Irregular water supply in some Sharjah areas

A resident said several complaints have been lodged with the landlord but no action has been taken.

"The building watchman informed us that there is a problem with the Sewa (Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority) supply pipes to the building's underground water tank. Suction pumps have been fitted to pump water from the underground water tank and supply to the apartments of the nine-storey building. Yet, water barely trickles through the taps located on the lower floors, while the higher floors are left completely and dry," he pointed out.

Another resident, expressing helplessness, said how long should he be buying five-litre water cans for household use. "We have been living in this building for a few years, but it is for the last one month that the residents have been facing such a severe water problem," he said. Despite a Sewa office being located within the building, the authorities seem to ignore the problem, he added.

He complained that the residents continue to receive water bills despite the erratic water supply. "We are billed randomly since there is no meter in the building recording the actual consumption of water and electricity of each tenant," he said.

An adjoining building on the Mina Road (Near Sharjah Cinema) also faces a similar water problem.

"There are three to four buildings in a row facing irregular or scant water supply," a resident of the adjoining building complained, alleging that the authorities have turned a deaf ear on the issue.

"But, we cannot continue to live like this for long," she said, pointing out that the landlords are taking undue advantage of the tenants who are finding difficulty in getting alternative accommodation in the same locality due to the shortage of affordable apartments in Sharjah.

Left with no option to move out, the residents expressed the hope that the local authorities would look into the problem and address their problems.

An official of Sewa, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that Sewa has nothing to do with the irregular and insufficient water supply at these buildings. The problem should be raised with the landlords as there might be a problem in the water tanks or in the pipelines.

"Sewa is only committed to ensure that the necessary service including gas, electricity and water are rendered to all the buildings in Sharjah and we have nothing to do with internal problems suffered by one or more buildings. The buildings located near the Sharjah Cinema are connected to Al Leya Water Station."

The official said: "No complaints in this regard were submitted to Sewa and in case any complaint had been lodged, we would have referred it immediately to the landlord of the buildings suffering from inadequate water supply."

The official added that the Gas Directorate is located at a building near Sharjah Cinema. "How can we locate one of Sewa's affiliates in a building supplied with inadequate water supply?" he pointed out.