Minister of Water and Irrigation, Eng. Raed Abu Saud, confirmed that the value of ongoing or planned water and sanitation projects currently stands at about JD 2.4 billion, stressing that the sector continues to pursue sustainable solutions to secure water for all uses.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Jordan Strategy Forum in Amman, attended by the forum’s chairman Sharif Fares Sharaf and a number of experts and officials, Abu Saud said the National Carrier Project is not merely a water security project, but a national security project that ensures the needs of future generations.
He noted that per capita water availability in Jordan has dropped to less than 60 cubic meters annually, making the search for sustainable water sources a top priority. He added that the ministry has finalized many technical, financial, and legal details related to the project’s financial closure.
Work is also underway with local banks and the Social Security Corporation to establish a national public shareholding company to help finance the project and commence implementation early next year in partnership with local and international sectors.
The minister highlighted that the ministry successfully overcame severe challenges during the past summer despite declining water supplies, by implementing a comprehensive strategic plan. This included adopting 12 new water policies aimed at enhancing water security and reducing losses, which fell by 6.7%, reaching 45.6%, with ongoing efforts to reach global benchmarks.
He further stated that the water sector has managed to cut annual financial losses by around JD 150 million in operating and maintenance costs, and saved an additional JD 14 million through renewable energy projects. Reliance on non-conventional water resources increased by 16.8%, reaching 200 million cubic meters annually of treated water, with a goal of reaching 250 million cubic meters.
Abu Saud also pointed to the expansion of cultivating 90,000 dunams in the Jordan Valley and Wadi Araba using saline water to produce high-quality dates, thereby supporting the national economy and creating job opportunities. He emphasized the use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence in water management and digital transformation, including the launch of a new water services application for citizens.
On dams and water harvesting, he mentioned that the ministry is conducting studies to establish new dams, in addition to cleaning and maintaining existing ones, along with the construction of 420 ponds and earthen dams with a storage capacity of 200 million cubic meters.
For his part, Forum Chairman Sharif Fares Sharaf stressed that water in Jordan is an existential issue that requires collective efforts and innovative solutions. Executive Director of the Forum, Nisreen Barakat, highlighted that the gap between demand and available water continues to widen, pointing out that Jordan faces one of the lowest per capita water shares in the world.
The session was moderated by Eng. Qusay Qutaishat and included broad discussions on major water projects and the importance of strengthening partnerships across sectors to support Jordan’s national water security.
