Desalination plant remains shut, Fewa continues to provide water

Ras Al Khaimah: Ghaleelah water desalination plant which supplies water to residents of the northern parts of Ras Al Khaimah remains unoperational, one month after it was shut.

Supply from the plant - which was shut down following the toxic Red Tide - has been replaced by underground water pumped in houses and also to tankers that supply the precious commodity to northern areas of the emirate.

A senior official from Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) said that sea water treated at Ghaleelah water desalination plant has been polluted with bacteria and the remains of the dead fish, whereas the water has a nasty smell and taste.

He also said that the water has some red colouration, adding that the residents have been provided with their water needs from the underground water pipes.

The official stressed that Fewa could not leave the residents without water supplies, promising to use available options to overcome the water shortage in the northern areas of Ras Al Khaimah including Khor Khowair, Shaam, Ghaleelah and Al Jeer.

Certified safe

The official revealed that currently there are five water tankers - each carrying 10,000 gallons of water - roaming the areas 24 hours a day to supply the residents with the much needed commodity.

He added that these tankers also put water into the public reservoirs which feed the houses in the infected areas. "The houses which have tanks on rooftops may face a little disturbance in water supplies but those that have their reservoirs on the ground do not face any problems," said the official.

He explained that the conditions of the sea have been improving and that the water samples taken for testing at the labs are showing improvement, "but that can not be decided till we get stable positive results clearly showing the end of the toxic red tide."

He added that only then the Ghaleelah water desalination plant will be reopened.

The official stressed that there has been no scheduled time for the opening of the plant, saying that the problem lies with the sea water and that the plant will not be opened till the sea water is certified safe.

The Fewa official assured that till that time, the authority will continue to provide the residents of the northern areas of Ras Al Khaimah with their water needs and those who face any problem have been advised to report immediately to their nearest Water Emergency Section.

Plant shut down

In another development, the Public Health Department of the Municipality has shut down a plant that produces water cups as it was done under unhygienic conditions.

The owner was also ordered to pay a Dh1,000 fine.

Adel Al Deek, who heads the department, said the Municipality received several complaints against the plant. He said the inspectors confirmed the public complaints and found that the water cups ready for sale were not clean. He said unclean water found in the plant prompted the inspectors to examine the plant.