KUWAIT: Water supplies in local schools are safe and are not contaminated, authorities announced yesterday. Three government agencies - Environment Public Authority (EPA), Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) and Ministry of Health (MOH) - issued a joint statement affirming that Kuwait's "water supplies are safe and of good quality," said engineer Mohammed Al-Enezi, EPA deputy director for technical affairs during a press conference held at EPA headquarters. Al-Enezi explained that contaminated water allegations first made by a citizen on his social media are groundless.

Water samples

"We periodically take and test water samples," he explained, noting that all other bodies take and analyze samples as well and transparently declare results. He also noted that the EPA had invited the citizen who made the allegations to offer evidence of his claims. The man did not respond to the invitation.

Dr Meshaan Al-Otaibi from the MEW said that Kuwait follows standard procedures to make sure that water supplies are safe. Otaibi noted that water quality in Kuwait is one of the best worldwide and that 400 samples are taken monthly from 500 sites to be examined and make sure the water pumped to consumers was bacteria-free.

"MEW also used neutral international labs such as those of the World Health Organization to verify the results from our labs," he explained.

"We investigated the matter and proved those claims wrong," said Dr Majida Al-Qattan, Health Minsitry undersecretary for general health affairs. Al-Qattan noted that the same rumors were shared on social media last year as well.

Lawmaker hospitalized

In other news, MP Khaled Al-Otaibi was rushed to the chest diseases hospital yesterday due to pulmonary embolism, his brother posted on his Twitter account.

Sentence overruled

Separately, the court of appeal yesterday suspended a previous verdict which sentenced two female citizens who worked for Ministry of Utilities (formerly Ministry of Communications) to seven years in prison with hard labor and dismissal from their jobs for embezzling KD 520,000. The court also ordered the defendants' release, banned them from travelling and postponed the hearing of the case until further witnesses are summoned.

By Meshaal Al-Enezi