Najjar, USAID mission director sign water loss reduction agreement

AMMAN — Water and Irrigation Minister Mohammad Al Najjar, and the USAID Acting Mission Director Margaret Spears on Thursday signed an agreement for the third phase of a nationwide project to reduce water loss.

This phase of the project has $250 million in financing, with an additional contribution of approximately $75 million from the ministry. The project is scheduled to be implemented over a period of six years, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The project aims to reduce water loss that stems from various factors, such as network and infrastructure deterioration, meter errors, unauthorised water source usage and water theft. This initiative aligns with the national strategy to decrease water losses to under 25 per cent by 2040, he noted

He also expressed gratitude for the significant and ongoing support from the US to improve water resource management, enhance network infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of the water supply systems.

Spears noted that this phase of the USAID Water Loss Reduction Project aligns with the national water strategy of the Kingdom for coming years. 

The cumulative value of financing across all four phases reached $689.1 million, she said, adding that the new agreement complements the memorandum of understanding signed between the Jordanian government and the US government, further addressing the water challenges faced by the sector.

The project's key focus includes rehabilitating infrastructure, developing monitoring and control systems for water companies, using modern technological advancements and providing training and technical assistance to sector employees. These efforts aim to ensure continuous water supply for the Jordanian people and enhance water security for future generations, she said.