By Hussain Hazzazi

OKAZ/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – A heat wave with temperatures reaching as high as 50 degrees Celsius across the Kingdom drove Saudis to find ways to lower the heat of water stored on rooftops.

The high temperatures hitting water containers compelled many to avoid running water at home during daytime, especially at noon.

In the 1990s, residents cooled off their water tanks by moving them close to high walls of big mansions and buildings nearby. Decades later, technology would allow for more innovative ways to relieve the heat from boiling tap water.

The latest method is an eco-friendly air-conditioning system to cool off at the water reservoir.

Iqbal Al-Hindi, a worker in one of the vendors of the system, said, “The cooling system on rooftops is unique and one of a kind. The water tank contains a cooling system for the summer when it is almost impossible to run the tap water due to the heat. This treatment allows for the water temperature to be controlled and reduced to 20 degrees using a remote control inside the house.”

He adds, “The tanks are available in different sizes and are easy to set up and maintain.”

The innovative water tank, which costs up to SR3,000, attracted a large number of customers.