Miyahuna to take over water operations in Balqa

AMMAN — The Water Authority of Jordan’s (WAJ) company Miyahuna will take over water and wastewater services of Balqa Governorate as of October, where the rate of water loss is among the highest in Jordan.

 Minister of Water and Irrigation Munir Owais announced the decision on Wednesday during a meeting with the press, when he said that the step seeks to improve Balqa’s water supply and cut its water loss, which stands at a high of 69 per cent.

 “The Cabinet has approved an agreement between the Water Authority of Jordan and Miyahuna, under which the latter will manage and operate water and wastewater services in Balqa,” Oweis said.

 Miyahunaís takeover of water and wastewater services in Balqa will happen gradually, according to the minister, who said that water and wastewater services of Fuheis and Mahes will become Miyahuna’s responsibility as of October 1, Ain Al Basha in April 1, 2019 and Al Salt District will follow in October 1 of next year in accordance with management contracts.

 Fully owned by WAJ, Miyahuna started operating water and wastewater systems in 1999 and in 2007 was authorised by WAJ to manage and operate water and wastewater services for 99 years.

 In October 2013, Miyahuna took over the water and wastewater services of Madaba Governorate, where it has 30,000 subscribers.

Madaba, 30km southwest of Amman, receives its water mainly from the Waleh and Heidan wells.

In January 2015, the company started supplying water and wastewater services to 150,000 people in Zarqa, while in Amman, the company supplies 600,000 subscribers with water and wastewater services, 80 per cent of whom are linked to the sewage network.

 Located 29 kilometres west of Amman, Balqa has 60,000 water subscribers, according to official figures.

 Oweis stressed that in addition to improving the quality of water and wastewater services in the governorate and reducing its water loss, Miyahuna will also train the employees of Balqa’s water directorate in order to raise their efficiency and capabilities.

 In addition, the minister said, Miyahuna will also improve the financial performance of the water sector in Balqa by increasing the rates of billing and collection.

 He noted that the company will be evaluated according to performance indicators and will be supervised by a committee headed by the water minister.