Pumping water to Amman, Madaba and Zarqa partially suspended for fourth day

AMMAN — Pumping water from several main resources to the capital, Madaba and Zarqa remained partially suspended for the fourth day in a row on Sunday due to increased turbidity levels, according to the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna).

Heavy rain across the country late last week raised water turbidity, reaching several treatment plants and wells, prompting Miyahuna to cease pumping as of Thursday, according to Miyahuna Operations Manager Ghazi Khalil.

“Pumping from all the resources supplying Madaba Governorate with water is still suspended; however, Zai Treatment Plant resumed pumping water as of Saturday evening, while the Zara-Maeen Water Treatment Plant is now operating at only 40 per cent of its capacity,” Khalil told The Jordan Times.

Thirty per cent of the capital’s water needs are provided by the Zara-Maeen plant, while the Zai Water Treatment Plant provides another 40 per cent of its drinking water.

Pumping from the two plants in addition to several other wells is suspended several times during winter when water becomes muddy.

The suspension of pumping since Thursday affected the water distribution programme in Amman, Zarqa and Madaba, according to Khalil.

Under the water distribution programme, households receive water once during a certain period, usually between 7-10 days on a rotating basis. 

Scarce water resources in the country compelled the Kingdom to initiate the programme in the early 1980s to conserve limited resources whilst ensuring a sustainable supply of water.

“Pumping to subscribers will resume when water becomes in line with standards,” Khalil noted.

Miyahuna has 30,000 subscribers in Madaba, 150,000 subscribers in Zarqa and 600,000 subscribers in Amman.