he would reply in two days. Mayoralty officials said they have received numerous complaints from residents and sent several letters to the NWC asking it to urgently address the problem to protect the environment and public property. In one letter, the Jeddah Mayoralty said the overflows have led to the formation of pools of stinking water that are breeding grounds for harmful insects and that erode asphalt on roads. The Mayoralty pointed out that the continuing spread of these pools of foul-smelling water has led to complaints from citizens and residents in more than 20 areas and its operation room has repeatedly informed the NWC about these problems. The Jeddah Mayoralty said it is working to deal with the overflows and that it cooperates with the National Water Company by pumping water from the stagnant pools. The Mayoralty added, “We understand the citizens being disgruntled about the problem due to its clear adverse effects on health and the environment.” The Jeddah Mayoralty said it strives to work with government and private authorities to address the problems and that it has carried out projects to lower the water table in areas that have groundwater overflows. The Mayoralty said that those situations do not involve sewage water or potable water and that it will start a project to lower the groundwater level in a number of districts including Kilo 14, Al-Jawharah, Western Al-Baghdadiah, Al-Salama 2, Al-Muntazahat Bridge, Al-Ajwad, Al-Samer, northern Al-Naseem and Al-Musa'ed.
