Seven water theft cases uncovered in south Amman

AMMAN — Authorities on Tuesday uncovered seven major water theft cases, under which over 60,000 cubic metres of freshwater were being diverted monthly from a carrier that supplies south Amman subscribers, according to a government official.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) and security forces raided seven locations in Muwaqqar, after verifying reports on major violations causing disruption in water supply to south Amman.

“Illegal pipelines were installed on a main water carrier that supplies south Amman with water. The illegal pipelines were diverting more than 2,000 cubic metres of municipal water every day to locations set up for filling tankers and selling water to people and also to farms and houses,” an official at the ministry told The Jordan Times.

The daily water per capita share in Jordan ranges between 80-100 litres, depending on the location, while annual per capita share stands at around 145 cubic metres, the official said.

Authorities removed the violations and are in the process of estimating the cost of the stolen water, according to the official, who added that “the authorities are in the process of identifying owners of the lands, houses and farms to which the illegal pipelines were diverting the water”.

A total of 38,213 violations on water networks and resources have been stopped since the launch of an ongoing ministry campaign launched in 2013. In addition, a total of 1,063 illegal wells have been sealed, and 62 drilling rigs confiscated. 

At courts, there are 286 water-related cases against violators, while the ministry collected JD3.45 million in cost of water pumped from illegal wells, according to the ministry.

Stiffer penalties for infractions against the water system have been introduced under the amended Water Authority of Jordan Law. Those who abuse water carriers and mains, wastewater, pumping, purification or desalination stations, cause the pollution of water resources, pipes or stations used for drinking water, dig or are involved in the digging of wells without obtaining a licence face a prison sentence of up to five years and fines of up to JD7,000.

In addition, violators of water and wastewater projects can be jailed for up to three years and fined up to JD5,000 under the amendments while all penalties are doubled in the case of repeat offences.