AMMAN — A study on the impact of climate
change on underground water in an arid area in the Kingdom recommended the
implementation of water harvesting techniques to re-nourish the soil of plants,
maintain moist soil, and reuse the water in other locations, Al-Ghan News
reported.
اضافة اعلان
The study,
entitled the “impact of climate change on underground water in northern Wadi
Araba” was conducted by Duaa Al-Hamour of the National Agricultural Research
Center.
She said the study showed that the Wadi Arba area is
an environmentally important area, where agricultural investment is possible,
and therefore a thorough research on the impact of climate change on
groundwater recharge in the northern Wadi Araba was carried out under the
Ecosystem Services Valuation Project.
According to the study, Wadi Araba relies on two
main water sources, namely surface and underground. Both require planning and
management to maintain and sustain their different ecosystems. But both face
the challenge of deteriorating groundwater quality and levels due to overuse,
as well as insufficient rainfall, which negatively affect the agro-pastoral
system and the community’s economic growth. It also decreases productivity, and
ultimately reflects negatively on food security.
The research speculated on the impact of climate
change on groundwater recharge, using the water and soil assessment tool model,
geographic information system, technology and remote sensing, to achieve
sustainable groundwater management in the northern Wadi Araba basin.
Omar Salameh, a spokesperson for the Ministry of
Water and Irrigation, said the current water storage at the Kingdom’s dams is
estimated at 19 percent of their total capacity, according to local media
outlet.
On Thursday, Salameh pointed to the low quantity of
water available, especially in dams, during the past couple of years. He noted
that underground water also suffers from extensive use.
He outlined instructions for groundwater utilization
to provide additional supplies and support to farmers. Salameh stressed the
ministry’s endeavor to mitigate the burdens of farmers and provide them with
possible facilities.
“Through this measure, the ministry considered
providing water to farmers on concessional and different terms from those
applicable to industrial and productive wells,” according to Salameh.
He said no limit is required for the extraction of
water, especially in the Jordan Valley. He noted that the depth of the wells
should not exceed more than 150m, that each well must be allocated to 60
agricultural units, and that farmers could participate in the drilling of a
single well.
Salameh said farmers who wish to dig for underground water
must present a JD10,000 bank guarantee, which includes a JD1,750 non-refundable
license fee. He said the money is a deposit against any violations and also
proves the financial standing of the individual.
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