A state of terror prevailed among citizens in Alexandria Tuesday after rumors circulated about the contamination of drinking water in the governorate, due an oil leak in the Mahmoudiya water channel.
The Health Department in Alexandria issued a statement denying the rumors, saying tests have been conducted on the drinking water at many water stations in Alexandria.
Undersecretary of the Health Ministry in Alexandria Magdy Hegazy said the Health Department immediately took water samples for analysis after an explosion in three gas lines reportedly polluted the Mahmoudiya water channel. The Mansheya 2 drinking water station has been shut down until an analysis of the water proves it is safe.
Over 380 water samples from different stations in the governorate have been tested, Hegazy said. He added the ministry will conduct the tests again to make sure the water is completely safe.
Head of the Alexandria drinking water company Ahmed Gaber said 10 drinking water stations in the governorate are working at full capacity, with the exception of Mansheya 2 station, which was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
A bomb in the gas and oil lines which pass through the Mahmoudiya channel led to a gas leak in the water that feeds six water stations in Alexandria and Beheira, according to a security source.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
