Burst pipe leaves UAQ homes with no water

UMM AL QUWAIN // Dozens of homes have been left without water after the emirate's main pipeline broke.

Families have relied on daily deliveries from water-carrying tankers since the pipe burst on Tuesday, causing flooding along King Faisal Road.

Repair crews from the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa), which took control of water supply in UAQ in February 2011, were able to fix the broken pipe by yesterday.

However, many families living nearby are yet to be re-connected. Fewa has urged residents to ration their use of water while its engineers work in the area.

"We don't know for how long we shall be without water," said Abu Hamza, who lives in King Faisal Road. "We are buying the water from trucks and there will be a water bill from the authorities at the end of the month."

A study carried out last year by Fewa found that 85 per cent of UAQ's ageing pipe system needs work. The emirate requires 5.5 million gallons of water a day, and will need 13 million by 2030.

Residents face regular cuts to supply, with water being delivered by tanker at an additional cost when the taps run dry.

A Dh520 million, five-year plan to improve the water system and finally solve supply problems was announced last July.

ykakande@thenational.ae