The significance of a 2 day water shortage at our housing area made me want to blog about water today. We experienced no/ intermitent water supply on Friday and Saturday (which was yesterday and the day before). Before this, we have had the same problem in mid February but only for 2 hours in morning session. Luckily last month, my children were still sleeping at that time and I was saved from any toilet emergencies.
The one that we experienced since last 2 days was quite bad. We even had to reschedule our Compound BBQ session from Friday to Saturday due to the failure pump at the water tank placed at ground floor of this building. (Will post some pictures of our BBQ session in another post). By the time water was available for about 30 mins each time, we had to really stock up our water reserves and perform the necessary water related chores. Alhamdulillah by yesterday evening, the water supply became normal again as the pump is fixed.
The experience reminds me of the occasional water shortage around Klang Valley caused by the Selangor Water Dam contamination and also due to drought due to hot season in Malaysia last year.
Fresh Water Supply in Saudi
Some basic info about water supply in Saudi. Since Saudi do not have any river, Saudi fresh water were mainly sourced from sea and also some underground water digging. The majority which was sourced from the sea has to be desalinated before it can be consumed.
There are a few water desalination companies that operates to provide clean water to the Saudi citizen. As the water is not clean, the water supplied to the houses are to be used for chores only. Tap water is not fit for drinking. Based on my neighbour's experience who had been here for more than 5 years, previously even water supplied to the houses is still salty and is 'hard water'. The housing water bill here is fixed and quite cheep whereby hubby payed a flat rate of 200Riyal per year for the supply of fresh water to our home.
Hot Water at home
Similar to any 4 season country. HOt water is vital here. There is a hot water boiler tank placed at each of our houses to heat up water. The heated water is channeled to sinks and washrooms for our usage.
Drinking Water in Saudi
Since it is 'Hard water' we have to purchase our drinking water bottles. For first 1 week and a half in Saudi, we have been drinking water bought from the groceries shop - Brand Nova. Hubby had to bring boxes of drinking water bottles 2 flights of stairs - pity him. But Thank you hubby.. muaah love you more cayang.
Initially we bought water bottles from the groceriy shops ike Panday hypermarket and hubby has to carry these bottles up 2 flights of stairs.
The provided 4 big bottles of drinking water ( 5 Gallons each) will be replenished every Wednesday morning. Once emptied we shall place the bottle outside our house door with coupons placed underneath. The company supplying the drinking water to our house is Spring Water. They even have a special delivery lorry (i have snapped the picture - will update once I found the picture later)
The 5 Gallon water bottles. We initially received 4 free bottles of water.
The coupon system
The delivery man that will come and replace our emptied bottles every Wednesday morning.
In Saudi, we have to buy our drinking water either from grocery shops or from water suppliers. The above is our water dispenser bought second hand from our fellow Malaysian who went back to Malaysia for good.
Feedback form for the drinking water supplier. Opss.....Now I know that the company for our water supplier which is Spring Water is Nestle Water. Erk what should I do? I boikot all Nestle product or any other Israeli based company due to their inhumane act. But how should my action be about this? Sigh..
Ok bye for now.
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