Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Al-Saud said that Jordan’s dams are currently empty, with the exception of King Talal Dam, stressing that the Kingdom faces major challenges in the water sector and that large-scale projects such as the National Water Carrier are the solution.
اضافة اعلان
Fewer Complaints, Higher Bills
In remarks to the “60 Minutes” program on Jordan TV, Abu Al-Saud noted that water-related complaints, particularly regarding bills, have declined significantly. He explained that technical issues decrease when pumping is strong and continuous, but during dry periods problems increase, which raises bill values. He added that old meters needing maintenance are another cause, while new meters have proven more accurate in measurement—explaining the increase noticed by citizens in their bills. He confirmed that installation of new meters is still ongoing.
Pumping Issues and Proposed Solutions
Abu Al-Saud explained that when the water network is empty, it collects air before water reaches it, which affects meter readings. The Ministry advised citizens to install “air release valves” through water companies to prevent this issue and avoid violations.
Regarding the effectiveness of smart meters, he clarified that they are ineffective under the current weekly pumping schedule and will only become beneficial once the National Water Carrier project is completed, which will increase pumping days to four per week.
Water Costs and Tanker Oversight
The minister emphasized that water in Jordan, which relies heavily on groundwater, is not cheap since its extraction requires high energy costs. He defended the bills, stating they are not expensive compared to the scarcity and high cost of water.
He pointed out differences in tanker water prices due to distance-based costs, stressing the importance of purchasing water from licensed sources to avoid violations and ensure quality, as Jordan’s water is among the highest quality worldwide, matching Canadian standards.
Ministry’s Efforts to Face Challenges
Abu Al-Saud revealed several measures the ministry is implementing, including:
Combating violations: Water thieves have been referred to State Security Court, with 1,600 wells sealed since 2013 and 8,000 violations on water lines recorded this year.
Smart management: The ministry has begun applying AI in water distribution in the Khalda and Mahis areas, with plans to expand nationwide, which will eliminate the role of manual distributors.
Water relations: He highlighted positive relations with Syria, which resulted in halting the drilling of wells that were depleting Jordan’s water share.
The National Water Carrier … A Strategic Project for the Future
Abu Al-Saud described Jordan as the poorest country in the world in terms of water, but expressed optimism that the situation will improve with the National Water Carrier project, which enjoys strong Royal support and has attracted foreign investors. The project’s direct cost is estimated at 4 billion dinars, potentially rising to 6 billion with financing.
He explained that preliminary works, such as soil testing and route determination, have already begun, and the project is expected to be completed within three to three and a half years after closing the financing file. He emphasized that the project requires full governmental cooperation and expressed confidence in its success.
