Madinah residents blast water shortages

MADINAH — Water shortages have emerged as a significant problem here during Ramadan. With the start of this holy month, and with the rising temperature, Madinah has witnessed repeated water shortages, with black market trade in water flourishing as a result. Residents in Al-Salam and Taibah neighborhoods have criticized the water administration in the region for breaking their promises of putting an end to water shortages. They said that the water administration had promised to operate the third stage of water network supply that would provide neighborhoods with increased water levels and to supply more water from wells. Hossam Al-Ahmadi, resident in Al-Salam district, said Al-Salam and Taibah neighborhoods had been deprived of water through underground water networks for more than ten years. Al-Salam asked why neighborhoods that are 50 kilometers away are receiving water regularly. "This problem arises every time the month of Ramadan starts. If the water administration acted quickly, then this problem would have disappeared,” he said. The head of General Directorate of Water in Madinah, Saleh Jablawi, said that they would start operating the third stage of the main pipeline as of next year, which would provide four million cubic meters of drinkable water. He blamed the rising demand for water on the increasing number of pilgrims and visitors and on the city’s expansion. "We are now completing the needed projects before the start of the third stage of the main water pipeline that will cover the entire neighborhoods in Madinah,” he said.