New projects to improve water supply in northern, central regions

AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has signed agreements worth over JD2 million to improve water supply in the northern and central regions, which host the majority of Syrian refugees, according to officials.

“New projects will be implemented in Jerash, Balqa, Ajloun and Irbid governorates to improve water and wastewater services… and meet the increasing demand for water in communities hosting tens of thousands of Syrian refugees,” Water Minister Hazem Nasser said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

The projects, which will be carried out by local contractors, entail extending new water pipes in Jerash Governorate at a cost of JD250,000 to improve water supply in the northern town, Nasser added.

“The project will be implemented in 90 days and should be ready by August,” he noted.

In addition, a local engineering company will carry out studies, and draw up blueprints and tender documents at a cost of JD102,000 for extending main and tertiary wastewater pipes in Balqa Governorate.

The third project entails the expansion, rehabilitation and renovation of water networks in Jerash and Ajloun at a cost of JD350,000, the minister said, noting that the project will be completed within two years.

The ministry will also extend new water pipes and carriers in Irbid at a cost of JD1.5 million, Nasser said.

The projects are part of the ministry’s “resilience plan” that seeks to address the exceptional surging demand for water in light of scant rainfall and the ongoing influx of Syrian refugees into the country, according to Omar Salameh, the ministry’s spokesperson.
The resilience plan proposes the implementation of new infrastructure projects in case Syrians continue to take refuge in the Kingdom over the next few years, according to the ministry.

“The projects are funded by the Gulf grant,” Salameh told The Jordan Times.

In 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council allocated $5 billion to finance development projects in Jordan during the 2012-2016 period.
The grant is divided between Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, with each country paying $1.25 billion.
A list of development projects was prepared by a committee, with some $425.40 million allocated for water and sanitation projects.