Medical experts and academics have warned against drinking tap water which they say may have become mixed with rainwater and sewage after the storm that hit Jeddah Wednesday.
“The environment in Jeddah has become polluted after Wednesday’s heavy rains,”
said Abdul Rahman Kammas from the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment.
“That has been exacerbated by the spread of garbage and liquid waste, all of which constitutes a source of environmental pollution.”
According to Kammas, the most significant forms of water pollution occur when clean water stored beneath the ground gets mixed with rainwater and sewage.
“This poses a considerable threat should it be used for human consumption,” he said. “Bottled water should be used, and this is particularly important for the people of south Jeddah who rely the most on tap water for drinking.”
Professor of Environment at King Abdul Aziz University Ali Ashaqi said that the current environmental situation in the city is ripe for the breeding of mosquitoes and insects.
“This is a situation that occurs after repeated waves of rain and gets worse when the other factors are favorable like the accumulation of water and the build-up of areas of stagnant water and polluted pools,” Ashaqi said. “Mosquito breeding grounds pose the threat of Dengue fever, so families should take every precaution and use insecticide in the house, as well as refrain from using tap water for drinking.
They should also not let their children play in or near areas of water.”
Muhammad Halwani of Jeddah Health Affairs said that the build-up of water in public streets brings the threat of a variety of illnesses.
“Unfortunately we see children playing in areas of stagnant water, completely ignorant of the illnesses they might contract, illnesses which are difficult to cure and the symptoms of which may stay with them for the rest of their lives,” he said. “Their hands come into contact with dirty water, and then that might be transferred to the eyes and mouth, all of which increases the chance of contracting illness.”
He said that such areas of water often also contain discarded garbage and animal feces.
“Those are factors which increase the chance of the presence of parasites and worms which can lead to complicated stomach illnesses that are difficult to diagnose early as the symptoms take time to show, often up to several weeks,” he said, citing bilharzia, cholera, intestinal illnesses, bacteria and viruses, such as those that cause inflammation of the liver and the polio virus.
Nasser Al-Deen Al-Shareef, a consultant pediatrician, said that skin complaints and constant itching as well as Dengue fever and malaria can result from playing in such areas of water.
“All residential areas need to be sprayed, and garbage needs to be properly disposed of otherwise it will attract cats and rats and insects,” he said.
MUHAMMAD DAWOUD
Saudi Gazette