Three cases of water theft uncovered in Jiza

AMMAN — Authorities on Thursday discovered three illegal fixtures on water mains in south Amman which were diverting some 5,000 cubic metres of water to nearby farms, according to a government official.

Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) and Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) teams were conducting a routine check of water pipes in the area when they discovered the three illegal fixtures on a water main passing through Jiza District, south of the capital.

The first illegal pipe was diverting 50 cubic metres of water per hour to a farm via a culvert beneath the desert road, while the second was diverting 100 cubic metres per hour, the official said on condition of anonymity.

He added that the third fixture was being used to steal more than 50 cubic metres of water per hour and channel it to a nearby farm 

“A team from Miyahuna and WAJ, escorted by a security team from the Gendarmerie and the Royal Badia Forces, removed the illegal pipes. The amount and cost of the stolen water has been estimated and the offenders will be referred for legal action,” the official told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation launched a nationwide campaign in July 2013 to end violations on the water network and resources, as water theft accounts for 70 per cent of water loss in the Kingdom.

Since the campaign started, joint teams have removed more than 16,072 illegal fixtures on pipes, sealed 644 illegal wells and confiscated 159 drilling rigs used to dig illegal wells.

Those who abuse water mains; wastewater, pumping, purification or desalination stations; or cause the pollution of water resources, pipes or stations used for drinking water; and dig or are involved in the digging of wells without obtaining a licence, face a prison sentence of up to five years and fines up to JD7,000.

In addition, violators of water and wastewater projects are jailed for up to three years and fined up to JD5,000, according to the amended WAJ Law.

All penalties stipulated under the new law are doubled in the case of repeat offences.