AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has removed an illegal pipe in Um Al Amad in south Amman as part of a nationwide crackdown on water theft, according to a government official.
The violators extended a pipe from a main water conveyor and have been pumping 1,200 cubic metres of water daily, a source at the ministry said on Saturday.
“The violators were transferring the water to irrigate their farm in Um Al Amad and also pumped water into tankers and sold it to people,” the source told The Jordan Times.
The area was suffering from supply disruptions, he said, noting that a team comprising members from the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna), the Gendarmerie and the Royal Badia Forces headed to Um Al Amad.
The ministry, which initiated a national campaign in August last year to prevent water theft and vandalism of water resources, intends to put an end to these violations.
Hundreds of illegal water pipes were removed over the past months, while scores of unlicensed wells were sealed, according to officials.
Earlier this month, the government gave the Water Ministry the authority to deal “strictly” with all forms of violations on the water network in cooperation with district governors, the Public Security Department and the Gendarmerie.
“Therefore, the ministry is moving ahead with its campaign and is targeting areas where frequent violations on water resources occur,” the source noted.
Most networks that suffer from recurring violations are located in south Amman, the Jordan Valley, Mafraq and Zarqa, according to the ministry.
