Environment ministry launches project to support rainwater harvesting

AMMAN — The Ministry of Environment on Monday launched the Jordan Heavy Rainwater Harvesting project, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The launch came during the inauguration of a research workshop on preparing for expected floods caused by climate change.

Secretary General of the Environment Ministry Muhammad Khashasneh said that the study will focus on Amman and the area ending in Petra along Wadi Araba.

The study will not be exclusive to identifying the locations of expected torrential rains, but will also attempt to find innovative solutions for water collection, to contribute to water security and avoid any potential disasters, he added.

He pointed out that the project will be implemented in partnership with six German universities and scientific research institutions that specialise in the study of climate disasters, along with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Greater Amman Municipality, the Petra Regional Authority and the National Centre for Agricultural Research.

Funded by the German Ministry of Education and the International Partnerships for Sustainable Innovations, the project comes within the ministry’s effort to adapt to climatic conditions based on analysing climate change trends, and learn more about the past and future temperature changes and precipitation patterns.