Councillors have unanimously approved an urgent request to preserve a historic natural spring in Samaheej.
Members of the Muharraq Municipal Council stressed the heritage value of ‘Ayn Aloudah’ (Aloudah Spring), located in Block 234 in the village, describing it as one of the island’s archaeological water sources.
They proposed that the issue be referred first to the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to prepare a detailed report on the number of historic springs recorded in the governorate.
The councillors also called for the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) to be engaged as the responsible entity to take charge of preserving and maintaining ‘Ayn Aloudah’ due to its cultural and historical significance.
Responding to the council’s proposal, Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak affirmed that the issue will now fall under the jurisdiction of Baca.
“This is an issue of national heritage,” he said.
“Ayn Aloudah and other springs in Samaheej represent a chapter of Bahrain’s past, and Baca will study the matter closely to ensure appropriate measures are taken to preserve what remains of these historic sites.”
The village of Samaheej was once known for its abundance of fresh water springs, with more than 60 recorded throughout its history. These included prominent names such as Rayyah, Nasr, Teena, Matar, Aloudah, Saifiyah and Sayoul.
“These springs were not only a source of drinking water and agriculture but also a social hub for swimming and laundry,” explained the council’s technical committee chairman and area councillor Fadhel Al Oud.
“They served the community in many ways. Women who worked in traditional laundry services, known as Tamteer, would come to the springs with water vessels to wash clothes and fill containers for household use.”
Due to their proximity to the coast, these springs often became slightly saline during periods of low water levels, especially with high consumption, as seawater would mix with the fresh water.
“Unfortunately, all of these springs have been lost to digging, land reclamation and urban development,” said Mr Al Oud.
“But ‘Ayn Aloudah’ still carries deep symbolic and historical meaning for the people of Samaheej. It is vital that we preserve it for future generations.”
The council’s services and public committee chairman Abdulqader Al Sayed echoed same sentiments, stressing the urgency of taking action before further deterioration occurs.
“Ayn Aloudah is one of the last remnants of our natural water heritage in Muharraq. Preserving it is not just about history — it’s about identity,” he said.
“We’ve made clear recommendations to involve the relevant authorities, and we hope this marks the beginning of a broader strategy to protect what’s left of our national springs,” he added.
“Baca needs to immediately evaluate the site and determine preservation protocols.”
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