AMMAN — The World Bank has granted approval for $250 million
in financing to bolster the efficiency of water services in Jordan.
اضافة اعلان
This initiative will focus on rehabilitating water
distribution networks, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening the
drought management system in the country, the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
reported.
Water scarcity is a pressing issue in Jordan, making the
anticipated outcomes of this project both significant and wide-reaching.
By reducing water losses, decreasing electricity usage, and
enhancing water management systems, the project aims to deliver positive
impacts for both people and the environment.
Wide-spread benefit
An estimated 1.6 million individuals will benefit from
improved water services. Additionally, the project will fortify water system
management for farmers and industries, enhancing economic productivity and
bolstering the country's resilience to climate shocks.
The approved financing for the Jordan Water Sector
Efficiency Project includes a $200 million loan from the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and a $50 million grant from the Global
Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF).
Launched in 2016, the GCFF provides concessional financing
to middle-income countries hosting a significant number of refugees. This
project will specifically target areas with higher refugee populations,
providing benefits to both the refugees and the host community.
Water scarcity
Jordan faces severe water scarcity, impeding the country's
economic and human development. With only 97 cubic meters of available water
per capita per year, the water supply falls significantly below the absolute
water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic meters per capita per year.
Over the past decade, population growth and the influx of
refugees have strained water service delivery. Furthermore, the combination of
climate change and population growth is projected to reduce per capita water
resources availability by 30 percent by 2040.
The limited water availability in Jordan is compounded by
significant water losses, with over 50 percent of municipal water either
leaking from pipes or going unpaid by consumers, categorized as non-revenue
water (NRW).
Adopting a water strategy
To combat Jordan's water crisis and meet the escalating
water demand, the country is adopting comprehensive water supply and
demand-side actions along with efficiency measures.
The approved financing serves as the initial step in a
proposed series of projects aimed at supporting Jordan in addressing water
losses, promoting efficiency, improving service delivery, and enhancing the
financial sustainability of the water sector.
Jean-Christophe Carret, World Bank Country Director for the
Middle East Department, commended the proactive approach of the Jordanian
government in analyzing water scarcity challenges and formulating adaptive
response measures.
He stated that the new financing provides the necessary
support for investment and long-term programmatic approaches to mobilize
significant investments in infrastructure and institutional reform. This
approach will link planning with action to enhance the efficiency and
resilience of Jordan's water sector.
Key areas of the Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project
The Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project will focus on
three key areas. Firstly, it will strive for sustainable reduction of NRW by
rehabilitating water supply infrastructure, modernizing water supply systems,
and engaging customers and communities. Secondly, the project will enhance
energy efficiency and reduce energy supply costs.
Lastly, it will implement measures for water security and
drought management, serving as a foundation for improving efficiency and
adapting to climate change challenges in the water sector.
The Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project is fully aligned
with the government's Water Sector Strategy, adopted in March 2023, and the
Financial Sustainability Roadmap for the Water Sector, approved by the Cabinet
of Ministers in November 2022.
Furthermore, the project supports the implementation of key
recommendations from the Jordan Country Climate and Development Report,
emphasizing water sector efficiency, loss reduction, drought risk management,
promotion of water-energy nexus solutions, and water security.
Implementing measures to reduce water losses is projected to
save approximately 10 million cubic meters of water.
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