The Negev town of Arara has been largely without running water for three days, due to an unpaid municipal debt to the Mekorot Water Company.

According to Mekorot, the Arara Local Council owes NIS 321,000, and that limiting the supply of water to the Bedouin town was used as a last resort.

The National Council for the Child asked Interior Minister Roni Bar-On to intervene, after it was alerted to the situation by a resident of the town, who said the lack of water has placed the town's children in a dire situation.

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In a letter to the interior minister, the National Council for the Child wrote that while it is not aware of the details of the dispute between Arara and Mekorot, the issue is one which demands swift resolution.

According to Mekorot, "the company has no possibility of receiving payment from the council for the water consumed by its residents," and therefore the company has limited the water supply to the town. The company was added that the town was informed of the decision in advance, so that the residents would receive notice.

The local council was unavailable for comment.