AMMAN — The
Ministry of Water and
Irrigation on Thursday launched the 2023–2040 National Water Strategy to serve
as a long-term roadmap for achieving water security in Jordan, the Jordan News
Agency, Petra, reported.
اضافة اعلان
USAID Mission Director Sherry F. Carlin,
German Deputy Ambassador to Jordan Florian Reindel, a number of foreign
ambassadors to Amman, representatives of finance institutions and donors, as
well as water sector officials and stakeholders, attended the launch ceremony.
Deputizing for the prime minister,
Minister of Water and Irrigation Muhammad Al-Najjar explained that the strategy outlines
the government's goals and plans for the water sector in order to achieve water
security in accordance with His Majesty King Abdullah's instructions and vision
for developing a long-term strategy to address issues like water scarcity,
population growth, and climate change.
The strategy, the minister added,
emphasizes Jordan's need for new water supply sources and optimal management of
the country's current resources, as well as water security and sustainable
development.
Sources of waterJordan is in dire need of non-conventional sources
of water to boost sustainability and the national supply, according to Najjar.
The new
National Water Carrier project and a substantial rise in the practice
of wastewater treatment for reuse in agriculture are essential components of
these efforts.
Jordan is in dire need of non-conventional sources of water to boost sustainability and the national supply
The minister noted that the use of
nonconventional water sources has the potential to decrease a rising water
deficit, improve potable water supplies, and provide water for industrial,
agricultural, and tourism projects.
The minister also emphasized the need to
build an effective management system, tackle
climate change, and minimize
groundwater depletion in order to refill groundwater reservoirs and create
prudent water sector governance.
Reducing water lossThe national water strategy also aims to
reduce water losses by speeding up system modernization and network
replacement, and the search for sustainable water sources, the minister said.
By accelerating the response to network
leaks and switching to natural flow pumping, which will reduce energy and
maintenance costs while extending network lifetime, the recently updated water
loss reduction strategy aims to decrease losses by 2 percent annually to reach
the 25-percent target by 2040, he said.
The recently updated water loss reduction strategy aims to decrease losses by 2 percent annually to reach the 25-percent target by 2040
The strategy calls for the installation of
modern smart meters and control systems so that the public can monitor their
water consumption to rationalize use, providers can enhance service delivery,
and the authorities can firmly prevent unlawful usage.
The strategy's goal is to improve water
sector governance, management, and operation via institutional reforms that
streamline processes, save costs, and clarify roles and responsibilities, he
said.
Sector reformsAccording to Najjar, efforts are currently
underway to enhance usage efficiency, raise revenues, and recover costs across
all utilities in the
water sector in order to bring down the sector's soaring
deficit and boost service quality.
These reforms will improve water
institutions' financial standing, making it possible for them to fulfill their
commitments in line with the highest international standards and carry out the
required plans and programs, he added.
Strategy overviewIntegrated management of water resources,
sustainable water security, and the safeguarding and maintaining of ground and
surface water resources are the strategy’s key pillars.
In terms of technical steps, the government
aims to improve financial performance and sustainability, create a data system
that aids in decision making, and invest in innovation and technology.
Other goals of the strategy include
strengthening the water infrastructure, increasing the use of alternative water
sources, and broadening the scope of partnerships with public and private
organizations.
Integrated management of water resources, sustainable water security, and the safeguarding and maintaining of ground and surface water resources are the strategy’s key pillars.
The
USAID Mission Director underlined the
importance of the strategy and the US agency’s continued partnership with the
water sector to enhance resource management.
The German deputy ambassador described the
strategy as a "comprehensive document", highlighting the need for donors
to coordinate efforts to limit water challenges and boost investment.
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