Official Data Reveals Fecal Contamination Threatening Ibb Governorate Water Basin

Official documentation reviewed by news agencies confirms severe microbiological and fecal contamination within the primary water basin supplying the Yemeni city of Ibb, indicating direct mixing of drinking water with sewage, posing an imminent public health catastrophe.

Ibb Governorate, historically recognized for its abundant fresh water resources derived from deep aquifers supporting both consumption and agriculture, is now facing a critical environmental breakdown. Recent technical reports, obtained by this publication, reveal alarming laboratory results from seven water samples drawn from the main water basin supplying the city.

The findings indicate total microbiological contamination across all seven samples. More critically, six of these samples tested positive for fecal coliform bacteria, a definitive scientific indicator of sewage intrusion into the potable water supply. Chemical analysis further revealed elevated phosphate levels at 1.59 mg/L, surpassing natural limits, alongside increased concentrations of iron and dissolved solids, suggesting long-term health hazards from daily consumption.

Official documents point to the structural failure of the sewage treatment plant, which is operating far beyond its designed capacity. This overload results in the discharge of inadequately or untreated wastewater into the main liquid channel (Al-Sa’ila), which subsequently infiltrates agricultural lands and the underlying aquifer. Technical sources assert that this persistent failure, without infrastructure upgrades, transforms the facility from an environmental safeguard into a direct source of pollution.

In parallel with the technical evidence, residents of the Dar Al-Alfi district, situated near the Al-Sa’ila channel, have lodged formal complaints accusing the Water and Sanitation Corporation of causing elevated rates of serious illnesses, including reported increases in cancer and respiratory problems, due to the untreated effluent discharge. Residents allege that this contaminated water seeps into local reservoirs and wells that feed the city, and is also used by some farmers for irrigation.

Hydrological maps appended to the official report delineate that the affected wells supply extensive urban districts, confirming that the contamination pathway allows sewage to gradually infiltrate the groundwater layers, thereby jeopardizing the entire basin. Experts warn that the persistence of this condition risks permanent degradation of groundwater quality, necessitating potentially years of costly remediation, if recovery is even feasible.

The technical report explicitly identifies raw sewage as the source of contamination, placing direct legal and ethical responsibility on the relevant authorities in Ibb. Citizens are demanding the immediate formation of an independent investigative committee, transparent and regular water testing with public disclosure of results, and urgent measures to halt all untreated sewage discharge.