Sharjah shuts down water desalination units on safety concerns

The operations were suspended due to algal blooming off the emirate's coastal area.

SHARJAH // Water desalination units in Sharjah have had their operations suspended due to algal blooming off the emirate's coastal area.

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) suspended the operation of the water desalination units in Kalba on Thursday, according to state news agency, Wam.

The director of the Eastern Region at SEWA, Ahmed Mohammed Al Mulla, said the shutdown was to ensure the safety of residents and nationals from the algal blooming, commonly known as the red tide phenomenon.

SEWA has asked consumers to cooperate and ration water consumption, according to Wam.

Mr Al Mulla stressed that SEWA is monitoring the situation closely and is analysing seawater samples to ensure conformity to standards.

The units will resume operations once the effect of red tide on the area's seawater has vanished, he said.

Red tide is when large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, called dinoflagellates, turn the water into a red or brown colour.