Cut in power cable disrupts water supply in Maan

AMMAN – Water supply in the southern governorate of Maan was disrupted on Wednesday after a contractor cut an electricity cable powering the city's pumps and stations, according to a government official.

The electricity cut caused a disruption in the water distribution programme to all households and institutions in Maan, Jordan's largest governorate by terrain, the official at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation said on Wednesday.

"The contractor, who is working for Maan Municipality, was planting palm date trees when the the electricity cable was accidently cut. The cable powers the pumps that extract water from the wells and transfer it to the city's reservoir," said the official, preferring to remain unnamed.

By Wednesday afternoon, the pumps and stations resumed operation after the electricity was secured from Shoubak's grid, the official said, highlighting that hundreds of households have already missed their turn under the water distribution programme due to the power cut.

"Contractors are requested to act responsibly during excavations as damaging a cable or a water main deprived hundreds of households from their right to water and also puts additional financial burdens on the ministry," the official told The Jordan Times.

The ministry announced earlier this week that it will start enforcement of the modified Water Authority of Jordan Law number 22 for the year 2014 against contractors working on projects across the country.

The law stipulates that a contractor who damages any of the water and wastewater carriers or pipelines will be jailed up to three years and fined up to JD5,000.

The announcement comes after recurring water cuts resulting from contractors’ negligence to coordinate with the ministry, its authorities and directorates before embarking on any digging.