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AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation said Tuesday that ensuring water supplies for citizens and all sectors across the Kingdom remains a top national priority, amid reports that the government may purchase additional quantities of water from Israel.
A source from the Water Ministry said in a statement that the government had prepared and begun implementing alternative plans and contingency measures since last year to safeguard the national interest and ensure uninterrupted water supplies under all possible scenarios.
The source emphasised that “Jordan continues to receive its water entitlements as stipulated under the [1994 Wadi Araba Peace Treaty].”
The contingency plans, the source added, include rehabilitating and increasing the productivity of existing wells, drilling and equipping new wells in cooperation with the private sector, expanding the use of non-conventional water sources such as saline wells, and intensifying efforts to curb illegal use of water resources.
According to the ministry, these measures have recovered additional water supplies, helping to reduce part of the country's drinking water deficit.
The ministry added that it is continuing efforts, in coordination with relevant authorities, to achieve financial close for the National Water Carrier Project.
Once implemented, the project is expected to supply 300 million cubic meters of water annually, meeting most of Jordan's water needs and helping address the country's chronic water shortage, the ministry said.
