Jordan: National Water Strategy 2008-2022 given Royal approval

King Abdullah of Jordan has given the go-ahead to his country's new water strategy, which will entail the completion of a series of megaprojects to meet Jordan's water needs. According to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the country currently produces 145 cubic metres of water per capita annually, some way below the international water poverty line of 1,000 cubic metres per capita.

The aims of the US$ 8.32 billion (€ 5.87 million) plan, entitled 'Water for Life: Jordan's Water Strategy 2008-2022', include providing sufficient and safe drinking water, maximising the benefits of surface water and ending arbitrary pumping from underground wells.

Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud said better water management is the answer to the water deficit. The new strategy will reduce reliance on underground water from 32 per cent to 17 per cent and increase the use of treated wastewater in agriculture from 10 per cent to 13 per cent. Dependence on water desalination projects will grow from 1 per cent to 31 per cent in 2022. The minister added that implementing the strategy requires effective institutional reforms and using water resources competently.

Related news: Jordan: ancient wells radioactive, US study finds, Source Weekly, 17 Mar 2009

Web sites: Water for Life: Jordan's Water Strategy 2008-2022

Source: Jordan Times, 13 May 2009

Keywords

• Middle East & North Africa
• Financing
• Policies & legislation
• Water resources management
• Water supply