The General Establishment for Drinking Water and Sanitation in Damascus revealed on Sunday that water pollution has led to the poisoning of more than 1,200 residents in the Najha, Khirbet al-Ward and the police housing complex in the capital’s countryside.
In a statement on Sunday, it said private cars were filling water containers from a polluted private wellspring that is not licensed by the establishment. The polluted water was then sold to residents in those areas, causing the poisoning.
The Establishment said it took sample of water from the wellspring and analyzed it, and later found it was polluted.
“The wellspring was permanently closed. Samples were also taken from the water reaching the water networks in Najha, to ensure its safety,” it added.
The Establishment had previously announced that maintenance work was being carried out on the main water lines feeding the city of Damascus, which necessitated cutting off water to the capital on Sunday and Monday.
Syria has been suffering from major water crises for years.
In the Damascus countryside, the majority of cities and towns have suffered from water cuts for several days and even weeks, forcing the residents to rely on water tankers, which are filled from unknown sources, and sold at high prices.
The price of a barrel of water ranges between 2,000 and 4,000 Syrian pounds, and may reach 8,000 in days of severe heat and high demand.
A Syrian family needs at least 40,000 liters of drinking water per week.
