Amman:The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) is actively working on enhancing water resources and expanding water harvesting projects, as revealed by JVA Secretary General Hisham Haisa during a dialogue session at the Government Communication Forum. The session was attended by media representatives and Government Communication Ministry Secretary General Zaid Nawaiseh. Haisa highlighted that the authority currently manages 16 main dams with a design capacity of up to 365 million cubic meters.
According to Jordan News Agency, Haisa emphasized the JVA's commitment to developing the Jordan Valley economically and socially. The authority also aims to protect and optimize water sources for various uses, including agriculture, household, municipal needs, industry, and electricity generation. He noted that the King's Speech from the Throne serves as a guiding framework for water sector projects, particularly those focused on water harvesting and collection.
Haisa outlined that Jordan possesses 650 water harvesting sites, such as earth pits and agricultural ponds, with a collective storage capacity of 150 million cubic meters. These sites support livestock breeders in the Badia regions and contribute to climate improvement. Additionally, the JVA is working on new dams, with the Nukheila Dam nearing completion and a study underway for the Telal Al-Thahab Dam.
The JVA is exploring innovative solutions, including subsurface dams, with feasibility studies indicating potential for a dam in Wadi Al-Rayan. This project is moving towards the design phase to eventually construct the first subsurface dam to aid groundwater recharge. Haisa also mentioned the use of artificial intelligence to manage farmland in North Shouneh, enabling farmers to access data on water needs, evaporation rates, and optimal crops.
Further, legislative amendments and the introduction of an investment window have facilitated projects across sectors. In Wadi Araba, the JVA has fostered an investment-friendly environment, leading to the establishment of large agricultural projects and expanding cultivated areas by about 7,000 dunums in partnership with the private sector.
Nawaiseh reiterated King Abdullah II's emphasis on water as a national priority, stressing the Royal directives to enhance water security and ensure resource sustainability. He highlighted the importance of innovative projects and nonconventional sources in the Jordan Valley to boost the agricultural and economic sectors. Nawaiseh also underscored the media's role in raising public awareness about optimal water use and resource protection.