‘Unidentified suspects fire at joint team investigating violation on water source’

AMMAN — Authorities are tracking suspects who fired at Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) employees while they were investigating a violation on a water source, a government official said on Sunday.

A joint team from WAJ, its central workshop directorate and a security patrol headed to Ramtha District late Thursday in response to a tip that a group of people were digging an illegal well at a private farm, the official told The Jordan Times on condition of anonymity.

“Before the joint team arrived at the site of the violation, a group of unidentified people started firing live shots at them. WAJ employees left upon instructions from the accompanying security patrol,” he added.

As the patrol summoned a security backup, the assailants escaped with their equipment and drilling rig, according to the official.

“Security forces have been searching the area since the incident and have determined the whereabouts of a number of suspects,” the official said.

Once they are arrested, the suspects will be referred to court for abusing the country’s water resources, which is categorised as an economic crime, he added.

Drilling wells in any part of the country is prohibited and the government no longer tolerates the practice, the official noted, stressing that the “serious crackdown” on water violations will continue across the country.

Under new amendments introduced to the WAJ Law, those who abuse water carriers and mains; wastewater, pumping, purification and desalination stations; or cause the pollution of 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. 

All penalties stipulated under the new law will be doubled in the case of repeat offenders, according to the Water Ministry.