Truck driver held for water theft

AMMAN — Personnel of the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) have apprehended the driver of a water tanker in Karak’s Qatraneh district while allegedly stealing water from the Disi Water Conveyance Project.

In a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the WAJ said that upon a tip-off, its personnel apprehended the driver, who used to steal water from the pipeline at various times at night.

The authority organised a security campaign in cooperation with Karak’s governor and the administrative governor in Qatraneh to dismantle the illegal fixture and prepare a report, while the driver was referred to the prosecutor general.

In mid-October, authorities uncovered three alleged violations against the Disi Water Conveyance Project’s water supply pipeline, in which water was diverted from the carrier into water tankers. 

The violations were reported in the Qatraneh, Hassa, Damkhi and Suwaga areas.

Two three-inch pipelines and one two-inch pipeline were detected along the Disi, one of the Kingdom’s strategic water resources.

The ministry said the national campaign to end all forms of water theft and violation is “still ongoing”, urging the public to cooperate with authorities by reporting violations on water resources and networks.

Under the WAJ Law, those who abuse water carriers and mains, wastewater, pumping, purification and desalination stations, or pollute water resources, pipes or stations used for drinking water or are involved in the digging of wells without obtaining a licence will be jailed for up to five years and fined up to JD7,000. 

In addition, violators of WAJ water and wastewater projects can be jailed for up to three years and fined up to JD5,000.