2 towns cut off from water during heat wave

Mekorot, the National Water Company, cut off the water supply to two Druze towns on Mt. Carmel on Wednesday, one of the hottest days of the year. According to the company, the towns of Daliyat al-Karmel and Usafiya owe millions of shekels in unpaid fees.

"It's not easy to get by without water in this heat. A few have water reservoirs or wells near their houses, others just have to buy bottled mineral water," Daliyat al-Karmel resident Kamal Adwan told Ynet.

Samah Kayouif of Usafiya, a father of six, says the family had received no warning they were about to lose their water supply. "We woke up in the morning to find there was no water in the pipes. How do you shower? Shave? Go to the bathroom? Never mind just getting a drink. It's impossible to live like this, I had to go to work, but my wife took the kids and drove to her parents' because they have a rainwater reservoir.

"I'm a law abiding citizen, I pay the property and utility taxes like clockwork, there is no way they can cut me off like this. Water isn't like other services. You can live without electricity, but not without water. What are they waiting for? A baby to die of dehydration?"

Adwan, a former municipal council member, says the responsibility for the municipality's dire economic situation lies with the Interior Ministry. "For five years the local municipality operated under the eye of a (comptroller). And still, instead of the situation improving – we're just sinking. How is that possible?"

Water Co:

Mekorot said in response that Carmel City (the local municipality that united Daliyat al-Karmel and Usafiya, and was subsequently dissolved after six months) signed an 18-month payment plan to cover the debt. The deal was validated by the Haifa District Court. Mekorot, however, says that Carmel failed to honor it.

"The final payment date for water consumption for the month of May, which was over NIS 1 million (USD 253,000), was June 19th," the company said. "Having not upheld the commitment it made in court, the municipality was warned that unless the bill was paid by the end of June, 'Mekorot' would be forced to cut back the supply of water starting July 1st."

The company stressed that cutting a community off was a last resort option used only after repeated cautions had been delivered. "Mekorot deeply regrets the suffering caused to law abiding residents, but they would do better to take their complaints to the local municipality, which collects taxes for water consumption but doesn't pass them on to Mekorot."