Aqaba: The Ministry of Water and Irrigation's Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) has successfully dismantled three major water thefts targeting main pipelines in the city of Aqaba. This initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at eliminating illegal water connections and is being conducted in collaboration with the Aqaba Water Company and other relevant authorities.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry's recent crackdown revealed sophisticated setups designed to illegally divert water over long distances to large-capacity tankers. These stolen water supplies were subsequently sold to major factories, hotels, companies, and industrial sites throughout Aqaba, violating existing laws and regulations. The campaign's efforts intensified following the discovery of these violations on Tuesday.
During the ongoing operation, authorities detected two additional thefts involving pipes with diameters ranging from 1 to 2 inches. These pipes were used to fill tanks with a combined capacity of 1,350 cubic meters. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 29 pumps used for the illicit sale of water to various establishments, including factories, hotels, industrial sites, and car washes.
The ministry confirmed that all illegal water mains were disconnected, and the encroachments were removed. Official reports have been filed and forwarded to the Public Prosecutor, who is actively pursuing the investigation to ensure all culprits are brought to justice.
The ministry extended its gratitude to the citizens, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Security Directorate, competent authorities in Aqaba, and the judicial system in the Southern Region for their invaluable support and cooperation in the successful execution of the campaign. It further emphasized that water thefts and encroachments on water resources are economic crimes that threaten national water security and the water quotas allocated to citizens.