Balqa sanitation project moving forward ‘according to schedule’ — Water Ministry

AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation/the Water Authority on Sunday announced that the sanitation project in northern Balqa is moving ahead according to schedule.

The Balqa wastewater treatment plant project, implemented at a cost of 75 million euros, aims to establish a treatment plant with a capacity of 54,000 cubic metres, based on the Design, Build, Operate (DBO) method, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The ministry noted that funding for this initiative includes a loan of 60 million euros from the French Development Agency and a 15-million-euro grant from the EU.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to the project’s success. The project’s primary objective is to shut down the existing treatment plant in Balqa, which has posed environmental and social challenges as it has been operating at maximum capacity. The project will also shut down the Ain Al Basha pumping station.

The new treatment plant will serve over 60 newly developed residential areas across various parts of Balqa, projected to serve around 622,000 residents by 2040.

Acknowledging objections raised by some citizens regarding the chosen location of the treatment plant, the ministry assured that the project is ongoing and remains unaffected. 

Furthermore, the ministry extended the deadline for submitting bids for the construction of transmission lines leading to the new treatment plant until July 25. 

All interested parties are requested to submit their bids to the Water Authority, which is responsible for supervising the project's execution.

The ministry expressed its confidence that all necessary procedures will be completed before the end of the year, allowing the plan to begin the implementation phase.