KUWAIT CITY - The Minister of Electricity and Water Dr Bader Shibeeb Al-Shuraiaan has refuted rumors spread via SMS among residents in Shuaiba on Friday that the water of its electrical plant is polluted and not fit for human consumption, reports Awan daily. On his part, the Director of the Shuaiba station Eng Mohammed Al-Enezi backed the Minister's assurances saying the plant serves several factories in the area, and therefore receives constant attention to ensure that it functions efficiently. In a statement to the daily, Al-Enezi said the plant examines sea water every hour to check its level of pollution. In the event that the water is polluted, he said it is kept well away from the plant by sea waves. The engineer added the plant produces around 33 million empiric gallons of water on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, according to reliable sources, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry had asked authorities at the Ministry of Health to examine samples of mineral water bottled locally to confirm that the water is free from germs that cause harmful diseases like cholera. The sources said the samples included bottles of mineral water manufactured before the emergence of the pollution crisis. The sources added the Ministry of Commerce is in constant connection with the Ministry of Health to work towards taking the necessary measures to keep citizens and expatriates from coming into contact with polluted substances.
Initial laboratory results have shown that the bottled water is free from any germs that may be harmful to the human system. The results also did not reveal any traces of ammonia. The sources also said the Ministry plans to examine water samples from the supply circulated in the markets on a regular basis till the Ministry of Public Works announces that the Mishref sewage plant issue has been completely resolved. On the other hand, a team of divers sent to stop the flow of sewage water from the air conditioning and electric units of the Mishref sewage plant failed in its operation, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting reliable sources. According to the sources, the team will make a second attempt to block all main manholes with cement. The team also plans to create a diversionary route for the sewage water once it is successfully blocked.
© Arab Times 2009
