Water loss in Jordan is 50%, solutions are still hostage to government mind

Al -Anbat - Sally Sbehat 

Translated by:Lima Zeitawi 

Jordan is struggling to find long-term solutions to the water scarcity crisis, especially as it is considered one of the most water-poor countries, according to the Global Water Index, while studies and forecasts indicate low rainfall rates and high temperatures due to the effects of climate change.

According to the website of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan exploits the available water resources as a pest, where the per capita share consumed for domestic purposes ranges between 80-120 liters per capita depending on the Governorate, and the per capita share per year for all uses is less than 100 m3, which is equivalent to less than 10% of the global poverty line.

The media spokesman of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Omar Salama, said: The ministry is publishing continuous awareness campaigns and bulletins throughout the Kingdom to educate citizens about the seriousness of the water crisis situation, raise the efficiency of use and achieve the necessary standards for water conservation, by publishing these campaigns in schools, universities and mosques.

He added to Al-Anbat that there are large quantities of water lost and not well used, and many are also illegally benefited from by citizens, pointing out that the rate of water loss in Jordan reached about 50%, repeating the reason for this leakage in many networks, and the exposure of water lines to attacks as well as errors that occur in the meters themselves.

In fact, although the Ministry of Water and Irrigation is spreading its awareness campaigns to citizens, the problem is still worsening and its negative effects are visible, according to experts and specialists.

They attributed the causes of the problem of water scarcity and the challenges facing the sector to the increase in population growth, industrial and agricultural activities, and hosting large numbers of refugees, which led to pressure on water sources, adding that long-term groundwater monitoring of the Kingdom's main aquifers indicates a decrease in water levels with an annual decline in some aquifers.

They pointed out that the culture of citizens in conserving water and reducing water waste is one of the most important factors to reduce the percentage of water losses in Jordan, calling for the preparation of plans and the establishment of projects, strategies and awareness campaigns for citizens in various regions of the Kingdom to reduce the process of water waste.

Increasing the demand for water to meet the requirements of economic development in light of the limited water resources exacerbates the problem of water supply, and reduces the per capita share unless the matter is addressed through the development of non-conventional water sources, raising the efficiency of water use and awareness campaigns, and this is what is currently required by the government.