Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 14, 1999
Water conference concludes with call for
supervision over water plants
By Ruba Saqr
AMMAN — The National Water Conference concluded its sessions on Monday with a call for greater governmental supervision over water treatment plants, saying that the contamination of the 1998 Zai Water Treatment Plant example should not be repeated.
A panel which inspects national water institutions and recourses was among the recommendations set by the conference.
NWC, organised by the Jordan Engineers Association, proposed rationing water consumption according to national priorities, saying that the agricultural sector, which consumes 70 per cent of the Kingdom's annual water amounts while producing a financial return of only five per cent, has to be revised and supervised.
Jordan's rights in river and underground waters should be preserved by impartial treaties and agreements with neighbouring countries, the conference organisers said.
The conference also urged the government to take steps towards preserving traditional and non-traditional water resources.
“Water pollution should not continue... and recycling of grey and black waters should be implemented in factories and houses,” Ma'an Abu Afifeh said.
The conference also called for major amendments in the laws and regulations of the Water Authority and the Jordan Valley Authority.
Organisers and participants urged the government to issue a unified law on water and environment, saying that it is every citizen's right to secure clean and uncontaminated water.
“Social and economic justice should be preserved in the distribution of water so each citizen can secure a justifiable quantity and quality of water according to his (her) needs,” the paper of recommendations applied.
In closing, the water conference called for forming a central information centre and central laboratories that give “honest figures on water issues.”