JEDDAH — A committee has been set up to deal with the pollution in Al-Arbaeen Lake. A source said a committee consists of representatives from Makkah Municipal and Rural Affairs Directorate, National Water Company, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Jeddah Municipality and King Abdulaziz University. "The committee was formed after Al-Arbaeen Lake became a dumpster overloaded with waste. Its stench is polluting the air in the area. The committee is proposing to remove and dry up the lake and renovate the area," said the source. The source also said the lake also filled with dead fish that add to its stench. The committee is studying possible solution to the problem as pollution of the lake is negatively affecting the environmental health of the area," said the source. Majed Bakharibah, a resident near the lake, said the lake used to be a local recreational site but it has now become the source of pollution in the area. "The lake is located next to the municipality's office, yet the officials have not done anything about it. It needs to be cleaned and maintained. It was a recreational site for us and now we fear for our health when we are near it," said Bakharibah. Abdulmajeed Al-Qarni said the first step that needs to be taken to remove the pollution in the lake is stop the flow of sewage waste into it. "The lake needs to be sanitized from polluted stagnant water. The municipality should also hire a contractor to run regular cleaning exercises. "The municipality should cooperate with the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment to find a common solution to this pollution problem," said Al-Qarni. Jeddah Municipality spokesman Mohammad Al-Bugamy said the municipality has joined the committee to solve the pollution of Al-Arbaeen Lake. "The committee will conduct a well-informed study on the case to come up with a permanent solution," said Al-Bugamy.
