Arab News and Saudi Gazette offer two different looks at the annual water crisis that hits Jeddah during the summer months. Arab News gives an overview of the way people cope with the problem of obtaining drinking water. With limited municipal distribution, individuals and building managers arrange for the delivery of water in tankers from state vendors—or the black market—to fill rooftop cisterns.

As Temperatures Rise, Water Lines Grow
Hasan Hatrash, Arab News

JEDDAH, 10 June 2008 — The summertime in Jeddah means at least two things: summer vacation and water shortages. And as the temperature rises, the lines at the city’s main water distribution centers grow.

Yesterday hundreds of people were seen queued up in front of the Al-Aziziah and Guaizah water distribution plants. Water supplies have been cut in various districts around the city for the last five days. “I have been standing in this queue for more than seven hours and still I didn’t reach my turn in getting a water tanker,” said Salman Al-Harthi, a resident of Al-Aziziah district.
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Saudi Gazette reports on the complaints of people living in various parts of Jeddah who believe their water is being siphoned off to more prosperous areas of the city.

8 Jeddah districts go thirsty

JEDDAH – Residents of eight districts in Jeddah are grappling with an acute water crisis as this essential supply is being cut off by the Water Department.

Guwaizah, Al-Rughama, Al-Sawa’ed, Al-Sulaimaniyah, Al-Obaid, Al-Jam’a, Al-Mosa’ed and Al-Raya districts have fallen out of favor for the fifth month in a row. Their quotas have been diverted to water supply stations in Guwaizah and Kilo 14 while some districts are fortunate to have remained untouched.

“This is a travesty of justice” distraught residents told Al-Madina newspaper on Sunday. They also accuse Water Department officials of favoritism.

“We can live with a two-week or one-month water crisis consoling ourselves that the entire city is affected. From a religious point of view also one should favor others over ourselves but the situation has become untenable,” a group of residents said.
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