Rooftop water tanks pose health risks

Residents should clean their rooftop water tanks regularly to prevent contamination that could result in them getting cancer, dengue fever, malaria, kidney failure or polio, a medical practitioner said here Wednesday.
Khalid Al-Faour, a health education consultant at the Jeddah health department, said residents should get oval or circular-shaped water tanks without corners.
The tanks should have an opening to allow for easy washing and a tight lid to prevent any insect or foreign body from falling into the water.
He said it was important for people to clean their tanks twice a year with a chloride solution. They should use a brush to scrub the inside, to remove any algae or other material. They should also check for cracks.
He said the state spends millions of riyals every year to desalinate and provide quality water to citizens and residents. The contamination of water takes place in these tanks, which the majority of people use for their daily needs, he said.
Al-Faour said residents should buy quality tanks. Metal tanks are not suitable for storing water because they are more likely to breed harmful germs, he said.
Jeddah residents told Arab News that the authorities should launch more awareness programs about the dangers posed by these tanks and ensure they are made of quality material.
Hassan Mahdi, a Jeddah resident, said most water tanks are made of metal and fiberglass. He said the water in these tanks are exposed to direct sunlight and mosquitoes. As a result, the water changes color and tastes different.
Hafthi Al-Shahri said he did not know that exposed water tanks are a health risk because the authorities have not conducted any awareness campaign. He said the authorities should also ensure that manufacturers produce quality tanks.
Bassam Akhdar, a member of the Jeddah Municipal Council, said exposed water tanks contribute to the spread of diseases. He said the Jeddah Municipality and the Ministry of Health should play a greater role in educating the public.
He said the Municipal Council does not have the expertise to monitor the production of water tanks.