51,420 illegal fixtures dismantled as Water ministry steps up crackdown

AMMAN — The Water Ministry has sealed a total of 1,220 wells and dismantled 51,420 illegal fixtures on water mains across the Kingdom since the launch of a nationwide campaign in June 2013 to preserve water resources, Water Minister Raed Abul Saud said on Sunday. 

Abul Saud told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that intensifying campaigns to stop attacks on water mains and resources is a government priority, noting that 73 illegal drilling rigs have been seized.

The minister also added that the continuous efforts of the ministry’s personnel led to removing more than 19,950 violations on the facilities of the King Abdullah Canal, noting that such violations included stealing fences and safety equipment installed along the canal to prevent drowning incidents.

The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) collected a total of JD3.8 million in fines for the water extracted from illegal wells, Abul Saud said, noting that there are still more than 300 cases at relevant judicial authorities.

In 1997, the ministry banned the drilling of wells to limit random pumping of water and preserve aquifers from depletion and salinity.

International studies indicate that water levels at several aquifers have been dropping at a rate of one metre per year, according to the ministry, which noted that more than 50 million cubic metres of underground water is being extracted through indiscriminate pumping.

Under the WAJ Law, those who tamper with water carriers and mains, wastewater, pumping, purification or desalination stations, or cause the pollution of water resources, pipes or stations used for drinking water, or are involved in the digging of wells without obtaining a licence will be jailed for up to five years and fined up to JD7,000. 

In addition, violators of WAJ water and wastewater projects will be jailed for up to three years and fined up to JD5,000.

All penalties stipulated under the new law will be doubled in the case of repeat offenders, according to the ministry, which said that Article 31 of the legislation classifies water conveyance schemes and pipes as “strategic and vital projects”.