The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering providing a sovereign loan of up to $54 million to the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ). The loan aims to finance the rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of the Shalala wastewater treatment plant in Irbid.
اضافة اعلان
According to a project document published by the bank, the total cost of the project is approximately $67.4 million, with expectations of co-financing via an investment grant from other donor partners.
The document explained that the current Shalala plant is under significant pressure due to rapid population growth, increased wastewater volumes, and aging infrastructure. This has led to a decline in treatment efficiency and an inability to consistently comply with Jordanian standards for water discharge and reuse, particularly during peak periods.
According to the document, the project aims to rehabilitate and expand the plant to raise its capacity to an average treatment rate of approximately 30,500 cubic meters per day. This will meet the projected wastewater flows up to the year 2050, while restoring compliance with national standards, improving treatment reliability, and enhancing climate change resilience.
The study indicated that the project will enable the safe reuse of treated water for irrigation, contributing to environmental protection and supporting Jordan's long-term water security goals. It will also reduce pollution levels and improve treatment performance during high-flow periods in a highly water-scarce region.
The document also noted that the project will contribute to enhancing energy efficiency and mitigating the effects of climate change by enabling biogas capture and utilization, thereby reducing net greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the bank, the project falls within the municipal infrastructure sector and has been classified under environmental category "B". The rehabilitation and expansion works will be carried out within the boundaries of the existing plant without the need for additional land acquisition.
The document added that the project will increase the plant's total capacity by approximately 80,000 population equivalent (PE), reaching a total of about 240,000 PE, with environmental and social impacts expected to be "site-specific, temporary, and mitigable."
The study further stated that the EBRD will provide technical support both before and after the signing of the agreement. This support will include technical, environmental, and social studies, as well as the monitoring of tenders and implementation, in addition to supporting Yarmouk Water Company in monitoring water infrastructure performance using key performance indicators (KPIs).
Al-Mamlaka
