Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Al-Saud, announced that the total value of funded, ongoing, and planned projects in Jordan's water sector has reached JD 2.4 billion, including 29 projects currently under implementation. These initiatives aim to significantly enhance the level of water services provided to citizens across the Kingdom.
According to Jordan News Agency, Abu Al-Saud, speaking at a meeting organized by the Jordan Strategy Forum in Amman, addressed the major challenges facing Jordan's water sector. He noted that the per capita share of water has fallen to less than 60 cubic meters annually for all uses. Securing sustainable water sources, such as through the National Water Carrier Project, remains a top priority, with substantial progress made on the technical, financial, and legal details required for financial closure.
The Minister highlighted that despite last summer's challenges, the ministry successfully maintained water supply for citizens, agriculture, and industry amid declining available resources. The ministry continues to implement its strategic plan in line with the Economic Modernization Vision, approving 12 new water policies to ensure citizens' needs are met across all sectors.
Jordan exceeded its target for reducing water loss, achieving a 6.7% reduction in recent months through systematic programs and modern technologies. Current water loss stands at 45.6%, with ongoing efforts to lower it further and curb water thefts, which has already improved water supply in many areas.
Financially, the sector has cut annual operational and maintenance costs by around JD 150 million and saved an additional JD 14 million in energy costs through the use of renewable and alternative energy sources. Reliance on non-traditional water sources has increased by 16.8%, reaching 200 million cubic meters annually of treated wastewater, with plans to raise this to 250 million cubic meters.
Abu Al-Saud underscored the ministry's focus on innovation and advanced technologies to improve efficiency in industrial and agricultural water use. The operation of a new industrial wastewater treatment plant enables 100% reuse of treated water, with plans to replicate this model across other industrial sectors.
Additionally, the ministry is expanding digital transformation and AI applications, having launched a new water services mobile application to provide citizens with a range of online services. Studies are also ongoing to construct new dams, alongside cleaning, maintaining, and expanding existing ones, with Jordan currently having 420 earthen dams and ponds with a combined capacity of 200 million cubic meters.
Sharif Fares Sharaf, Chairperson of the Jordan Strategy Forum, emphasized the severe water challenges facing Jordan amid ongoing social and economic shifts, describing water as an existential issue that requires collective national efforts and creative solutions. Meanwhile, the Forum's Executive Director, Nesreen Barakat, highlighted the widening gap between water supply and demand, noting that Jordan's per capita water share is among the lowest globally, based on recent international reports.