Amman, Feb. 24 (Petra)-Ministry of Water and Irrigation/Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with BORDA (Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association) to design and build a sewage treatment plant in Azraq area, with funding from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) at a cost of JD3.63 million.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Water and Irrigation, Mohammed Najjar, said the memorandum comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to preserve Azraq Oasis groundwater, improve the area's environmental situation, find innovative solutions to reuse treated water and serve a number of regions with sanitation services, according to the highest international standards.
Najjar noted the ministry’s strategy is based on raising efficiency of sewage services, improving quality of treated water countrywide, and providing new, non-traditional water sources, as a "strategic" option to achieve water and food security, in line with Royal directives and government plans aimed at increasing the agricultural area in all the Kingdom's regions.
For his part, the WAJ Secretary-General, Bashar Bataineh, who signed the MoU, said establishment of a wastewater treatment plant in Azraq area, which depends on wetland technology, will provide additional quantities of treated water in Azraq region.
The facility will receive tankers according to the highest levels with a capacity of 250 cubic meters per day as a first stage, to reach 1450 cubic meters daily to serve 20,000 people, Bataineh noted.
Bataineh pointed out that the facility's water will be used to irrigate various crops and provide the same quantities used for drinking purposes, highlighting its role in creating job opportunities for the region's people during the implementation and operation phase.
Bataineh underlined the facility's importance in preserving groundwater, protecting Azraq basin from the danger of pollution and reducing environmental risks, as innovative agricultural projects will be implemented, as well as increasing the irrigated green lands, according to Jordanian standards for treated water, which have been developed.
Valuing the Jordanian-European partnership, he noted the government seeks with all its capabilities to implement it with partners, especially SDC and BORDA.
This effort, he said, will improve the citizens' living standard and provide "pioneering" development opportunities, especially in remote and underprivileged areas.
In turn, BORDA Regional Director, Abdulrasul Kayumov, who signed the MoU, noted the gap in the demand and supply of water resources prompts the supporting organizations to work "intensively" with Jordan's relevant institutions to support new projects and opportunities in the water and sanitation sectors to raise level and efficiency of the water services.
Kayumov expressed satisfaction with all aspects of joint cooperation, which will continue by providing support to Jordan's water sector to overcome various water challenges.
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