Jordan Times
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Water Ministry mulls conservation methods
By Dina Al Wakeel
AMMAN — Rehabilitation of water networks, encouraging farmers to use modern irrigation methods, installing meters on wells and desalination are some of the Water Ministry's methods to conserve water.“The ministry is currently working on the rehabilitation of water networks throughout the Kingdom. We have finished working in cities like Irbid, Zarqa and Mafraq, and have floated 14 out of 15 tenders for renovating the network in Amman,” a ministry official, who preferred anonymity, told The Jordan Times on Monday.
Following the rehabilitation process which began in 1993 in some Jordanian cities, he said, there has been a greater decrease in the water loss. However, it is still high, at 54 per cent, due to the constant illegal usage of water resources.
“Meters will be installed on wells to monitor quantities of water consumption,” he added.
An amendment to the Water Authority Law that will help the ministry crack down on persons it has claimed to be illegally drawing about 250 million cubic metres (mcm) of water annually from the country's underground sources is expected to be endorsed by the Cabinet.
If endorsed, those found abusing water resources could be imprisoned.
Unlicensed wells are believed to be a major cause of Jordan's water depletion since they number at least half of the Kingdom's 1,600 wells. The overpumping of these wells is increasing, say officials and water experts.
According to the source, “farmers are being encouraged to use modern irrigation methods, like drip irrigation, and the planting of crops that do not require much water.”
“Instead of planting tomatoes all the time, farmers should consider growing popular vegetables and fruits that are in high demand and require less water like okra or strawberries,” he continued.
Regarding desalination, he noted that it is an important issue that the ministry is seriously considering.
“The ministry will float a tender for the desalination of the Zara-Maeen spring, at a cost of JD60 million,” said the official, adding that for the future, the ministry will also work on desalinating water from the Gulf of Aqaba.
According to experts, Jordan is considered one of the 10 most water-deprived countries in the world, where per capita water consumption is 170 cubic metres per annum compared to 1,000 cubic metres in other countries.
Speaking at a water conservation conference on Sunday, Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazim Nasser said “the fastest way to bring about water conservation is to make prices more realistic.”
According to the minister, consumers should pay a sum close to the actual cost of transporting water.
“The ministry pays JD1 for one cubic metre of water brought to citizens who pay half that amount. It is a big loss,” the source explained.
The minister said the water crisis is not limited to the paucity of this vital commodity, but is also exacerbated by the population growth.
“Jordan exceeds its renewable supplies by 130 per cent,” he said.
“The growing population is consuming more water, eating more food and putting a greater demand on the already stretched resources,” said Nasser.
“We have to work on all fronts simultaneously: Desalination, conservation, pollution control and family planning in order to succeed in providing a better future for our children,” added the minister.