Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud announced Tuesday that strategic initiatives implemented by the government have led to significant savings of JD114 million and the conservation of approximately 20 million cubic meters of potable water by 2024.
According to Jordan News Agency, Abu Saud emphasized that reducing water loss is a primary focus for the ministry. The introduction of a pioneering partnership with the local private sector has been instrumental, achieving a 7.5 percent reduction in water loss, surpassing the initial target of 2 percent over two years. The national water loss rate has now decreased to below 46 percent, with an average annual improvement rate of 3 percent.
The minister highlighted successful pilot projects in regions such as Aqaba and parts of Amman, where private sector participation has nearly reached international standards in reducing losses. Technical and administrative losses account for 30 percent and 70 percent, respectively, primarily due to unauthorized consumption.
To further support these efforts, the Water Sector Administration has implemented projects focused on optimizing supply and transitioning to continuous pumping through area-based management. These measures have reduced maintenance, energy, and operational costs while extending the network's life. The introduction of SCADA systems and smart meters has enabled real-time monitoring and quick detection of anomalies in household water usage.
Abu Saud also noted that improved coordination among government entities has significantly reduced attacks on water infrastructure. Legislative reforms and collaboration with the Judicial Council, along with support from the Ministry of Interior and Public Security Directorate, have been pivotal in enforcing regulations. Public awareness campaigns have also been effective in highlighting the severity of water violations.
In the year 2024, enforcement actions led to the confiscation of eight illegal drilling rigs and the removal of numerous violations, including 58 on treasury land in the Jordan Valley and 98 near the al-Khirbet al-Samra Station. Additionally, 109 illegal wells were sealed, 2,976 violations along the King Abdullah Canal were removed, and over 16,225 illegal connections were eliminated. A total of 103 cases were referred to the judiciary, enhancing water recovery and supply efficiency.
The ministry has further embraced smart technologies, such as a pilot AI-driven management project in Amman's Khalda area, which modernized networks across 110 kilometers in ten areas of the capital. This initiative now benefits 22 percent of subscribers in Amman, approximately one million citizens, leading to a 54 percent reduction in energy consumption and conserving 6.5 million cubic meters of water. A new fleet of leak detection vehicles has also been introduced to expedite responses to complaints.
Abu Saud mentioned that the cost of water production per cubic meter has decreased to JD1.93 in 2024, with the financial deficit per cubic meter reduced to 80 piasters. Monthly billing has improved citizen satisfaction, minimized waste, and enhanced compliance, with a 60 percent decline in billing disputes and a notable reduction in water waste at rooftops and street levels, thanks to increased public awareness and improved communication between service providers and consumers.