The statement made by Minister of Water Raed Abu Al-Saud regarding the inclusion of “air” in water bills shocked the public—not only because of the unusual boldness in revealing it, but also because it exposed a technical, and perhaps administrative, flaw that could have remained concealed had the minister not chosen to disclose it.
اضافة اعلان
Abu Al-Saud explained that some water meters, especially after long pumping interruptions, were recording air in the pipes as though it were consumed water. This means that citizens were effectively paying for “nothing.” He went further, suggesting a simple solution to the problem: installing an “air release valve” in front of the meter, at a cost not exceeding four dinars, to discharge the air and prevent it from being counted. He said he personally tested this in his own home and noticed a significant difference in the bill—an initiative that counts in his favor.
But the issue has gone beyond a mere technical matter. What the minister revealed opens the door to broader questions: if “air” is being billed as water, then are there other hidden charges included in other bills without our knowledge? Do electricity, telecommunications, municipal fees, or traffic fines contain undisclosed items? And does the citizen really know what they are paying for?
What raises concern is that many government-issued bills are presented to citizens without sufficient breakdowns: a cluster of figures, fixed fees, and variable charges, but without clear explanations of each item or the service it represents. This creates a perception among citizens that they are not only paying for what they consume but are also burdened with other costs unrelated to the service.
In principle, government bills must be transparent, comprehensible, and verifiable. A citizen should not need an accountant or a legal expert to understand a water or electricity bill, or licensing fees. If there are subsidies or operational costs, they should be disclosed clearly, not hidden under vague terms.
More dangerous than the financial impact is the erosion of trust. When citizens feel they are being billed without clarity, or that what they pay does not reflect their actual consumption, trust in state institutions deteriorates—even if these institutions are efficient in some areas of service.
Therefore, such statements should not pass unnoticed. They represent a rare opportunity to reconsider the entire public billing system. Parliament, the Audit Bureau, oversight bodies, and even the media bear responsibility to unpack this issue and present it transparently to the public. This is not just about the Ministry of Water; it must extend to all service sectors that issue recurring bills to citizens.
What Abu Al-Saud said may only be the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps there are other “air meters” of a similar nature, or even “air bills” we are unknowingly paying. Unless there is a genuine review and honest disclosure, this is indeed a looming catastrophe.
