Jordan Strategy for the Collection, Treatment and Reuse of Wastwater

Abstract

Jordan is situated in an arid to semi- arid zone with low and unpredictable rainfall. The country has an exceptionally low per capita water supply at less them 200 cubic meters per annum; one of the lowest on record world wide. This situation is exacerbated by increasing demand for water resulting from rapid growth in population due in part to the arrival of refugees and displaced persons, increased urbanization. improved standard of living and the continuing demands for irrigation. The gap between total demand and water supply is estimated by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) at about 336 MCM in 2005 and this to increase to about 434 MCM in 2020. To minimize the negative impact of this shortage one of the country water strategy is to increase the water supply through maximizing the production of treated wastewater and its use for irrigation / industry and other suitable uses in order to protect the environment and to save fresh water for drinking purposes. At present 90% of the population are served by piped water and 65% by sewerage network with 22 treatment plants producing the equivalent to 10% of the total water resources. This will increase to reach, in 2020, about 18.6% of the total water resources. To ensure the implementation of the reuse projects successfully the country has created the Water Use and Environment Unit supported by the necessary legislative and institutional frame work and human resources development programme and by the establishment of the high level National Water Reuse Co-ordinating Committee, representing all those Concerned in the government agencies and the private sector.