September 20, 2024

Report Highlights Progress in Water Sector Under Economic Modernization Vision

Amman: The first-half report of this year’s executive program for Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) 2023-2025 highlighted significant achievements in the water sector, alongside updates on various ongoing projects.

Key projects include increasing the strategic water reserve, with a collection tank constructed in the northern Jordan Valley, where the first phase of studies and designs has reached 56 percent completion. New wells were drilled in Mafraq, along with three production wells in “Disa,” to boost water supply to Aqaba and its investment projects.

The “Disa” line’s capacity to Aqaba has been enhanced, tenders have been issued and awarded to improve treated water supply to the southern regions, and an implementation agreement has been signed. The Salt Purification Station rehabilitation and expansion project has achieved 68 percent completion, while work on the Irbid Central Purification Stations and Wadi Al Arab has reached 63 percent completion.

Progress has also been made on water distr
ibution networks, including the transmission line from Tilal Dhahab to Pumping Station 95 in Karamah, and the restructuring of water networks in Mahes and Fuhais. The Ain Basha Water Emergency Project is 70 percent complete, and the water poster project for Rum village is 85 percent finished.

The report noted efforts to update the investment program, develop a tool for tracking water projects, and prioritize initiatives. Ongoing updates include the national plans for sanitation and water infrastructure, and comprehensive plans at the governorate level, which will serve as inputs for the investment program. A database and governance system for sector projects have been developed.

Efforts are underway to rehabilitate water networks across various regions to reduce technical losses, replace meters, and implement administrative measures to reduce non-revenue water, improving the financial solvency of the sector. This includes network rehabilitation in Irbid Governorate.

Energy efficiency projects, including th
e use of renewable energy, are also in progress to lower costs, improve financial sustainability, and reduce carbon emissions. Notable projects include the rehabilitation of the treated water pumping station in Aqaba, replacement of pumping and control units at the Khaw station in Zarqa, and the advancement of solar energy projects with advisory services completed and coordination with electricity companies for solar photovoltaic system installations at selected water stations.

Source: Jordan News Agency