• Home

Sharjah residents worry over daily water shortage

SHARJAH — The frequent disruption of water supply in Sharjah, particularly at the beginning of summer, has begun to worry Sharjah residents. They feel that water supplied by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) is insufficient for their daily needs.

They also say that water shortage has become a major issue in the emirate, that is particularly felt in the industrial areas, Rolla, Al Mussala, Al Butaina and Abu Shagara. Sewa provides only three to four hours of water supply which is not enough to fill two medium-sized containers, they say.

The residents said that they were suffering without the basic necessity for over a month now. "Officials of Sewa promised residents an urgent solution whenever they call 992, but the problem has not been resolved yet," they point out.

Fadi, whose building is located in Al Mussala area opposite Rolla Park, said that water supply was short for the past five days.

"Water comes one hour a day which is insufficient. We buy bottled water to take bath and keep our houses clean, but for how long we can go on like that, paying extra for water which is a basic living necessity. We contacted Sewa several times but everytime they give us irresponsible answers such as they will do something to solve the problem soon. But no action had been taken by them so far," he complained.

Mohamed Khalifa said that the water is not being supplied properly to his building for around four days.

"We are buying bottled water for the household needs. I didn't take a bath for four days to save water for my children who need it more. I contacted 992 Sewa's emergency number, but the phone is ringing and there is no reply."

Kumar from Al Butaina area said that water was not supplied to their building for more than 10 days. All the tenants of the building located near Al Ameer bakery are suffering and depending on water bottles. "The landlord tried her best to get the water to the tenants, but she failed to solve the problem as Sewa officials were not cooperating with her," he alleged.

Sewa officials remained tightlipped on the issue and refused to comment to the Press regarding the main problem, the cause of water shortage and their efforts to resolve the problem. But a source at the authority as well as employees who answer the emergency number 992 keep repeating that Sewa was trying to address the problem as soon as possible. They also said that the problem was being resolved by providing the tenants with water tanks every day.

In other areas like Rolla, Mussalla and Abu Shagara, the water supply has not been completely disconnected and is being supplied to the tenants four hours a day, as Sewa is working on solving some fault in the main water plant which supplies water to these areas.

While tenants in buildings equipped with water meters need not worry about their water bills, other tenants of buildings where water consumption is billed as a lumpsum depending on the size of the flat and the number of rooms, expressed their worry that they will be charged for water which they have not consumed. “This adds salt to injuries, since we are already paying for the bottled water for our daily use and on top of that pay water bills. Sewa should look into this matter,” they urged.

• UAE