5. Water Policy in Jordan

Jordan’s water resources are estimated at a long-term average value of 8191 MCM/year. Groundwater accounts for about 61% of water supply. Water scarcity threatens Jordan’s development. About 93.5% of the country receives less than 200 mm of rainfall, and only 0.7% of the country has annual precipitation of more than 500 mm. Drought-occurrence periods are one of the most serious factors affecting water supply. The quality of treated effluent allowed to be discharged into Wadies follows Jordanian Standards. Exploitation of the aquifers increases the salinity level. One of the main weak institutional performances in Jordan’s water sector is the overlapping responsibilities between the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), with Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), and Jordan Rift Valley Authority (JRVA). Renewable water supply currently only meets about half of total water consumption. This is caused by unsustainable groundwater extraction, including thousands of illegal private wells. Despite the huge investments in the water sector programmed through the year 2025 the future food and water security is under threat unless the government strategy is fully implemented. The water deficit will grow from about 160 Mm³ in 2015 to 490 Mm³ by 2025. Without new water sources, only 90 m³ per capita per year will be available by 2025. The Disi water conveyance project and the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal will help increase the supply, but will not be sufficient to satisfy long-term demand. A combination of reduced demand and rationing distribution programs for domestic uses as well as the re-use of wastewater flows for irrigated agriculture will likely help bridge the gap.