Saudi- Aziziah residents want streets cleared of overflowing sewage

(MENAFN- Arab News) Residents of Aziziah district in Jeddah are complaining about the sewage tankers which are illegally draining waste water into pipes still under construction leading to large scale overflowing of the contaminated water onto the streets leading to serious health risks.

Hassan Malik a resident of Aziziah district said: 'We are facing a serious problem due to sewage tankers emptying waste water into the newly built sewage line which has not become operational yet resulting in sewage overflowing from the main holes all over Aziziah especially near the Kababish restaurant opposite Amir Majed Street.'

He added that the drivers of sewage trucks were in violation of municipality regulations. 'They must empty the waste into the sewage plant outside the city precincts but are saving time and costs by just letting the contaminated water run all over the streets seriously endangering the health of residents. Malik further appealed to Arab News to highlight the issue and help the residents of Aziziah. He also urged the municipality to take punitive action against the drivers of the tankers for violating the rules.

Another resident of the neighborhood Khateeb Husain also requested Arab News to highlight the issue and help save people from the threat of an epidemic. 'The area around the Pakistani International School in Aziziah is full of sewage water and it is impossible to navigate the flooded streets' he said.

Contaminated water poses a serious health hazard and increases the risk of the spread of dengue fever. Stagnant pools of water are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other disease-bearing insects.

'We have been suffering from the foul odor emanating from these swamps and the danger posed by the breeding of disease-carrying insects. Moreover we fear our clothes getting dirty on our way to the mosque' said Sayed Kaleem. He added that he was especially concerned for his children's health amid fears of the spread of dengue fever due to the cool weather in Jeddah and the unresolved issue of sewage water flooding the area.