Authorities dismantle fixtures siphoning off drinking water to brick plant

AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation on Thursday said that it had uncovered a violation on a water main in Muwaqqar area, which was used to supply a brick and marble plant with large quantities of water. 

The ministry said that it implemented a campaign, in coordination with the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna), Gendarmerie personnel and Royal Badia Forces, which uncovered a fixture that was illegally installed to divert large quantities of drinking water to serve the plant.

The diversion affected water provision for citizens in Muwaqqar and other southern Amman neighbourhoods, added the ministry in a statement that was carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The illegal fixture was dismantled and relevant authorities embarked on an investigation to arrest the suspects.

The ministry underlined that the national campaign to end all forms of water theft and violations is still ongoing, urging the public to cooperate with the authorities by reporting violations on water resources and networks.

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.