Residents of Quwaizah District, some of whom are spending their own money in an attempt to remove stagnant water, have been waiting since the Jeddah flood disaster for a solution to the problem, which contributes to the spread of mosquitoes carrying epidemic diseases. The problem is caused by the high water table, which pushes groundwater to the surface. An official source in Jeddah Mayoralty told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that maintenance teams would help address the problem by conducting field tours as soon as possible. The source said these tours are going on at a fast pace according to plan, in coordination with the related authorities. He pointed out that a meeting was held a few days ago in the mayoralty to stimulate plans to fight dengue fever and expedite other actions that were stalled due to a lack of financial allocations. District residents said that after waiting for officials to do something, they agreed to take matters into their own hands. Muhammad Al-Asmari said, “A group of neighbors agreed among themselves to collect money to divert the water to the floodwater canal instead of letting it collect in the district so long because the mayoralty has not been able to solve the problem. Our suffering started immediately following the Jeddah flood disasters last year.” Al- Asmari said pumping out this stagnant water using tanker truck would cost SR400 daily, which would cause financial hardship. “I'm providing for 14 boys and girls and I have fears they would contract epidemic diseases that have spread among the residents.” Muhammad Al-Salmi agrees that residents are facing serious problems. “Since the flood disaster, we have been suffering due to the rise of the groundwater to the surface and its mixing with the sewage water,” he said. “Three of my children have suffered from dengue fever due to this stagnant water in front of my house for a very long time.” Awadh Al-Muttairi, another resident, said officials know about the pools of stagnant water. “The head of Umm Al-Salam Municipality visited the district and personally saw the rising groundwater problem,” Al-Muttairi said. “Despite that, they have not found a suitable solution. Water is still flowing in different parts of the district.” Muhammad Attiyah, who also lives in the district, said the problem has been made worse by actions some citizens have taken to protect their homes. “We have been harmed a lot due to this groundwater, especially after many of the citizens have set up dykes to prevent the water reaching their homes,” he said. “That water has collected in a large stagnant pool in front of my house.” “The groundwater problem has forced me to shift my family to my father-in-law's house because I had fears my children would contract dengue fever,” Attiyah added.
