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Dumping of sewage water raises a stink
AJMAN - The dumping of domestic sewage water in an open area in the Al Jarf district in Ajman by tankers, belonging to private sewage companies, has created stagnant pools impacting negatively on the environment and the health of residents close to the area.
It has become a breeding ground for flies, insects and mosquitoes, posing a health hazard. The stench emanating from the stagnant water being emptied here is more than what the residents of the Al Jarf district can bear.
Fatima Al Majid, a resident, told Khaleej Times that several complaints had been lodged with the municipality about the stagnant pools which are close to the residential areas in Al Jarf, but no action was taken by the civic body.
"This waste water is causing a bad stench all around. It's unhygienic and makes the area look unclean. It also affects the health of our children who are now suffering from different types of diseases," she said.
Hiba Al Hamri, another resident of Al Jarf, said that nobody seems to be very concerned about public health and the preservation of the environment here. A number of people are being affected by collection of dirty water that attracts all types of insects to the residential buildings and causes diseases to families staying there.
Mohammed Al Basha said that the site poses a hazard to public health as many people are being exposed to high levels of contamination and are suffering from the foul smell coming from this sewage water.
Speaking to Khaleej Times Dr Zain Al Abdeen Marzouq, Director of Water and Environment Institute of Ajman University of Science and Technology, said, "Domestic sewage refers to waste water that is discarded from households such as kitchen, bathrooms, showers, laundry and the sink. Eventually, it is a hazard to public health and environment."
He said that this sewage water attracts a lot of flies, mosquitoes, insects which play a great role in carrying diseases and transfer them from one person to another. He added that many infectious diseases like diarrhoea and viral hepatitis are associated with deterioration of environment, which is affected by the wastewater, which contain bacteria and microbes. "Outbreak of typhoid fever in many areas is also attributed to the deterioration of environment and public health" Dr Marzouq said.
He also pointed out that the sewage could seep under the earth and contaminate the ground water, which can be used for irrigation and other useful purposes. So, it spoils the soil and affects the agricultural projects in such area.
Dr Marzouq said that the only solution to this problem is to adopt the water treatment system, which will be soon offered by Ajman Sewerage Project. This project will enhance efficiency of the sewerage services by collecting the sewage through a piped sewer network, which will protect the health of the families and children who will no longer be exposed to the danger of bacteria leaking from the existing sewage water.
The treatment and recycling of wastewater will be available at large volumes to be used to help the landscape and beautify the emirate.
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